Rabbit Diseases
Disease/Condition Symtoms Cause Treatment
Mastitis Inflamed, swollen, hot, discolored mammary system - all or individual. Abcession of gland is common. Normally occurs just after kindling or weaning. Bacteria within the mammary system. Non contagious. Treatment is three injections total, three days apart with Pen-BP intermuscularly at 1/10 cc per 2lbs. body weight. Strip glands free of milk. Hot pack application 3-4 times daily.
Weepy Eye Matted fur at medial corner and under lower lid of eye. Discharge from eye. Inflammation of conjunctiva - most common in "bulldog" head type. Usually a result of blocked duct between lower eye lid and nasal area. Usually a history of respitory infections. Instill Neomycin opthalmic 2-3 times per day for 3-4 days. Opening of naso-lacrimalduct by professional help.
Vent Disease
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"Scabby" inflammation of genitals - both sexes - can have scabs on nose and mouth in later stages, "scabby nose" refuse to mate and/or conceive. Abortions.Usually spred through mating so virgin offspring will be effected. Treatment is three injections total, three days apart with Dura-Pen Sub-Q at 1/10 cc per 2lbs. body weight.
Pasteurelosis (snuffles)
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Persistent sneezing with a productive nasal discharge that is thin or thick and white or yellow in nature. Precurser to many other conditions. Decreased growth rate and production. Primarily an upper respitory infection where Pneumonia is often a secondary complication. Death associated with secondary infections. Pasturella sp. Infection associated with stress factor. No specific treatment with medications successful. Improve ventilation of rabbitry. Administration of anti-biotic such as Baytril to prevent secondary infection. Reduce stress factors.
Muciod Enteritis (diarrhea)
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Common in fryer rabbits. Jelly-like secretion in stool, pot-bellied & water bottle like filled abdominal cavity. Won't eat, grinds teeth, high mortality. Unknown cecum impact, intestinal tract filled with jelly-like materials. Probable cause, a combination of factors. Reduce stress, place on high fiber, bland low energy diet. Remove pellets for 24 hours. Can treat with broad spectrum antibiotic in water to prevent secondary infections.
Fur Mites (mange)
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Loss of fur around face, neck, and back. Scratching frequently Mite. Application of KITTEN flea powder. Repeat 10 days after initial treatment to ensure total control of life cycle.
Ring worm Loss of hair in circular pattern with sore in the middle. Most common on feet and legs of young, but can be seen in adults and on any location of the body. Fungus. Contagious to humans and other animals. Caution should be used when handling a rabbit with this condition. Individual animals should be treated with daily application of iodine to the affected area. Isolation.
Ear Mites
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Shaking head, scratching at ears. Scabby formation inside ears. Infestation of inside outer ear with mites. Saturate inside of ear with oil for 3 days. Ivemec.
Coccidiosis (diarrhea)
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Diarreah, poor flesh condition, lower resistance to other diseases. Protozoan parasite. Use of coccidicide on a regular basis.
Wry Neck
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Turning of the head to one side, loss of balance, continuous roll when excited. Usually doesn't interfere with appetite intil later stages. Inflammation of inner ear and/or brain. The bacteria usually isolated is Pasteurella sp. Ofter associated with the upper respitory system. Contagious. Very difficult. Daily instillation of tetracycline ointment as otic drops, about 60% successful. Best results are obtained with combination of antibiotics such as Baytril and steroids like cortizone.
Hair blockage (fur block)
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Intermittent diarrhea, poor appetite or periods of no appetite, loss of weight, molt, pulling fur. Affects single animals. Non contagious. Physical blockage of small intestines that will not allow ingested food to flow through intestinal tract. Daily dosing animal with 1/2 tsp. mineral oil for 3 consecutive days. Repeat once a week. Fresh papya and pineapple.
Sore Hocks
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Ulcerated area on the bottom of the foot pads that has secondary infection Small foot pad area for size of body, thin fur covering for pad, nervous animals, long toe nails. Use dry solid surface for animlas to rest. Treat would with antibiotic ointment until healed.
Malocclusion (buck teeth)
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Elongation of upper and/or lower teeth. Often times to the extent that the animal will be unable to eat. Inherited condition in some animals. Breaking of one or more opposing teeth causing tooth elongation from not being worn off. Rabbit teeth grow 1/2 inch per month. Cull animals that have the inherited condition. Clipping of the teeth can be done, but not an ethical or intelligent practice with inherited malocclusion.


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