Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
sion. This can become a serious issue, as overgrown teeth will lead to the rabbit not being able
to eat properly or to mouth and jaw problems. A rabbit with this condition will need to have
its teeth regularly trimmed by a veterinarian. Ordinarily, rabbits with normal teeth do not need
to have them trimmed. Hay in the diet seems to help lessen the occurrence of teeth overgrow-
ing.
Pasteurellosis:
This disease is caused by the bacterium
Pasteurella multocida
. Pasteurellosis
causes many different types of infections including snuffles (rhinitis), abscesses, pneumonia,
pyometra (uterine infection), ear infections, and eye infections. This is a common disease of
the nasal sinuses. The rabbit has trouble breathing due to a thick discharge from the nose and
makes a characteristic nasal sound when trying to breathe. The front paws may become wet
with the discharge as it tries to clean its nose. The rabbit can spread the disease through sneez-
ing, and objects used in its cage become loaded with the microorganism. It is difficult to erad-
icate the bacteria from the infected rabbits, although antibiotics can be used in pet or show an-
imals. If the rabbits are used for meat, it is not advisable to give them antibiotics as it can re-
main in the meat for some time after administration; this is an illegal practice in most states.
Penicillin is
not
to be used in rabbits, as it can cause a fatal toxemia in this species. Rabbits
affected with pasteurellosis in a commercial enterprise should be culled and their carcasses
burned or buried to prevent the spread of the disease. All equipment and cages the sick rabbit
contacted should be thoroughly disinfected.
Pododermatitis:
This condition comes with ulcers or sores on the feet or footpads. It is usu-
ally associated with rabbits kept on wire-floored cages. To treat, place a flat piece of wood on
the floor of the cage, and clean it frequently if it becomes dirty. Using straw bedding can help
alleviate the condition as well. Sores or ulcers can be treated with protective ointments you
can obtain from your local veterinarian's office.
Torticollis (wry neck):
Wry neck occurs when otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear)
spreads to the inner ear. The inner ear regulates an animal's equilibrium, so when it is infected
or damaged it causes the head to tilt. An inner ear infection is hard to treat as antibiotics have
difficulty penetrating this area of the body. Rabbits that do recover from an inner ear infection
may have a permanent head tilt.
Urolithiasis:
Rabbits excrete calcium in their urine, which gives the urine a cloudy appear-
ance. Because of this excretion, they are prone to urine calcium sludge or stone formation.
Feeding rabbits an excessive amount of calcium (as can be found in alfalfa hay) or genetics
