The Most Common Diseases of Rabbits and Their Prevention

Although there may be only a few diseases affecting rabbits (compared to dogs and cats), it goes without saying that the aim is to maintain good health. Infectious diseases are those caused by germs (viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi) and spread among animals.

Infectious diseases may spread directly by contact with an infected animal (by skin contact, secretions and excreta, etc.) or indirectly. The indirect form of spreading is not to be underestimated, because transmission takes place through infected feed, drinking water, litter, as well as breeding aids or breeders’ clothing.

The most common infectious diseases of rabbits

The lower indicated diseases appear most frequently:

Rabbit plague (RHD, VHD, hemorrhagic septicemia of rabbits)

Viral rapid-going disease in rabbits, which spreads rapidly, has high morbidity and mortality. The transmission is direct or indirect. A frequent description of breeders is the sudden death of a rabbit with symptoms of choking, whereby non-clotted blood may come out of the nose. At autopsy, organ bleeds are detected with a predominant pathological change in the liver. In 2017, a new form of the disease, called RHDV2, was diagnosed in the Czech Republic.. There is no treatment.

Effective prevention means vaccination according to the vaccine manufacturer’s scheme. In breeding practice, it is recommended to vaccinate breeding rabbits twice a year.

Fig. 1: – Sudden death is often described in rabbit plague 

Myxomatosis

Viral rapid disease, characterized by the formation of pathological changes to the skin and high fever. Transmission is direct or indirect (primarily through blood-sucking insects). A few days after infection, general symptoms of the disease later occur, accompanied by characteristic formation of myxomas in the skin of rabbits, especially on the head. The occurrence of the disease is associated with the culmination of stinging insects. Recently, the Czech Republic has encountered less pronounced clinical manifestations, when a larger proportion of individuals are able to recover, but they still have myxoma scars. Treatment is not performed.

Effective prevention means vaccination according to the vaccine manufacturer’s scheme. In breeding practice, it is recommended to vaccinate breeding rabbits twice a year.

Encephalitozoon

Diseases caused by the microsporidial parasite Encephalitozoon cuniculi. In the Czech Republic, this disease has recently been diagnosed more frequently, especially in pet rabbits. In general, it has been shown that the causative agent was carried by a significant proportion of rabbits for a relatively long time – without any apparent pathological manifestation. Clinical symptoms of the disease are mainly associated with stress and greater strain on the body (e.g. summer temperatures, extreme cold, exhaustion, convalescence after illness, pregnancy and rearing of offspring, etc.). The main clinical symptoms are tilting the head to the side (resulting in irregular movement, no movement possible in the end stage) and kidney problems. Treatment exists, but is long-term and uncertain, especially if therapy is started later.

Fig. 2: Neurological symptoms of encephalitozoonosis

Coccidiosis

It is a parasitic disease caused by intestinal coccidia – single-cell parasites of the genus Eimeria. Developmental stages are transmitted by the ingestion of feces. The critical age for infecting offspring is 5-7 weeks. Sick offspring are apathetic, hunched, dehydrated, with a serrated back and grind their teeth. Coccidiosis can be treated in the initial phase of the disease, in more advanced conditions the prognosis is unfavorable. Prevention consists of good nutrition and good environmental hygiene.

Ear mange

It is a parasitic disease caused by rabbit mumps (Psoroptes cuniculi), which is characterized by crustitis of the ear and the external auditory canal and severe itching. It is transmitted directly and indirectly. Treat with appropriate anti-parasitic agents.

Cheyletiellosis

It is a parasitic disease caused by the mite Cheyletiella parasitovorax, resulting in a scaly inflammation of the skin in the back and backbone area. Modern scientific publications consider the mite as merely a commensal, while its overgrowth and parasitism occur when the organism weakens. It is transmitted directly and indirectly. The disease is typically more likely to be found in older rabbits. The treatment is similar to that of ear mites.

Rabbit syphilis

It is a bacterial, chronic disease caused by the spirochete Treponema cuniculi, which is characterized by the formation of crustic changes on the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals, later on the head and ears. The disease has a protracted course, clinical manifestations may occur only 2 months after the infection (mostly directly at the coitus, other ways of transmission are discussed). The disease is treatable with injected antibiotics. Prevention is to control the health of rabbits before pairing.

Rabbit rhinitis

It is a bacterial disease that lasts for various periods of time with a prevalence of respiratory problems. The effect of the bacteria Pasteurella multocida (pasteurellosis) is considered essential, but the condition is almost always accompanied by pathological action of other bacteria. Many of these species naturally populate the airways of the rabbit and show pathological effects only when the organism is weakened (higher ammonia concentration in the air, higher humidity, overcrowded pens, mixed groups of rabbits from different breeds, etc.). Other symptoms may include the formation of abscesses in the skin or internal organs. The disease is transmitted directly or indirectly. Droplet infection, however, only at a short distance (specific breeding). Treatment exists but is complicated.

Disease diagnosis and treatment

The diagnosis and treatment of sick rabbits is the responsibility of a veterinarian.

It follows from the above description of the disease that a number of diseases in rabbits are caused or complicated by improper practices in housing, feeding and handling rabbits. Therefore, the approach to maintaining good rabbit health should be comprehensive, so-called preventive medicine, where the farmer should ensure an optimal level of nutrition, zootechnics and zoohygiene backed by regular veterinary care. With this approach, it is possible to prevent the selected rabbit diseases.

Fig. 3: Healthy rabbit