Correct and timely treatment of pasteurellosis in rabbits
Infectious disease is the real scourge of modern farming. Therefore, the treatment of pasteurellosis in rabbits is carried out when the first signs of the disease appear. If at least one individual falls ill, then the entire livestock may die. The disease is transmitted by airborne droplets or through wounds on the skin. According to statistics, mortality from the disease ranges from 15 to 75%. In conditions of improper maintenance and feeding, these indicators reach 90-95%. In this regard, you need to do everything possible to prevent the spread of infection.
Detailed overview of pasteurellosis
Pasteurella is preserved:
- in water and corpses up to 3 months;
- in manure up to 30 days;
- on a galvanized mesh for 23 days;
- on wooden surfaces about 56 days;
- in soil up to 72-84 hours;
- in direct sunlight for several minutes.
At temperatures above 75 ° C, microorganisms die instantly. Infected or recovered animals are carriers of harmful pathogens. The main route of infection in most cases is the respiratory tract. In addition, people can be carriers if there are dangerous bacteria on their clothes, shoes or equipment. Also, infection occurs through feces, urine, poultry, dogs or other livestock. First of all, bacteria infect weakened and young individuals. Therefore, when treating pasteurellosis in rabbits, the dosage and methods of medication must be taken into account. 
All age categories and breeds of rabbits are susceptible to pasteurellosis. In addition, the infectious disease is not seasonal or territorial, which makes the risk of an outbreak of an epidemic very high.
Symptoms
Pasteurella enters the animal's body through the respiratory tract. In such a favorable environment, they begin to multiply rapidly, penetrating into the lymph and blood. The infection spreads with lightning speed throughout the body. This leads to damage to the walls of all vessels, due to which they become permeable.
Autopsy of diseased animals showed the presence of multiple hemorrhages:
- on the mucous membrane of the larynx, trachea and heart bag (pericardium);
- in the liver and kidneys (small necrosis);
- on the serous membrane (connective tissue between the peritoneal cavity and internal organs);
- in the lungs (dead tissue was found in the form of capsular formations, as well as signs of pneumonia).
The incubation period for pasteurellosis lasts from 3 hours to several days. Depending on the virus strain, the disease often occurs in acute or hyperacute forms.
As the disease progresses, the lymph nodes increase dramatically, and swelling appears. The spleen increases 2-3 times, in addition, the organ is filled with blood.
Often, the symptoms of pasteurellosis in rabbits resemble the common cold:
- increased body temperature up to 41˚С;
- weakness;
- sneezing, runny nose, labored and rapid breathing;
- tearing;
- lack of appetite.
However, in the future, the condition worsens, since the gastrointestinal tract is also affected.The abdomen is distended, which is often accompanied by vomiting. Severe diarrhea begins, which leads to complete exhaustion of the body. After a couple of days, the animal dies.
At the same time, the chronic course of the disease manifests itself in a slightly different way:
- rhinitis;
- conjunctivitis;
- keratoconjunctivitis (damage to the cornea of the eye);
- difficulty breathing;
- the appearance of abscesses in the subcutaneous tissue, which are opened after 1-2 months, exuding pus with a huge amount of pasteurella.
At the stage of exacerbation, the symptomatology changes its "appearance". Bacteria at this stage mainly affect the respiratory system. In this regard, bronchopneumonia is most often observed in animals.
As some farmers have noted, a repeated outbreak of pasteurellosis is accompanied by the appearance of red swelling on the eyelids and eye membranes. A purulent rash also appears near the mouth and nose.
Stepwise treatment of pasteurellosis in rabbits
A correct diagnosis can save the life of an entire herd. To put it, be sure to invite a veterinarian. On the basis of general diagnostics, which includes not only a clinical examination, but also a bacteriological study of the pathological materials of dead individuals, the specialist comes to the correct conclusion. Having learned the exact cause of death, the veterinarian prescribes effective therapy.
To date, a formol vaccine against pasteurellosis has been found. A specific agent is applied to all animals that have reached 2 months of age for prophylactic purposes.
To begin with, the corpses of dead rabbits are burned in a fire. Each individual is examined daily. Patients and suspected pasteurellosis are isolated. Washstands and sanitizers for staff are installed in the room.
Conduct unscheduled disinfection of structures and equipment using solutions such as:
- carbolic acid (1-2%);
- bleach (2% chlorine);
- hot creolin (3-5%);
- caustic soda (2%);
- slurry of freshly slaked lime (10-20%);
- mercuric chloride (1: 1000).
Disinfect everything that has been in contact with infected animals. Feeders are especially carefully processed, cellsas well as clothing. At the entrance to the room, put a dizzy mat soaked in a solution of caustic soda and bleach (2% compounds).
To stop the spread of pasteurellosis, regular wetting with disinfectants of manure, debris, food residues and bedding will help.
Drug therapy
Patients, as well as those who have been in contact with the infected, are injected with hyperimmune serum for rabbits against pasteurellosis. General vaccination against hemorrhagic septicemia is carried out in a mandatory manner in order to protect all livestock.
In parallel with this drug, antibiotics are given:
- Streptomycin;
- Tetracycline;
- Biomycin (20 mg / kg body weight);
- Oxytetracycline (Terramycin);
- Levomycetin.
Intramuscular injections are administered 1 or 2 times with an interval of 10-12 hours. When treating pasteurellosis in acute rabbits, the course of therapy is extended to 3-5 days. In addition, drugs for diarrhea and vomiting are used to relieve symptoms. Some give Sulfanilamide tablets for 3-4 days according to the instructions.
However, self-medication in this case is not acceptable. When the first signs of an infectious disease appear, they immediately consult a doctor.