PARASITIC AND VIRAL DISEASES

There are a number of parasitic and viral diseases seen in the gastrointestinal tracts of rabbits. Whilst sub-clinical forms often manifest themselves simply as unthrifthiness, the more pathogenic cause a variety of signs and symptoms, and if untreated may lead to the animal's death. Transmission is generally via the faecal-oral route, and prevention and control is therefore through improved hygiene, reduction of stress (transport, social, crowding) and addition of fibre to the diet - to help nourish the GI epithelium and prevent invasion of the tissues, thereby enhancing resistance to infectious organisms.

• Coccidiosis

Two forms of coccidiosis are seen in the rabbit, a hepatic and an intestinal form. Several types of the intestinal parasite (Eimeria sp.) have been described, each with varying degrees of pathogenicity. The disease can be seen in all ages of rabbits, and typical signs included anorexia, weight loss, diarrhoea (which may contain mucus or blood), dehydration, and death. Poor husbandry, stress levels diet and age of the rabbit influence the severity of the disease.

• Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium parvum, another protozoan, infects the jejunum and ileum and is thought to the cause of transitory dirrhoea in young rabbits, but not adults. It may be responsible for poor growth rates in young rabbits.

• Rotavirus

Rotavirus appears to be a condition associated with suckling rabbits. Whilst it may be endemic in some rabbit colonies, and some rabbits may be infected sub-clinically, others lacking antibodies show signs of anrexia, diarrhoea (greenish-yellow watery with mucus), dehydration and may even lead to death within one or two days. Rotaviruses cause lesions and atrophy in the villi lining, the jejunum and ileum causing diarrhoea and haemorrhages.

• Coronavirus

Disease associated with coronavirus is similar to that of rotavirus. Clinical signs consist of anorexia, swollen abdomen, diarrhoea and dehydration followed by death, but tend to only be seen in young rabbits (3-10 weeks of age). Adults appear to carry the virus sub-clinically.

• Viral Haemorrhagic Disease

VHD is caused by a calicivirus, and appears to affect only rabbits over 6 weeks of age. Three forms, peracute, acute and sub-acute have been described. In the most virulent (peracute) the animals die suddenly wihtout clinical signs - the course of the disease can be very rapid and the rabbit is often found dead having suffered convulsions. The acute form shows the typical signs: depression, lethargy, anorexia, and fever. In some there may be abdominal distension, diarrhoea or constipation, rapid breathing, respiratory distress and even pain (vocalisations). Blood may be seen in the nasal passages, the eyes and mouth and anus. In the sub-acute form the symptoms are much reduced, and many animals survive and become resistant to the disease. These rabbits however, may continue to shed the virus and infet other susceptible rabbits for a period of time afterwards.

Russel Rabbit 

Loss of Gut Motility

Treatment of Gastrointestinal Diseases