Rabbit Diseases: Common Causes And Treatment

Rabbit diseases are the main obstacle for successful rabbit farming. If diseases occur any farm then it reduces the production to unprofitable levels. So, preventing disease is very important for successful commercial or domestic rabbit production.

All rabbits should be inspected daily for any sings of diseases or ill health. And they should be isolated and held in quarantine which are sick and exposed to disease. Remove the dead rabbit from farm immediately and dispose hygienically.

The farmer should examine his rabbit daily and note how much feed and water they are consuming, their body color, fur or wool condition, nasal discharges, ear carriage and breathing. If any problem can be seen in any rabbit then separate that quickly and apply treatment.

Rabbit diseases generally caused by some living organism like bacteria, protozoa, virus, fungi etc. This types of organism attack the rabbit when care and management of a farm become very poor.

As we know that, “prevention is better than cure.” So, take some disease preventive steps to keep your rabbit healthy.

Different Rabbit Diseases

Name, causes, symptoms, prevention method and treatment of some common rabbit diseases are described below.

Rhinitis

This rabbit disease causes due to bacteria, virus or allergies. Rhinitis is also caused for excessive heat or cold, drafts, feed deficiencies, poor ventilation and other stress factors.

The main symptoms of this disease are sneezing and runny nose. The eyes many run often and their body temperature is bellow normal.

By the front paws they wips their nose and this causes wetting or natting of the fur or the paws. Sometimes nasal discharge become watery to thick.

Remove the infected rabbit from house and isolate them. Using nose drops containing sulfathiazol, tetracycline, oxytetracycline etc. are very useful for this disease.

Apply 2-3 drops in each nostril twice a day. Applying at morning or night is more effective than other times.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a viral or bacterial disease. This disease is related to other disease or stress factors like damp, drafty and unsanitary cages. Sometimes pneumonia occurs as a primary disease.

Pneumonia affected rabbit don’t want to eat food. They faces great problem while breathing. Elevated temperature, nasal discharges, labored breathing etc. can be seen. The affected rabbit may die soon.

After diagnosing pneumonia apply sulfa drugs and antibiotics for recovery. You may use a broad spectrum antibiotic.

Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis disease occurs for some different species of protozoa. If any rabbit get infected by this disease separate it from the healthy animal to keep them healthy.

This disease generally affects the young rabbit. They may suffers by diarrhea. Lose their appetite. Small white spots may be found in the liver of rabbit.

Serve the rabbit soluble chlortetracycline or oxytetracycline mixing water at the rate of 4g per 4.5 liters.

Abscesses

Abscesses is a bacterial rabbit disease. This occurs due to a bacteria.

The wounded and scratched places of their body get infected by bacteria. Enlargements under their skin near jaw can be seen.

Using peroxide, antibiotic ointment or powder may be effective for this disease. However, minimizing fighting among the rabbits can prevent spreading this disease.

Other Rabbit Diseases

Besides this diseases some other fatal rabbit diseases are shown below.

• Caked Mammary Gland
• Weepy Eye
• Ear Canker
• Enteritis Diarrhea
• Muciod
• Eye Infection
• Fur Block
• Fungus Infection
• Heat Exhaustion
• Hutch Burn
• Ketosis
• Mastitis
• Malocclusion
• Pasteurellosis
• Ringworm
• Salmonellosis
• Skin Mange
• Sore Hocks
• Spirochetosis
• Tyzzers Disease
• Warbles