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Rabbits contract bacterial, fungal, viral, internal and external parasites,
and metabolic diseases.
Bacterial diseases
Pasteurellosis is a highly contagious disease in domesticated rabbits. It is
transmitted by direct and indirect contact.
Symptoms:
Inflammation of nose, pneumonia, infection of middle ear, conjunctivitis,
abscesses, breast infection, and septicemia.
Diagnosis: Based on physical appearance and isolation of the
causative agent. Fluorescent antibody test on nasal swabs will identify the
carrier.
Treatment: Difficult because of the nature of the
bacteria.
Snuffles (pasteurella) Caused by bacteria
Symptoms: Initially a thin, serous discharge from the nose and
eyes then it becomes a thicker discharge. Infected rabbets sneeze and
cough.
Pneumonia is bacterial disease and common in rabbits. It can affect
young and adult rabbits.
Symptoms: Not eating, listless, and hardly taking breathe, and
have temperature.
Diagnosis: Based on isolation and identification of
bacteria.
Treatment: Possible with antibiotics.
Wry Neck
The infection and accumulation of mucus in the middle ear.
Symptom: Twisted head.
Treatment: Long term antibiotics.
Weepy Eye Caused by bacterial infection. Both young and
adult rabbits can get infected.
Symptoms: Rubbing the eye with front paws.
Diagnosis: Based on isolation and identification of the
causative agent from the eye.
Treatment: Antibiotics.
Abscesses (swelling) Caused by bacterial infection. It may
be found any where in the body, at any age.
Symptoms: Lumps under the skin, rabbit would be lethargic, and
possibly die within 48 hr.
Diagnosis: Based on isolation and identification of the causative
agent.
Treatment: By draining the abscess and using antibiotics.
Genital Infection Caused by bacterial infection.
Symptoms: Inflammation of reproductive tract. The infected buck
might have large testicle and thick discharge will come from female
vagina.
Treatment: Possible by long term antibiotic therapy.
Syphilis A venereal disease caused by spirochete. This
disease infects domesticated rabbits and does not transmit to other animals or
people.
Symptoms:
Small vesicles or ulcers on the surface of genital region
then change to scab.
Deferential Diagnosis: Hutch burn.
Diagnosis: Based on lesion appearance and isolation of the
causative agent.
Treatment: Possible with antibiotics.
Diarrhea: Most likely caused by bacterial infection.
Different aged rabbits have different symptoms, depending on the bacteria.
Symptoms: Not eating, lethargic behavior, low body temperature,
dehydration, rough coat, and anal area are covered with feces. In most cases
the rabbit may die without ever showing symptoms.
Diagnosis: Based on isolation and identification of the causative
agent of the disease.
Treatment: Depends on the stage of sickness and kind of
bacteria.
Ringworm Rabbits living with poor sanitation are most
likely to be infected.
Symptoms: Lesion will start on the head, and then spread all
over the body. The lesions are circular, raised, reddened, and capped with
white, bran like, flaky material.
Diagnosis: Based on isolation and identification of causative
agent.
Treatment: Is possible with antifungal agents.
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