Dr. Provet has been invited to evaluate a rabbit farm suffering low fertility, low conversion rate, death of a young rabbit before weaning age, and abnormal behaviors of mothers that reject their babies and refuse to suckle them.
The case is almost mastitis in rabbits, but this diagnosis still needs further confirmations
As DR. Provet is a professional vet who immediately starts to plan a strategy for the diagnosis, the cause of these signs is to perfectly control it.
The diagnosis strategy includes :
Case history
Clinical signs include:
Hot, swollen, firm, and painful mammary glands.
High body temperature.
The affected mother became anorexic, depressed, and lethargic.
Treatment of mastitis in rabbits
Firstly bacterial culture is necessary before commencing antibiotic treatment,
But the early treatment improves the prognosis, so using a broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment based on clinical signs and most likely causative bacteria.
Treatment
This includes antibiotics such as enrofloxacin or a trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole combination.
Pain relief through NSAIDS (but it's contraindicated for animals with renal or hepatic failure).
To avoid diarrhea that may be induced by these drugs, use high fiber foods and high-calorie foods.
Supportive treatment
Fluid therapy may be given to help regulate temperature and maintain hydration status.
Heat packs can be applied 3-4 times daily and tissue massage may be helpful to promote drainage.
Young rabbits should be separated from their mother to avoid passing the infection to other female rabbits,
Rabbits at 6-8 weeks, weaning can be successful and the prognosis of the mastitis in their mother is good.
For younger kits, bottle-feeding is an option, however, it can be difficult
in some hopeless cases, the most humane option may be euthanasia.
Surgical treatment
In severe infections, mastectomy or surgical excision is important, but the risk results from sedation, general anesthesia, cardiovascular, or respiratory depression.
Prevention and control of mastitis in rabbits
Some prevention measures should be considered to prevent re-infection, including:
Regular change of the beddings.
Ensure perfect disinfection.
Routine examination of the mother udder to ensure the absence of any early infections.
Sarcoptic Mange is another case on the farm.
It's a common and important case in rabbits, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei.
Its lesions were distributed in the face, ear margins, nose, and legs.
It is an allergic reaction that is characterized by:
White crust along with the eyes, mouth, nose, ears, and toes.
The affected area has a faint foul odor.
A mange-affected area is itchy, so it may include pruritus, seborrhea, alopecia, hypersensitivity reaction, crusting, and hyperkeratosis.
Dry crusty lesions are commonly seen in the ear margins which can be extended to the external canal as a result of the growth and multiplication of the parasite.
This form is associated with severe itching that may cause severe ulcers of the affected ear and the rabbit prefers to put his head towards the affected ear.
It can be transmitted through direct contact with the affected rabbit.
Treatment of mange in rabbits
The treatment occurs through both topical and systemic treatment
Systemic treatment
Using systemic medications, including:
Long-acting Ivermectin that can be used subcutaneously by only a single dose of 700 mcg/kg body weight.
Or with 3 injections of ivermectin, one every 14 days.
Oral supplementation of zinc and multivitamins helped in the early improvement within 2 weeks.
Topical treatment
It includes using external medications such as:
Benzyl benzoate for treatment of wounds, every 5th day.
Hydrogen peroxide is used to clean the ear affected by mange (3-4 drops for the affected ear).
Then use glycerin in addition to sulfur ointment (10%) for 3_4 days.
Prevention of mange in rabbits
Mange in rabbits can be prevented and controlled by:
Isolation of the affected animals till complete curing.
Regular cleaning and disinfecting, rabbits by dilution of sodium hypochlorite (½ cup of 6% sodium hydrochloride in 1 gallon of water.
Daily cleaning and disinfecting of the cages.
Dr. Provet has observed few cases of Coccidiosis during the same visit.
Let's address them.
Symptoms of Coccidiosis in Rabbits
Symptoms of Coccidiosis are obvious only in severe cases, including:
Signs of pain such as hunching.
Depression.
Dehydration.
Anemia.
Poor coat condition.
Pale mucous membranes.
Weight loss or poor growth.
Bloody or mucoid feces.
Convulsions or paralysis may be observed in severe cases of intestinal coccidiosis.
In severe cases of hepatic coccidiosis weakness, and bile duct damage may occur, followed by coma.
Types of rabbit Coccidiosis
There are 2 forms of rabbit Coccidiosis, including:
Intestinal Coccidiosis
More common in young rabbits, particularly newly weaned
It has a high risk of stress and immunosuppression
Hepatic Coccidiosis
It's mainly related to poor sanitation.
All ages can be infected by this form.
It may cause distention of the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts.
Treatment of Coccidiosis in Rabbits
The treatment is mainly related to the symptoms.
In case of severe dehydration, intravenous
fluid therapy is necessary.
For hepatic coccidiosis.
Using sulfaquinoxaline by oral administration for 30 days in drinking water or 20 days in the feed may decrease symptoms.
For intestinal coccidiosis.
Sulfaquinoxaline is given in the drinking water for 7 days and then repeated after a 7-day interval.
Other medications that may be considered are amprolium, salinomycin, diclazuril, and toltrazuril.
Recovery of Coccidiosis in Rabbits
The prognosis for rabbits with coccidiosis is good in early treatment.
The prognosis may be guarded in case of severe infections and liver failure.
Excellent sanitation and husbandry are essential.
Applying for an Ideal sanitation program before infection.
Use ammonia (10%)to disinfect the cages to ensure the eradication of oocysts.
Support the rabbit with a nutritionally complete diet to protect his digestive system.
Avoid overcrowding and environmental changes to reduce stress.
Finally, DR. provet advises all vets who are working in rabbit farms to pay great attention to the perfect hygienic measures to protect their farms from further risks.
Written by: Dr. Mai Foda
Resources
https://wagwalking.com/rabbit/condition/lactation-infection
https://www.cuteness.com/article/treat-mange-rabbits
https://wagwalking.com/rabbit/condition/coccidiosis#symptoms