by: Pamela Alley, RVT

Bacterial infections in the rabbit can be VERY MISLEADING!!, which is why the vet usually says "Gee, I would REALLY like to culture this stuff" (or at least a knowledgeable one will...it is an unfortunate kneejerk response to diagnose anything from a broken leg to wryneck as "Whups! It's a rabbit, therefore it is pasteurella!") It is your responsibility to the animal to know what the three MAJOR infectious bacteria can and cannot, will and will not do to your animal..as much as that is possible....rabbits despite being one of the most utilized lab animals are still under documented on their OWN illnesses!!

Okay..biggest first...
Pasteurella multocida:
Gram Negative rod, sometimes hemolytic...may cause one or more or all of the following: Abscesses in any body cavity or organ; infections/abscesses in testicles or ovaries or uterus; middle and inner ear infections; pneumonia; heart insufficiencies (abscess in the chambers of the heart); respiratory infections in lung, trachea, sinuses; eye infections; abscesses in and under the skin; generalized wasting and death due to systemic spread (septicemia). It is transmissible by contact, aerosol (sneezing), and possibly by fomites (on inanimate objects). Virulence (its ability to cause disease) is HIGH IN SUSCEPTIBLE ANIMALS... Treatment: Cure: None. Control: Possible but impractical for any but pet owners where other rabbits are not exposed. Prevention: Good air circulation with minimal ammonia vapors and moisture kept within reasonable limits. Animals with good immune systems and intact mucous membranes stand the best chance of rejecting an infection.

Bordetella bronchiseptica:
Another Gram Negative Rod, its frequency of occurrence is unknown. It is the same bacteria as is found in kennel cough of dogs. Causes strictly respiratory symptoms to the best of my personal knowledge and pathology reports! :) Pneumonia and nasal discharge with sneezing, it may be mistaken for Pasteurella. Probably not too often. Wise for culture to be done, however. Make sure to ask the lab to differentiate between the two. (Another occurrence of It's a rabbit, its gram neg, must be..). Virulence is medium; same protection mechanism as above applies for prevention as well...well-ventilated, healthy animals in low-moisture, low-ammonia setups are less susceptible. Treatment: As determined by culture and sensitivity test run by the vet. Cure: Perhaps, unknown for certain.

Staphylococcus aureus:
Common, opportunistic gram positive cocci. Often hemolytic and produces other exotoxins as well. Very commonly causes infection of sore hocked animals; infects many open wounds; abscesses most commonly occur in the feet. Can also cause mastitis, either with a central pus pocket or billions of little abscesses in the various layers of skin and tissue. Lancing staph abscesses is easy; drainage is nonexistent, so the pus must be manually removed and checked daily for recurrence. Large incisions are recommended. mastectomy may be necessary. May also cause mouth abscesses; again, it is opportunistic; if molars or incisors are malocclused, the infection is more likely to be staph than past...the Gram stain is an in-office test that can be run in about a hour, and will tell you one or the other. Treatment: Most antibiotics, particularly penicillins, which are effective on gram positive organisms will work; with penicillins PARTICULARLY given orally, care must be taken not to disrupt the gut flora. Extended or repeated treatment may be needed for the most involved cases; prognosis for localized abscessation is good, particularly if surgery is done to dissect out the affected nodule. Septicemic animals are less lucky; prognosis is only fair with them as a rule of thumb. Prevention: Good husbandry; preventing opportunities for this bacteria to establish itself.

Written and shared with kind permission by: Pamela Alley, RVT
Rabbit Industry Council

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