Health management of rabbits

1. HEALTH MANAGEMENT OF
RABBITS
Vinodh Kumar,O.R
Division of Epidemiology
ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute
Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India

2. Introduction
• Rabbits are very shy animals
• High prolificacy
• High feed conversion efficiency
• Shorter generation interval
• Suited for rural and urban conditions
• Can bred round the year

3. Healthy and Sick Rabbits

4. Snuffles
It is an upper respiratory tract infection if snuffles is not treated
properly leads to pneumonia (lower respiratory tract infection)
Symptoms
• Sneezing is the initial clinical sign in rabbits with respiratory problem.
Animals show clear mucous discharge from the nose, later it may
become creamy in appearance and in severe cases cause crusting on
the nose.
• Wet or matted fur on the inside of front legs caused by continual nose
wiping is of better diagnostic importance.
• Snuffles can develop into pneumonia if the infection spreads to the
lower respiratory tract and lungs.
Causes
• Most often bacteria called Pasteurella multocida but can also be
caused by Staphylococcus spp. These bacteria spread in the air and by
contact with contaminated hands, cages, equipment or other rabbits.
These bacteria are present in the environment and stressed rabbits are
more likely to be affected.

5. Snuffles
Treatment
• Use of antibiotics ( eg. Cefotaxime, Enrofloxacin,
Cefadroxil,Azithromycin, Sulpha drugs etc.,).
• Recovery is rapid in treating early cases but failure occur in delayed
cases
Prevention and control
• Sheds and cages should be kept as clean as possible.
• Good ventilation is required to maintain air quality and reduce
ammonia.
• Regular removal fecal material and urine from the sheds.
• Temperature range should be kept at a minimum (between 18-
24oC) as changes in temperature can trigger stress and out breaks
of snuffles.

6. Pneumonia
Advanced cases of snuffles may lead to pnemonia
Symptoms:
• Laboured breathing, often with mouth open and head thrown back
at late stages.
• Skin eyes and mouth appears blue from lack of oxygen. Pneumonia
is most easily diagnosed after death by checking the lung tissue –
the normally bright pink tissue is purplish and less spongy. There
may be fluid in the chest cavity.
Causes
• Most often Pasteurella multocida but can also be caused by
Staphylococcus spp. These bacteria spread in the air and by contact
with contaminated hands, cages, equipment or other rabbits.

7. Pneumonia
Treatment
• Follow the antibiotic therapy for 5 to 7 days
• Use of anti histamines and anti inflammatory drugs
Prevention and control
• Avoid stress in the rabbits by ensuring good air quality
• Sheds and cages should be kept as clean as possible.
• Good nutrition and fresh clean water is essential.
• Removal of affected animals may control the spread to other
rabbits
• Pneumonia is difficult to treat with antibiotics as by the time
symptoms are observed the infection is likely to be well advanced.

8. Pasteurellosis
Most common bacteria affecting rabbits, Pasteurella multocida can be
spread through the air, on objects, or by direct contact with an infected
rabbit. Most rabbits have the bacteria in their system, and normally their
immune systems keep it in check, but if a rabbit is physically or
emotionally stressed, these opportunistic bacteria may multiply out of
control and serious infections could develop.
Symptoms
• The affected rabbits show nasal discharge, difficult in respiration (jerky
respiration). Severe condition leads to pneumoina.
Treatment
• Nebulized antibiotics may be helpful with rhinitis and pneumonia
• Systemic antibiotic therapy for at least 10 days
Prevention and control
• Avoid ammonia odour in rabbit sheds by removal of faecal and urine
materials
• Good ventilation
• Avoid mixing up of adult and young rabbits

9. Coccidiosis
• The problem less likely to occur in caged rabbits, mainly
seen in intensively managed farms in deep litter system.
• Coccidiosis is caused by different species of protozoan
parasites; Eimeria is one of the important diseases of
rabbits and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality.
• In commercially reared broiler rabbits coccidiosis occurs in
subclinical form leading to growth retardation and altered
feed conversions.
• In India, coccidiosis is a major impediment in rabbit
production and the most common parasitic affecting all age
groups. The disease occurs especially in young rabbits.

10. Coccidiosis
Symptoms:
• Diarrhoea or scouring , sometimes bloody faecal material with
matted dirty fur around the anus. In the early stages the rabbit may
show signs of ill thrift. Rabbits appear lethargic, go off their feed,
scour, become dehydrated and can die within 48 hours if left
untreated. On post mortem the liver may show signs of damage in
the form of white spots. Diagnosis is usually made by oocyst
identification on microscopic examination.
Cause
• A protozoan parasite ( Eimeria) that invades the bile duct or
intestine. The most common form is intestinal coccidiosis which
causes scouring. The less common liver form damages the bile duct
which causes the liver to develop characteristic white spots.

11. Coccidiosis
Treatment
• Coccidiostats or coccidiocidal drugs
Prevention and control
• Coccidiostats can be added to feed at the
pelleting stage at low levels to suppressive
coccidia infection.
• Good cage hygiene can interrupt Eimeria life
cycle.
• Faecal material should be removed daily.
• Regular removal and disposal of faecal material

12. Intestinal Coccidiosis
Intestinal coccidiosis mainly affects young weaned rabbits
six weeks to five months of age. This is attributed to stress,
noise, transportation or immunosupression.
Symptoms
• Rough coat, dullness, decreased appetite, dehydration and
weight loss.
• Rabbits may also develop intussusception, a blockage of the
intestine caused by a telescoping of the bowel on itself.
When weight loss is greater than 20%, convulsions or
paralysis is seen, followed by death within 24 hours.
• The majority of deaths are a result of dehydration and
secondary bacterial infections.

13. Hepatic Coccidiosis
Rabbits infected with E. steidae , the protozoan responsible for hepatic (liver)
coccidiosis, may have mild to severe infections. Mild infections show no symptoms
while moderately infected rabbits will have growth retardation. Severe infections
result in loss of appetite, weakness, diarrhea and possibly constipation in the later
stages of the disease. E steidae inhabits cells of the bile ducts and liver, causing
blockage and severe liver damage.
Clinical Symptoms
• Diarrhea (may be blood-tinged), Weight loss, Jaundice , Rough coat, Lethargy
Diagnosis and Treatment
• The diagnosis of coccidiosis in live rabbits is very difficult to do. Examination of feces
for the presence of oocysts is one method.
• Anti-coccidial treatment is usually only successful for rabbits that have been infected
for less than five or six days.
• If treatment is successful, diarrhea and mortality may still be seen for a few days after
the initiation of treatment. Relapse is regularly observed after one or two weeks.

14. Hepatic Coccidiosis
Prevention
Prevention is the best method in the control of rabbit coccidiosis.
Sanitation and husbandry are the most important aspects in controlling
infection.
• Overcrowding causes unnecessary stress and difficulty in maintaining
hygiene in the rabbitry.
• Avoid mixing litters at weaning
• Wean youngsters as late as possible, unless overcrowding becomes an
issue.
• Anticoccidial medicated feed to weaned and non-lactating/pregnant does
to prevent the development of coccidiosis. Young rabbits (1-3 months)
have a low immunity to coccidiosis and thus are more susceptible to the
disease.
• Routine cleaning two or three times a week will decrease coccidial loads
and is recommended for rabbitries experiencing coccidiosis problems
• Feeder and waterer should be disinfected regularly and remain free of
rabbit feces.

15. Tyzzer's disease
Symptoms
• Loss of appetite, dehydration, loss of energy, staining
of the hindquarters
Causes
• This disease is caused by Clostridium piliforme bacteria
Treatment
• Antibiotic therapy
• Fluid therapy (ORS)
Prevention and Control
• Regular removal of fecal materials
• Good sanitation (1% peracetic acid or 3% bleach )

16. Colibacillosis
Two types of colibacillosis are seen in rabbits, depending on their age.
Rabbits of 1 to 2 weeks old develop a severe yellowish diarrhea that is
often fatal.
Symptoms
• Diarrhoea
• Weight loss
• Poor growth
Causes
• Caused by Escherichiacoli bacteria
Treatment
• Antibiotic therapy
• Fluid therapy (ORS)
Prevention and control
• Providing high-fiber food
• Rabbit cages and other areas of rabbit shed should be thoroughly
sanitized

17. Gastric Ulcers
Usually associated with stress. Sever gastric ulcer causes sudden death.
Symptoms
• There are no specific signs of gastric ulcers in rabbits other than abdominal
• pain. Haunched back, hurdling is also seen as an indication of pain.
Causes
• Usually result of excessive use of NSAIDs (anti inflammatory drugs) . Svere
stress predispose to gastric ulcers. Some bacteria are also associated with
this condition.
Treatment
• Histamine receptor blocker- H2 blocker ( Ranitidine, Cimitidine, Famotidine)
• Proton pump inhibitor to control the gastric acid secretion( Omeprazole)
Prevention and control
• Have good grass hay to increase the intestinal motility
• Slowly introduce new feeds

18. Hair chewing and Hair balls
Rabbits groom themselves almost constantly, so their stomachs often contain hair. If the
hairballs build up in the stomach and causes a blockage (commonly called a hairball).
Symptoms
• Loss of appetite
• Weight lose
• Death within 3 to 4 weeks if not diagnosed and treated
Causes
• Low-fiber diet, Stress, Obesity, Boredomness
Treatment
• Intra venous fluid treatment,
• Anti inflammatory drugs
• Anti-ulcer drugs
• Pineapple juice contains the digestive enzyme bromelain and has been used to treat
early cases of hairballs; an adult rabbit is given fresh or frozen juice directly into the
stomach once or twice a day for 3 days.
Prevention and control
• Providing a high fiber diet,
• Avoiding stress and obesity
• Avoiding Boredomness

19. Acute Bloat and Blockage
Bloat occurs as gas accumulates in large amounts in the gastrointestinal tract. Acute
bloat, however, occurs as a result of a physical obstruction or severe ileus.
Symptoms
• A rabbit with acute bloat from a complete gastrointestinal obstruction can go from
perfectly well to critically ill within an extremely short period of time, and die within
12 to 24 hours of onset of symptoms if there is no successful Intervention
Causes
• True obstructions are usually high in the gut, near the pyloric opening (at the
• bottom of the stomach) or within the first six inches of the small bowel. Blockage may
occur from ingested material such as bedding material; carpet fibers and mats of hair
(hair ball).Tumors, adhesions, abscesses, and a twisted intestine.
Treatment
• 1. Emergency doses of IV fluids, analgesics, and antibiotics.
• 2. Anti bloat agents
• 3. Oral administration of 10 to 20 ml of vegetable oil
Prevention and control
• Have good grass hay to increase the intestinal motility
• Slowly introduce new feeds
• Avoid too much of readily available carbohydrates in feed

20. Enterotoxemia
• Species of Clostridium causes the enteritis
complex in domestic rabbits. The
• “carbohydrate overload” is associated with
this disease.
Symptoms
• Production of enterotoxins leads to diarrhoea
and death

21. Mucoid enteropathy
Symptoms
• Soft jelly like faeces or diarrhoea that soils the fur around the anus. Rabbits can die
very quickly, often before symptoms of scouring are observed. It is usually grower
rabbits from 6-8 weeks of age that are affected.
Causes
• These two diseases are associated with a disruption of gut function that may be
caused by bacteria such as Escherichia coli or by a lack of fibre in the diet of the
rabbit. Stress, overcrowding and poor sanitation can increase susceptibility of rabbits
to these diseases.
Treatment
• Antibiotics may be of useful
• Oral rehydration therapy (ORS )
• The most effective treatment is to increase the level of fibre being fed to the
animals. This can be given in the form of lucerne or grass.
Prevention and control
• Feed grower rabbits a diet with adequate fibre levels (>12% - 14%).
• Monitor rabbit health and adjust stocking rate if necessary.
• Good sanitation in the grower shed with cages and equipment regularly cleaned
• Free access to fresh clean drinking water.

22. Ketosis (Pregnancy Toxemia)
Ketosis is a rare disorder that may result in death of does 1 to 2 days before giving birth.
The disease is more common in first-litter does. Hairballs in the stomach often
predispose a rabbit to developing ketosis.
Symptoms
• Loss of appetite, Dullness of eyes, Sluggishness
• Difficulty in breathing and lying down.
• The most significant physical change is fatty deposits in the liver and kidneys (noted
after death has occurred).
Causes
• Obesity and lack of exercise.
Treatment
• Intravenous injection of dextrose (10% or 20 %).
• Oral administration of glycerol
• Oral administration of jaggary
Prevention and control
• Breed does before they become obese
• Provide adequate nutrition during pregnancy

23. Mastitis
It is inflammation of the mammary glands and nipples of rabbits. Usually problem in nursing does.
Symptoms:
• Infected mammary gland usually swells up and there is a hard lump generally around the nipple.
The region can become reddish inflamed and painful, sometimes in more severe cases the
affected area turns blue. Does with mastitis often have increased temperature. If untreated the
infection will become abscessed and hard.
Cause
• Mastitis is an infection of the mammary gland often caused by Staphylococcus aureus but can
also be caused from Pasteurella multocida plus other bacteria. Bacteria can enter the mammary
gland via the teat canal, through injury to the teats or via the blood stream (septicaemia).
Treatment
• Treatment with an effective antibiotic at the early stage of infection can assist the doe to
overcome the infection.
Prevention and control
• Good hygiene is essential for the control of mastitis.
• Cages and equipment should be cleaned prior to kindling. Particular attention should be paid to
keeping cages and nest boxes clean during lactation.
• Topical antibiotic treatment of nipple injuries can reduce the chance of infection through this
route.
• Infection is readily spread though human contact and hands should be disinfected before
handling each lactating doe.
• Kits from infected does are also a source of infection and should not be fostered onto healthy
does.
• Mastitis often reoccurs with subsequent lactations and affected rabbits should be culled.

24. Ringworm
• Ringworm is a fungal infection that is common in
rabbits. Ringworm is generally associated with
poor sanitation, poor nutrition, and other
environmental stressors.
Symptoms
• Affected rabbits develop raised, reddened,
circular sores that are capped with white, bran-
like, flaky material. The sores generally appear
first on the head and then spread to other areas
of the skin.

25. Ringworm
Causes
• The cause is most commonly the fungus Trichophyton
mentagrophytes and occasionally Microsporum canis.
Treatment
• Oral and topical antifungal drugs
Prevention and control
• Because infected rabbits can spread the disease to humans and
other animals, they should be isolated and treated.
• Good sanitary practices (use disposable gloves, followed by
thorough hand and arm washing when handling infected rabbits,
cleaning cages and equipment, or disposing of waste materials)

26. Hock sore
Usually seen in over weight rabbits or rabbits in poorly maintained cages, it is mainly a
management problem.
Symptoms
• Hair loss on the foot pad and hock area is followed by ulcerated sores that often
become infected. Affected rabbits look like they are “walking on eggs” and gingerly
shift their weight from foot to foot. Rabbits may lose body condition and can die from
septicaemia (blood poisoning). Most often the rear hocks become sore but all feet
can be affected in severe cases.
Cause
• This condition is common with rabbits on wire floors. Type of wire, cleanliness and
the condition of the cage floor are important factors associated with hock sore.
Treatment
• Soaking off surface crust and irrigating with a topical solution but the healing process
is slow and the condition often reoccurs.
• Use of antibiotics, anti inflammatory drugs
• Affected rabbits should be provided with a mat to allow them to get off the wire floor.
Prevention
• Mats on wire floors assist in prevention.
• Mats which allow the passage of faeces and urine are the best but care should be
taken to ensure they are kept clean.
• Nail trimming is also advisable
• Rabbits with reoccurring hocksore should be culled.

27. Abscesses
Abscesses, localized collections of pus, are common in rabbits and
difficult to treat successfully.
Symptoms
• Rabbit abscesses are most often found on the head and limbs, but
may also occur elsewhere, including on internal organs. They
frequently extend to underlying tissues and bone, and if this
happens the prognosis is more guarded. Signs of abscesses are
variable. Visible swelling in external body surfaces.
Causes
• Bacterial, viral agents may cause the condition.
Treatment
• Apply iodine ointments to ripen the abscess
• Opening and draining of abscesses (after maturation)
• Minimum of two weeks of antibiotic therapy
• Local application of antibiotic cream

28. Ear Mites
Rabbit ears may become infested with ear mites, Psoroptes cuniculi.
Symptoms
• Excessive head shaking/scratching and crusted exudates in the ears are usually the
first sign. Crusting may extend to the face, dewlap, neck and other body parts.
• Sometimes bad infestations extend to the ear canal and lead to secondary
bacterial infections that cause otitis media, head tilt, and other signs of
neurological disease.
Causes
• The mite Psoroptes cuniculi causes the condition, sometime with mixed bacterial
infection. Infestations will be worse where the environmental conditions include
low temperature and high humidity.
Treatment
• Antiparasitical drugs such as ivermectin or Doramectin.
• Cleaning of ear by hydrogen peroxide
• Antibiotic treatment
• Anti inflammatory and anti histamines

29. Encephalitozoonosis
Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an intracellular protozoan parasite spread primarily through spores in
the urine of affected animals. It is of zoonotic importance.
Symptoms
• The symptoms are not clear in this condition. Head tilt may be a routine disease clinical sign.
Granulomas are localized areas of inflammation where the infection is being fought, and are
most common in the brain, kidneys, heart, and spinal cord. Digestive and urinary tract
disturbances may also be noticed.
• Symptoms that may occur include:
• Head tilt, Rolling, Head nodding, Stargazing (head slightly twisted up, eyes staring upwards),
Nystagmus (uncontrolled movement of eyes), Cataracts,Paralysis/paresis, especially of the hind
legs, Incontinence, Ataxia (incoordination, weakness), Behavioural changes, especially mental
impairment
Causes
• The poor hygiene in rabbit shed predisposes this condition. Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an
intracellular protozoan parasite is the causative agent.
Treatment
• Antiparasitical drugs to eradicate the parasite
• Sulpha drugs may also be given
• Using deworming drugs like albendazole, fenbendazole, oxibendazole, thiabendazole etc

30. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
The presence of sludgy urine and uroliths will predispose the rabbits.
Infectious agents also cause the condition.
Symptoms
• Pain in the abdomen is noticed, difficult in urination, blood in urine,
change of colour of urine and abnormal-smelling of urine
Causes
• Many infectious agents cause this condition. The presence of urinary
stones, poor water intake may also lead to urinary tract infections.But
these infections are often asymptomatic, and therefore very dangerous.
Treatment
• Use of antibiotics for 5 to 10 days
• Anti inflammatory drugs
Prevention and control
• Good rabbit shed hygiene
• Providing palatable drinking water containing less dissolved salts

31. Hypothermia
• Hypothermia, loss of heat, is a sign of a very serious condition needing prompt
attention to avoid the rabbit’s death. If the rabbit is hypothermic, the rectal
temperature will be below 100˚F (37.7˚C). This may be encountered in rabbits
recovering from anesthesia, rabbits suffering any pain, rabbits that have acute
bloat, Gastro intestinal hypomotility, mycotoxicosis, or are in shock.
Symptoms
• Initially shivering will be there in severe conditions loss of consciousness, finally
coma and death.
Treatment
• Administration of intra venous fluids with body temperature.
• Covering the rabbits with blankets
Prevention and control
• In winter using rabbit shed heaters.
• Avoiding winter winds in to rabbit shed.
• By providing proper thermal bedding material

32. Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia, or heat stress, is as deadly as hypothermia. Rabbits do not sweat and cannot pant.
Symptoms
• Rabbits will be lethargic initially followed by convulsions and death, Laboured breathing
(dyspnoea), Disorientation, Weakness, Seizures, Prostration, Anorexia, Fluid in lungs, Rectal
temperature over 105˚F (40.5˚C), Cyanosis, Unconsciousness
Causes
• Heat stroke can occur to a rabbit if the weather becomes unexpectedly hot or if a rabbit is
confined in a cage near a window or heat source he cannot move away from.
Treatment
• Immediately remove the rabbits from the high environmental temperature and cool the body by
pouring cold water.
• Intravenous fluid therapy
Prevention and control
• Provide cool and ventilated cages
• If the ambient temperature rises this high, rabbits must be to cooled
• In hot weather provide the rabbit lots of cool water—try placing ice cubes in a dish of water.
Frozen water-filled juice cartons can be wrapped in towels and placed next to the rabbit.
• Fans with damp towels hung in front of rabbits can help cool the air and relieve the rabbit’s
stress.

33. Shock
Sometimes hypothermia and hyperthermia may lead to shock.
Symptoms
• Greyish or bright pink mucous membranes (easiest to observe in gums and
eyes)
• Low body temperature
• Weak pulse
• Loss of consciousness
Causes
• There are three kinds of shock: hypovolemic, cardiogenic, and distributive.
Unless the progression of shock is stopped, the rabbit will die.
Treatment
• Intravenous fluid therapy
• Antibiotic therapy
Prevention and control
• The prevention and control measure in hypothermia and hyperthermia has
to be followed.

34. Cancer (Neoplastic Disease)
The growth of tumors (neoplasms) is not uncommon in rabbits, although
abscesses are a more likely cause of unidentified masses in a companion
rabbit. uterine cancer is extremely common in adult female breeding
rabbits
Symptoms
• Unusual feeding behaviour , lose of appetite; and eventually become
emaciated (Loss of body weight)
• Rabbit will be lethargic, have diarrhea, respiratory difficulties, and limb
paresis (weakness);
Causes
• Neoplasms may be benign or malignant and may occur in rabbits of any
age,
• although older rabbits have a higher incidence. Exposure of rabbits to
cancer causing agents.
Treatment
• In general, cancer is very difficult to treat in rabbits, both because it is often
multifocal and because the rabbit may show no sign of the disease until it is
well-developed. Anti cancer drug may be tried.

35. Hair ball ( trichobezzaors)
Presence of hair/fur of rabbits in their gastro intestinal tract.
Symptoms
• Reduced appetite or complete loss of appetite
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Pain in abdomen
Causes
• Boredom of rabbits, deficiency of minerals and vitamins causes the
rabbits to eat or chew their own hair.
Treatment
• Oral administration of digestive enzymes to digest the hair ball
Prevention and control
• Feeding adequate vitamins and miners in the feed.
• Avoiding boredom in rabbits

36. Ulcerative Pododermatitis ( Sore
Hock)
Sore hocks are highly likely to occur in over weight
rabbit (obese) because of changes in how the
weight is distributed on their feet and also
because of urine dribble and burn.
Treatment
• Use topical and systemic antibiotics
Prevention and control
• Managing proper weight in breeding rabbits
• Good cage floor and bedding material

37. Quarantine
• The sick animals should be separated from health rabbits and kept in isolation. During
the isolation the rabbits should be examined thoroughly and treatment should be
given. Quarantine of newly purchased rabbits is possibly the most important
procedure that every rabbitries should follow. Usually a period of 2 months of
quarantine has to be followed before introducing/mixing with other rabbits in an
existing rabbit stock.
• The workers or personnel who handle, treat, or clean quarantine animals should not
go into non-quarantine areas until they have taken bath and changed clothes.
Healthiest animals in quarantine should be handled, fed, and cleaned before less
healthy animals (“clean to dirty” procedure).
• Animals with similar conditions/symptoms should be housed adjacent or together
and away from other animals to prevent transmission of disease.
• As fecal parasites are among the most transmissible. Fecal samples should be
analyzed at least one time while rabbits are in quarantine.
• Any rabbits which appear to be in worsening condition should be kept separate to be
examined
• Any rabbit who dies while in quarantine should be given a full post mortem
examination (necropsy)
• No rabbit should leave quarantine and be admitted to a known healthy population
until he is disease-free for at least 30 days, or 60 days post purchase, whichever is
greater.