Rabbit Disease Pneumonia
Rabbit Disease Pneumonia occurs when there is a severe irritation of the lungs leading to dysfunction of the entire respiratory system. This irritation may be due to a bacterial, fungal, viral or parasitic infection. It may also be because the rabbit has inhaled a foreign object into its lung.
Cause: Rabbit Disease Pneumonia is caused by a bacteria or virus infection. It is usually related to other respiratory diseases or stress factors such as humid, drafty and dirty hutches.
Symptoms: High temperature, Difficult breathing, Nasal discharge and Loss of appetite.
Prevention: Control of “Snuffles” reduces chances of pneumonia. Also, remove drafts and wet conditions.
Treatment: Treatment may vary depending upon the connective agent. Probably a broad spectrum antibiotic may be helpful.
Rabbit Disease – Malocclusion “Buck teeth”
A malocclusion (Rabbit Disease) is a misalignment or incorrect relation between the teeth of the two dental arches when they approach each other as the jaws close.
Cause: An inherited condition categorized by excessive growth of the front teeth.
Symptoms: Lower teeth protrude and upper teeth curve into the mouth.
Prevention: Do not use rabbits with “buck teeth” for breeding purposes.
Treatment: Teeth on young rabbits can be trimmed until they reach slaughter weight.
Rabbit Disease – Pasteurellosis “Snuffles”
Pasteurellosis is an infection with a species of the bacterial genus Pasteurella. Pasteurella multocida is carried in the mouth and respiratory tract.
Cause: A chronic upper respiratory disease caused by bacterial infection.
Symptoms: Typical early signs are a nasal discharge, watery eyes, head shaking, sneezing or brisk noise in breathing and a loss of weight. While continual infection may cause rabbits to become sterile.
Prevention: Quarantine all new rabbits for a 3 week period. Cull rabbits that show continuous chronic symptoms of the disease. Also, reduce stress factors. Have good management and sanitation practices.
Treatment: Tetracycline in the feed may be effective in an uncomplicated case. For accurate treatment, the organism needs to be cultured and identified.