Rabbit Diseases Rabbit Diseases

Bacterial and Mycotic Bacterial and Mycotic DiseasesDiseases

At the conclusion of this program, At the conclusion of this program, you should be able to state the you should be able to state the significance and etiologic agents of significance and etiologic agents of the following diseases in rabbits the following diseases in rabbits maintained for research, testing, or maintained for research, testing, or teaching: Pasteurellosis, entero-teaching: Pasteurellosis, entero-toxemia, mucoid enteropathy, toxemia, mucoid enteropathy, treponematosis, mastitis, Tyzzer's treponematosis, mastitis, Tyzzer's Disease, and superficial mycosis. Disease, and superficial mycosis.

PasteurellosisPasteurellosis – – “Snuffles”“Snuffles”

Most common disease of domestic rabbitsMost common disease of domestic rabbitsEtiology: Pasteurella multocida Etiology: Pasteurella multocida It is a bacterial infection that gains access to It is a bacterial infection that gains access to

the nasal cavity, then migrates to almost any the nasal cavity, then migrates to almost any organ in the bodyorgan in the body. It can migrate via the . It can migrate via the eustachian tube to the ear, via the eustachian tube to the ear, via the nasolacrimal duct to the conjunctiva, or by nasolacrimal duct to the conjunctiva, or by way of the trachea to the lungs. It can be way of the trachea to the lungs. It can be carried by the blood stream, to cause carried by the blood stream, to cause abscesses and lesions in internal organs, abscesses and lesions in internal organs, such as heart, lungs, and reproductive such as heart, lungs, and reproductive systems. It can also gain access through skin systems. It can also gain access through skin wounds to cause subcutaneous abscesses. wounds to cause subcutaneous abscesses.

Pasteurellosis – “Snuffles”Pasteurellosis – “Snuffles”

Clinical Signs:Clinical Signs:

The classic clinical The classic clinical manifestation of manifestation of pasteurellosis pasteurellosis is a is a mucopurulent nasal mucopurulent nasal discharge that can discharge that can be accompanied by be accompanied by sneezing, coughing, sneezing, coughing, and snuffling sounds. and snuffling sounds.

These signs account These signs account for the common for the common name of "snuffles" name of "snuffles" that is given to the that is given to the condition.condition.

Clinical signs cont…Clinical signs cont…

Exudate on Exudate on forepawsforepaws

The nasal exudate The nasal exudate may be wiped may be wiped onto the medial onto the medial aspects of the aspects of the forepaws forepaws

Signs -- red eyeSigns -- red eye

The signs of The signs of pasteurellosis will pasteurellosis will be related to be related to impairment of the impairment of the organs that are organs that are involved. involved.

The conjunctiva The conjunctiva may be may be red and red and swollen with swollen with serous to purulent serous to purulent exudate exudate that may that may mat on the fur. mat on the fur.

TorticollisTorticollis

Torticollis, or head Torticollis, or head tilt, may be seen tilt, may be seen as the result of as the result of middle or inner middle or inner ear infectionear infection, or , or subcutaneous subcutaneous abscesses may be abscesses may be found.found.

PyometriaPyometria

This image shows a This image shows a pus-filled pus-filled uterus uterus (pyometria) (pyometria) caused caused by pasteurella by pasteurella infection. infection.

Uterine involvement Uterine involvement will result in sterility will result in sterility and possibly a and possibly a vaginal discharge vaginal discharge

Diagnosis: cultureDiagnosis: culture

- Pasteurellosis is caused Pasteurellosis is caused by by Pasteurella Pasteurella multocida,multocida, a a small, small, gram-negative, bipolar gram-negative, bipolar staining,staining, ovoid rod that ovoid rod that produces an endotoxin. produces an endotoxin.

- Most isolates form Most isolates form circular, convex, smooth circular, convex, smooth white colonies on white colonies on dextrose starch or blood dextrose starch or blood agar, as seen on this agar, as seen on this image image

Transmission Transmission

Rabbits can be Rabbits can be infected infected prior to weaning by prior to weaning by contact with infected contact with infected dams. Post weaning, dams. Post weaning, the disease can also be the disease can also be transmitted by direct transmitted by direct contact or by fomitescontact or by fomites. .

The disease can also be The disease can also be transmitted venereally if transmitted venereally if the reproductive organs the reproductive organs are infected. are infected.

Aeorsol trans-mission Aeorsol trans-mission can occur, but it is not can occur, but it is not as likely a method of as likely a method of transmission as direct transmission as direct contact. contact.

Summary of clinical Summary of clinical findings/confirmationfindings/confirmation

A presumptive diagnosis of pasteurellosis is A presumptive diagnosis of pasteurellosis is made from the common made from the common clinical findings: clinical findings: nasal discharge, sneezing and snuffling nasal discharge, sneezing and snuffling sounds, conjunctivitis, torticollis, sounds, conjunctivitis, torticollis, subcutaneous abscesses, swollen testicles, subcutaneous abscesses, swollen testicles, vaginal discharge, sterility. vaginal discharge, sterility.

A definitive diagnosis is made by isolation A definitive diagnosis is made by isolation and identification of and identification of Pasteurella multocidaPasteurella multocida from the affected tissues. from the affected tissues.

Necropsy - exudate in nasal Necropsy - exudate in nasal passagespassages

This is the This is the longitudinal section longitudinal section of the head of a of the head of a rabbit that has had rabbit that has had severe nasal severe nasal discharge. discharge.

The necropsy The necropsy showed showed mucopurulent mucopurulent exudate in the nasal exudate in the nasal passages and passages and sinusessinuses..

Necropsy - pneumoniaNecropsy - pneumonia

Necropsy may also Necropsy may also reveal areas of reveal areas of consolidation in consolidation in lungslungs, seen here as , seen here as the more intensely the more intensely colored lower colored lower portions of the lung portions of the lung lobes or abscessed lobes or abscessed lungs with lungs with consolidation, as consolidation, as seen on this image.seen on this image.

TreatmentTreatment Antibiotics are sometimes used in an attempt to Antibiotics are sometimes used in an attempt to

treat pasteurellosis. Many strains are sensitive to treat pasteurellosis. Many strains are sensitive to penicillinpenicillin. Injections of 40,000 IU of penicillin G . Injections of 40,000 IU of penicillin G per kilogram of body weight may be given IM at per kilogram of body weight may be given IM at 8-hour intervals for 7- 10 days. 8-hour intervals for 7- 10 days.

Another antimicrobial reported to be effective is Another antimicrobial reported to be effective is trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxizole (24% suspension) trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxizole (24% suspension) at a rate of 0.125 ml per kilogram of body weight, at a rate of 0.125 ml per kilogram of body weight, given subcutaneously in a single daily dose or given subcutaneously in a single daily dose or divided into two doses. divided into two doses.

And recently And recently Enrofloxacin, at a dose of 5 mg/kg Enrofloxacin, at a dose of 5 mg/kg of of body weight, has been reported as an effective body weight, has been reported as an effective treatment. treatment.

““Snuffles”Snuffles”

Treatment/control Treatment/control Strict culling of Strict culling of infected animals infected animals is is practiced in some practiced in some colonies, and may be colonies, and may be useful in the control useful in the control of the disease. of the disease. Cultures of the deep Cultures of the deep anterior nares, ELISA anterior nares, ELISA

PreventionPrevention pasteurellosis is pasteurellosis is best accomplished best accomplished by by purchasing purchasing animals from a animals from a pasteurella-free pasteurella-free colony colony and and isolating them to isolating them to prevent exposure prevent exposure to to P. multocidaP. multocida

Enterotoxemia/colitisEnterotoxemia/colitis Enterotoxemia is a peracute to subacute disease Enterotoxemia is a peracute to subacute disease

most most commonly seen in weanling rabbits commonly seen in weanling rabbits Infection by Clostridium and production of Infection by Clostridium and production of

Clostridial toxins -- most commonly the toxin Clostridial toxins -- most commonly the toxin produced by produced by Clostridium spiroformeClostridium spiroforme. .

Factors that can upset normal homeostasis Factors that can upset normal homeostasis include changes in feed, temperature include changes in feed, temperature fluctuations, stress of weaning, and fluctuations, stress of weaning, and administration of antibiotics, including administration of antibiotics, including lincomycin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, clindamycin, lincomycin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, clindamycin, erythromycin, and penicillin erythromycin, and penicillin

Clinical signs Clinical signs

The primary sign The primary sign associated with associated with subacute disease subacute disease is is profuse watery diarrhea. profuse watery diarrhea.

The perineum, medial The perineum, medial and caudal surfaces of and caudal surfaces of the rear legs, and the the rear legs, and the lower abdomen will be lower abdomen will be covered with greenish covered with greenish to "tarry" black-brown to "tarry" black-brown fecal materialfecal material. .

Sometimes there will be Sometimes there will be blood in the fecesblood in the feces, as , as shown on this image. shown on this image.

DiagnosisDiagnosis Gram staining Gram staining This field is filled with This field is filled with

the organisms, which the organisms, which have an easily have an easily recognizable helically-recognizable helically-coiled semicircular coiled semicircular shape. shape.

Treatment Treatment

Treatment is generally not Treatment is generally not successful, especially in the acute successful, especially in the acute cases. cases.

There are some reported successes There are some reported successes with use of with use of metronidazole, especially metronidazole, especially when combined with terramycin when combined with terramycin

NecropsyNecropsy

Necropsy will show Necropsy will show hemorrhages, hemorrhages, frequently in a frequently in a paintbrush confor-paintbrush confor-mation on the serosa mation on the serosa of the cecum of the cecum (as (as seen on this image), seen on this image),

Treponematosis – ”Syphilis Treponematosis – ”Syphilis ““

Etiology: Etiology: Treponema Treponema paraluis-cuniculiparaluis-cuniculi

Treponematosis is also Treponematosis is also known as rabbit syphilis, known as rabbit syphilis, vent disease, or vent disease, or venereal spirochetosis. venereal spirochetosis.

The disease is The disease is contracted venereally or contracted venereally or by young rabbits in by young rabbits in contact with an infected contact with an infected dam. dam.

Clinical signsClinical signs

The disease is The disease is characterized by characterized by dry, crusty exudate dry, crusty exudate overlying ulcers in overlying ulcers in the skin and the skin and mucous mucous membranesmembranes. . Lesions commonly Lesions commonly occur on the vulva occur on the vulva (shown here), (shown here), prepuce, and anus. prepuce, and anus.

Typical lesionsTypical lesions

Lesions can also Lesions can also occur on the occur on the nose, nose, eyelids, and lipseyelids, and lips. . This shallow ulcer This shallow ulcer is typical of is typical of treponematosis. treponematosis.

DiagnosisDiagnosis

Diagnosis is Diagnosis is confirmed by confirmed by Darkfield examination Darkfield examination of scrapings from the of scrapings from the lesions for the lesions for the presence of the presence of the spirochete spirochete Treponema paraluis-Treponema paraluis-cuniculicuniculi. .

Treatment Treatment Treponematosis can Treponematosis can be treated be treated successfully with three successfully with three injections of injections of Benzathine penicillin Benzathine penicillin with procaine with procaine penicillin G, 84,000 penicillin G, 84,000 IU/kg given IM at 7-IU/kg given IM at 7-day intervalsday intervals. .

All animals from an All animals from an infected colony must infected colony must be treated to be treated to eradicate the diseaseeradicate the disease

There are NO public There are NO public health hazards health hazards associated with the associated with the disease. disease.

Mastitis Mastitis

Mastitis in the rabbit is similar to Mastitis in the rabbit is similar to acute mastitis in other species. It acute mastitis in other species. It affects lactating does and affects lactating does and occasionally also occurs in does with occasionally also occurs in does with pseudocyesis, or false pregnancy.pseudocyesis, or false pregnancy.

The most commonly involved The most commonly involved bacteria are bacteria are Staphylococcus aureusStaphylococcus aureus, , Pasteurella multocidaPasteurella multocida, and , and Streptococcus sppStreptococcus spp. .

The mammary glands The mammary glands become swollen, firm, become swollen, firm, and hotand hot. Additional . Additional signs are fever and loss signs are fever and loss of appetite. of appetite.

There may be illness and There may be illness and death among the pups. death among the pups.

Death of the doe may Death of the doe may follow due to bacterial follow due to bacterial toxemia and septicemia toxemia and septicemia

Treatment/control Treatment/control

Affected does should be isolated and Affected does should be isolated and given given penicillin G- 60,000 IU/kg twice penicillin G- 60,000 IU/kg twice daily for 3 - 5 daysdaily for 3 - 5 days. Pups should be . Pups should be disposed of, as they may spread the disposed of, as they may spread the disease if allowed to nurse on disease if allowed to nurse on another doe. another doe.

Hand raise?Hand raise?

Tyzzer's Disease Tyzzer's Disease

Tyzzer's Disease occurs in rabbits. It Tyzzer's Disease occurs in rabbits. It is characterized by is characterized by acute watery acute watery diarrhea. diarrhea.

The disease often causes The disease often causes death 6 to death 6 to 48 hours after the onset of clinical 48 hours after the onset of clinical signssigns

Review from rodent species Review from rodent species

MYCOTIC DISEASESMYCOTIC DISEASES

The only mycotic disease of rabbits The only mycotic disease of rabbits that is likely to require veterinary that is likely to require veterinary care is dermatophytosis, commonly care is dermatophytosis, commonly known as known as ringworm.ringworm.

Etiology: Etiology: Trichophyton Trichophyton mentagrophytesmentagrophytes

Clinical signs Clinical signs It is a superficial It is a superficial

infection characterized infection characterized by patchy areas of by patchy areas of hair loss, most hair loss, most commonly on the commonly on the headhead. .

The lesions are The lesions are pruritic, and there pruritic, and there may be secondary may be secondary spread to paws and spread to paws and other parts of the other parts of the body.body.

Clinical signs Clinical signs

The lesions tend to spread outward; and are dry, The lesions tend to spread outward; and are dry, crusty, and scalely at the periphery. crusty, and scalely at the periphery.

Dermatophytosis is a zoonotic diseaseDermatophytosis is a zoonotic disease, and , and gloves and other protective clothing must be gloves and other protective clothing must be worn when handling animals that may be worn when handling animals that may be affected. affected.

DiagnosisDiagnosis

Dermatophytosis is seen more commonly Dermatophytosis is seen more commonly in pets and backyard rabbitries than in in pets and backyard rabbitries than in laboratory colonieslaboratory colonies, because of higher , because of higher hygienic standards in laboratories. hygienic standards in laboratories.

DTM???DTM???

Treatment Treatment

Lesions can be treated topically with Lesions can be treated topically with antifungal agents, but this is best antifungal agents, but this is best combined with griseofulvin treatment. combined with griseofulvin treatment.

Griseofulvin can be administered orally by Griseofulvin can be administered orally by gavage at a level of 25 mg/kg of body gavage at a level of 25 mg/kg of body weight or in the feed at 0.750 gm/kg of weight or in the feed at 0.750 gm/kg of feed. Treatments should be continued for feed. Treatments should be continued for 14 - 21 days.14 - 21 days.

PARASITIC,PARASITIC,PROTOZOAL, AND PROTOZOAL, AND VIRAL DISEASESVIRAL DISEASES

Parasitic Diseases Parasitic Diseases

The primary parasitic diseases that The primary parasitic diseases that we will consider in this program are we will consider in this program are ear mite infestation or ear mite infestation or otoacariasis, otoacariasis, caused bycaused by Psoroptes cuniculi, Psoroptes cuniculi, and fur and fur mite infestation caused bymite infestation caused by Cheyletiella parasitivoraxCheyletiella parasitivorax

Ear mite Ear mite

Ear mite infestation Ear mite infestation is very is very common in common in rabbitsrabbits. The first . The first evidence is a evidence is a dry, dry, brown, crusty brown, crusty material deep in material deep in the external ear the external ear canalcanal..

Exudate Exudate A common way to treat A common way to treat

the disease is to the disease is to tranquilize the rabbit, tranquilize the rabbit, soften the crusty soften the crusty material with a bland material with a bland mineral oil, and mineral oil, and remove the debris remove the debris from the external earfrom the external ear. .

With careful inspection With careful inspection of the exudate you can of the exudate you can see the mites, see the mites, Psoroptes cuniculiPsoroptes cuniculi, , without the aid of without the aid of magnification. magnification.

Ear mite, microscopicEar mite, microscopic

Under the Under the microscope, you microscope, you can see that the can see that the legs of the mites legs of the mites have suckers on the have suckers on the end of long, jointed end of long, jointed stalks. The eggs stalks. The eggs show as whitish show as whitish bean-shaped bean-shaped structures structures

TreatmentTreatment

After cleaning out as much as After cleaning out as much as possible of the crust, a possible of the crust, a commercially available product commercially available product containing an insecticide is containing an insecticide is applied to both earsapplied to both ears. .

An alternative treatment is a An alternative treatment is a single or biweekly single or biweekly subcutaneous subcutaneous injection of Ivermectin, at 400 injection of Ivermectin, at 400 mcg/kg. mcg/kg. The disease may recur The disease may recur with either treatment with either treatment

Fur mite “moving dandruff”Fur mite “moving dandruff”

Another mite that affects rabbits is Another mite that affects rabbits is the fur mite, the fur mite, Cheyletiella Cheyletiella parasitivoraxparasitivorax. . It is a condition that is It is a condition that is more more common in pet rabbits common in pet rabbits than in than in laboratory rabbits laboratory rabbits

Clinical signsClinical signs

As contrasted with ear As contrasted with ear mite infestation, there mite infestation, there is usually no clinical is usually no clinical disease, but severe disease, but severe infections may infections may produce produce hair loss and an oily hair loss and an oily scale. scale.

The condition is The condition is zoonoticzoonotic, , and care and care should be taken to should be taken to prevent contact with prevent contact with Cheyletiella Cheyletiella parasitivorax.parasitivorax.

Mite, microscopicMite, microscopic

The mite is a surface-The mite is a surface-dweller and does not dweller and does not burrow into the burrow into the epidermis. epidermis.

The lesions are not The lesions are not pruritic pruritic

Diagnosis and Treatment Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is by clinical signs of mild Diagnosis is by clinical signs of mild dermatitis and by microscopic dermatitis and by microscopic identification of the mites obtained identification of the mites obtained by brushing the skin and hair or by by brushing the skin and hair or by scraping the skin.scraping the skin.

Carbamate or synthetic pyrethroid Carbamate or synthetic pyrethroid powders are recommended for powders are recommended for treatment of rabbits affected by fur treatment of rabbits affected by fur mites, according to the label mites, according to the label instructions given for cats instructions given for cats

Viral Diseases Viral Diseases

MyxomatosisMyxomatosis Although viral diseases of laboratory Although viral diseases of laboratory

rabbits are rare, outbreaks of rabbits are rare, outbreaks of myxomatosis are seen occasionally myxomatosis are seen occasionally in production colonies in West Coast in production colonies in West Coast states of the United States. states of the United States.

The disease is endemic in Europe, The disease is endemic in Europe, Australia, and South America. Australia, and South America.

Noninfectious Noninfectious DiseasesDiseases

Three categoriesThree categories

Noninfectious diseases of rabbits can Noninfectious diseases of rabbits can be classified as:be classified as:

--neoplasias, neoplasias,

--heritable diseases, heritable diseases,

--management-related diseases. management-related diseases.

All are causes of morbidity and All are causes of morbidity and potential mortality in rabbits. potential mortality in rabbits.

Neoplasias-Uterine adeno - Neoplasias-Uterine adeno - carcinomacarcinoma

Uterine adenocarcinoma is Uterine adenocarcinoma is the most common the most common neoplasm of rabbitsneoplasm of rabbits. .

Firm, ovoid, hemorrhagic Firm, ovoid, hemorrhagic nodules form along the nodules form along the mesometrial junction. mesometrial junction.

They can be seen on either They can be seen on either side of the cervix in this side of the cervix in this image. image.

Late in the disease, Late in the disease, metastasis occurs, and metastasis occurs, and death results.death results.

PrevalencePrevalence

The disease is common in females The disease is common in females that reach 5 years of agethat reach 5 years of age, with , with prevalence that may exceed 50%. prevalence that may exceed 50%. Under the age of 3 years the Under the age of 3 years the prevalence is only 4%. prevalence is only 4%.

Clinical signs Clinical signs

Early clinical signs of uterine Early clinical signs of uterine adenocarcinoma are lowered fertility, adenocarcinoma are lowered fertility, smaller than normal litters, smaller than normal litters, abortions, resorbed fetuses, or abortions, resorbed fetuses, or stillbirths. stillbirths.

The early signs may be followed by a The early signs may be followed by a bloody vulvar discharge bloody vulvar discharge

DiagnosisDiagnosis

The diagnosis is The diagnosis is aided by palpation aided by palpation of the abdomen to of the abdomen to detect multiple detect multiple nodules in the nodules in the uterus and uterus and confirmed by confirmed by histologic histologic identification of identification of the tumor. the tumor.

Treatment Treatment

Hysterectomy may be an effective Hysterectomy may be an effective treatment if it is done and treatment if it is done and preventionprevention before metastasis before metastasis occurs. occurs.

If females are to be kept to an old If females are to be kept to an old age, they may be spayed as a age, they may be spayed as a preventive measure. preventive measure.

Other neoplasticOther neoplastic

Other neoplasms that rabbits are Other neoplasms that rabbits are susceptible to are (in diseases order susceptible to are (in diseases order of their frequency): of their frequency):

Lymphosarcoma.Lymphosarcoma. Embryonal nephroma.Embryonal nephroma. Bile duct adenoma. Bile duct adenoma.

Heritable diseases Heritable diseases

The second category of noninfectious The second category of noninfectious rabbit diseases is inherited rabbit diseases is inherited conditions: buphthalmia, splay leg, conditions: buphthalmia, splay leg, and mandibular prognathism and mandibular prognathism

BuphthalmiaBuphthalmia Buphthalmia is a Buphthalmia is a

congenital congenital abnormality in abnormality in production and production and removal of aqueous removal of aqueous humor from the humor from the anterior chamber of anterior chamber of the eye. the eye.

Early signs on affected Early signs on affected rabbit will have rabbit will have increased anterior increased anterior chamber size, possibly chamber size, possibly with slight cloudiness with slight cloudiness of the cornea. of the cornea.

Advanced clinical signsAdvanced clinical signs

Later, there will be Later, there will be progressive opacity, progressive opacity, increased prominence increased prominence of the eyeball, and of the eyeball, and conjunctivitis. conjunctivitis.

There may be ulceration There may be ulceration and rupture of the and rupture of the cornea with scarring cornea with scarring and vascularization; and and vascularization; and the general vigor of the the general vigor of the rabbit may be reduced. rabbit may be reduced.

The condition is most The condition is most common in rabbits of common in rabbits of the New Zealand White the New Zealand White breed breed

Buphthalmia - Characteristics Buphthalmia - Characteristics

Genetically, it is autosomal recessive with Genetically, it is autosomal recessive with incomplete penetranceincomplete penetrance

There is no evidence of pain, although There is no evidence of pain, although vision will be affected and there may be a vision will be affected and there may be a loss of vigor. loss of vigor.

There is no need for medical intervention; There is no need for medical intervention; however animals with signs of this however animals with signs of this condition should not be bred.condition should not be bred.

Tonometer useTonometer use

Buphthalmia is Buphthalmia is sometimes used as a sometimes used as a model of glaucoma model of glaucoma in humans, as both in humans, as both result from result from disturbances in disturbances in production and production and removal of aqueous removal of aqueous humor. This image humor. This image shows measurement shows measurement of the intraocular of the intraocular pressure pressure

Splay legSplay leg Splay leg is a progressive Splay leg is a progressive

condition that is condition that is generally seen by the generally seen by the time the rabbit is 4 time the rabbit is 4 months of age. months of age.

An affected animal is An affected animal is alert but unable to alert but unable to adduct one or more of its adduct one or more of its limbs; therefore it limbs; therefore it attempts to move with a attempts to move with a swimming motion. swimming motion.

Treatment and PreventionTreatment and Prevention

Splay leg may be the leading clinical Splay leg may be the leading clinical sign of any of several morphologic sign of any of several morphologic mutants. mutants.

No treatment is known. No treatment is known. The condition is prevented through The condition is prevented through

breeding selected stock that do not breeding selected stock that do not show signs of the condition.show signs of the condition.

Mandibular prognathismMandibular prognathism The third inherited condition common to The third inherited condition common to

rabbits is mandibular prognathism, or rabbits is mandibular prognathism, or malocclusion.malocclusion.

Treatment Treatment As a rabbit's incisor teeth As a rabbit's incisor teeth

grow 4" per year, it is grow 4" per year, it is necessary to clip them necessary to clip them (but not too close) (but not too close)

    Dog nail clippers Dog nail clippers (Rescoe or White styles), (Rescoe or White styles), bone or wire cutters and bone or wire cutters and a rotary tool with disc a rotary tool with disc attachment (shown in attachment (shown in photo) may be used to photo) may be used to trim teeth.  trim teeth. 

Care should be taken to Care should be taken to prevent shattering the prevent shattering the incisors.  . incisors.  .

Management-Related Conditions Management-Related Conditions

Five conditions that everyone using Five conditions that everyone using rabbits should be on guard for are:rabbits should be on guard for are:

1.1. ulcerative pododermatitis ulcerative pododermatitis

2.2. traumatic vertebral traumatic vertebral dislocation/fracturedislocation/fracture

3.3. gastric trichobezoarsgastric trichobezoars

4.4. moist dermatitismoist dermatitis

5.5. nutritional deficienciesnutritional deficiencies

Ulcerative pododermatitisUlcerative pododermatitis

Ulcerative pododermatitis Ulcerative pododermatitis in rabbits is commonly in rabbits is commonly called "sore hocks."called "sore hocks." Dry or abscessed lesions Dry or abscessed lesions develop on the plantar develop on the plantar surface of the meta- surface of the meta- tarsal area, due to tarsal area, due to pressure. They later pressure. They later develop into develop into hyperkeratotic, chronic hyperkeratotic, chronic inflammation, and the inflammation, and the rabbit will be reluctant to rabbit will be reluctant to move. move.

Predisposing factorsPredisposing factors

Predisposing Predisposing factors for factors for pododermatitis pododermatitis include a rough include a rough cage floor such as cage floor such as woven wire, a woven wire, a heavy, mature heavy, mature animal and, animal and, according to according to some, overgrown some, overgrown toenails.toenails.

Treatment Treatment

Treatment is directed Treatment is directed toward eliminating the toward eliminating the causes and applying causes and applying antiseptic or antibiotic antiseptic or antibiotic ointment to the ointment to the affected areas to speed affected areas to speed recovery. recovery.

A smooth, impervious A smooth, impervious resting board should be resting board should be provided for the rabbit. provided for the rabbit. If the animal is If the animal is overweight, it should be overweight, it should be placed on a restricted placed on a restricted diet diet

Traumatic fracture/ dislocationTraumatic fracture/ dislocation

Rabbits are subject to Rabbits are subject to vertebral dislocation or vertebral dislocation or fracture. Strong fracture. Strong muscular contractions muscular contractions when a rabbit kicks can when a rabbit kicks can produce forces that produce forces that dislocate or fracture the dislocate or fracture the rabbit's relatively fragile rabbit's relatively fragile vertebral columnvertebral column

Radiograph Radiograph

The diagnosis can be The diagnosis can be confirmed by radiography or confirmed by radiography or necropsy. This radiograph necropsy. This radiograph shows a dislocation between shows a dislocation between vertebrae L4 and L5. The L7 vertebrae L4 and L5. The L7 vertebra is the most common vertebra is the most common site of fracture or dislocation. site of fracture or dislocation.

For cases exhibiting only For cases exhibiting only mild paresis, cage rest and mild paresis, cage rest and parenteral steroids may parenteral steroids may result in recovery. result in recovery.

If the animal is paralyzed, If the animal is paralyzed, treatment will not be treatment will not be successful, and it should be successful, and it should be humanely killed. humanely killed.

Hairballs (Trichobezoar) Hairballs (Trichobezoar)

Rabbits ingest hair by Rabbits ingest hair by normal grooming and as normal grooming and as a result of hair pulling by a result of hair pulling by females for nest building. females for nest building. It may then form a mat It may then form a mat that fills most of the that fills most of the stomach. The facts that stomach. The facts that rabbits don't vomit and rabbits don't vomit and have a small pylorus are have a small pylorus are believed to contribute to believed to contribute to hairball formation. Dwarf hairball formation. Dwarf rabbits are more rabbits are more susceptible to this susceptible to this condition than larger condition than larger rabbits rabbits

ObservationsObservations

The clinical signs The clinical signs are loss of are loss of appetite, absence appetite, absence of normal feces, of normal feces, and slow weight and slow weight loss without other loss without other signs of disease. signs of disease. The animal will be The animal will be bright and alert bright and alert and will continue to and will continue to drink water.drink water.

Treatment Treatment Sometimes the Sometimes the

condition will resolve condition will resolve spontaneously. spontaneously. Laxatives or Laxatives or administration of administration of protein-digesting protein-digesting enzymes such as enzymes such as papain or bromelain, papain or bromelain, found in raw papaya found in raw papaya and pineapples and pineapples

The only certain The only certain treatment is removal treatment is removal of the mass by of the mass by gastrotomy. This gastrotomy. This image shows the image shows the opened stomach with opened stomach with the hair mat the hair mat

Prevention Prevention Feeding a high-fiber Feeding a high-fiber

diet or augmenting diet or augmenting the diet with shredded the diet with shredded wheat or long-wheat or long-stemmed hay two or stemmed hay two or three times a week is three times a week is suggested as a suggested as a preventive measure. preventive measure.

Moist dermatitis Moist dermatitis This image shows moist This image shows moist

dermatitis that resulted dermatitis that resulted from drooling. The gross from drooling. The gross lesions consist of lesions consist of inflammation, alopecia, inflammation, alopecia, ulceration, and necrosis ulceration, and necrosis of the affected skin. of the affected skin.

Chronic wetness Chronic wetness associated with dental associated with dental problems, leaking problems, leaking watering systems, or watering systems, or continual contact with continual contact with urine as result of poor urine as result of poor husbandry practices husbandry practices predispose to the predispose to the condition condition

Technician treatingTechnician treating

The underlying The underlying conditions causing conditions causing chronic wetness chronic wetness must be identified must be identified and corrected. and corrected. Then the animal Then the animal can be treated by can be treated by clipping nearby clipping nearby hair and applying hair and applying mild antiseptic mild antiseptic scrubs and scrubs and antibiotic antibiotic ointments ointments

Vitamin A deficiencyVitamin A deficiency

The clinical The clinical manifestations of Vitamin manifestations of Vitamin A deficiency include A deficiency include droopy ears as seen on droopy ears as seen on this image. This is due this image. This is due to weakening of to weakening of cartilage. cartilage.

Pup with hydrocephalusPup with hydrocephalus Vitamin A deficiency impairs fertility in Vitamin A deficiency impairs fertility in

both sexes. Fetuses may be aborted or both sexes. Fetuses may be aborted or reabsorbed, or born with hydrocephalus, reabsorbed, or born with hydrocephalus, as shown in the lower pup on this image. as shown in the lower pup on this image.

Questions Questions

CreditsCredits

The Laboratory Animal Medicine and Science The Laboratory Animal Medicine and Science Series II has been developed by the Series II has been developed by the

following committee for the American following committee for the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine College of Laboratory Animal Medicine

C. W. McPherson, D.V.M., ChairC. W. McPherson, D.V.M., ChairJ. E. Harkness, D.V.M.J. E. Harkness, D.V.M.

J. F. Harwell, Jr., D.V.M.J. F. Harwell, Jr., D.V.M.J. M. Linn, D.V.M.J. M. Linn, D.V.M.

A. F. Moreland, D.V.M.A. F. Moreland, D.V.M.G. L. Van Hoosier, Jr., D.V.M.G. L. Van Hoosier, Jr., D.V.M.

L. Dahm, M.S. L. Dahm, M.S.