Most common diseases in rabbits

Content

• Types of Diseases and Basic Prevention
• Viral diseases
• Bacterial and fungal diseases
• External parasitic diseases
• Internal parasitic diseases
• Hereditary diseases
• Other common health problems in rabbits

If you have a rabbit or are thinking about adopting one, you should find out about several things so you can ensure that it has a good life. Keep in mind that your domestic rabbit, well cared for and in good health, can live for between 6 and 8 years.

So, if you want to enjoy the most of years with your friend with long ears, keep reading this new article by PeritoAnimal and acquire the basic knowledge about the problems and the most common diseases in rabbits, to know when to act and take your friend to the vet.

Types of Diseases and Basic Prevention

Rabbits can suffer from diseases of very different origins, like any living being. Next, we classify and describe the most common diseases according to their origin - bacterial, fungal, viral, parasitic, hereditary and other health problems.

most Rabbit diseases are specific to their species., which means they do not spread between different animal species. That way, if you have another animal that lives with your friend that will jump around, you don't have to worry (in principle) with possible contagion of serious diseases.

To be able to prevent the vast majority of common illnesses and problems, must follow the vaccination schedule that the veterinarian indicates, maintain good hygiene, provide adequate and healthy food, ensure exercise as well as good rest, ensure that the rabbit is stress-free, check its body and fur frequently, in addition to to observe your behavior so that, in the smallest detail that seems strange in your individual behavior, contact the veterinarian.

By following these guidelines, you will easily avoid health problems. If they appear, you will be able to detect them in time, making the recovery of your furry faster and more efficient. Next, we will explain the most common diseases of rabbits according to their origin.

Viral diseases

• Anger: This viral disease is spread all over the world, but it is also eradicated in many parts of the planet as there is effective vaccination that is mandatory in many places in the world. Many mammals are affected by this disease, among which is the Oryctolagus cuniculus. If you have your rabbit's vaccination up to date, avoiding possible contacts with animals that seem to be sick with rabies, you can be relaxed. In any case, you should know that there is no cure and that it is best to avoid prolonging the suffering of the infected animal.
  
  
• Rabbit hemorrhagic disease: This disease is caused by a calicivirus and is transmitted very quickly. Furthermore, it can be infected both directly and indirectly. The entry routes for this infection are nasal, conjunctival and oral. The most common symptoms are nervous and respiratory signs, in addition to anorexia and apathy. As this virus manifests itself very aggressively, causing seizures and nosebleeds, infected animals usually die a few hours after the onset of the first symptoms. Therefore, it is best to prevent this disease by following the vaccination schedule indicated by the veterinarian.Rabbits are usually given an annual bivalent vaccine that covers this disease and myxomatosis.

• Myxomatosis: The first symptoms appear 5 or 6 days after infection. The animal gains a lack of appetite, eyelid inflammation, inflammation of the lips, ears, breasts and genitals, in addition to swelling of the nose with transparent nasal secretion and pustules around the mucous membranes. There is no treatment for this disease, and the ideal is to prevent it with adequate vaccines in spring and summer, with summer being the time of year with the greatest risk. The vehicles or transmitters of the virus that cause this disease are hematophagous insects, which means that they feed on blood, such as mosquitoes, some flies, ticks, fleas, lice, horseflies, etc. Rabbits can also be infected by contact with other individuals who are already sick. Sick animals die between the second and fourth week after infection.

Bacterial and fungal diseases

• Pasteurellosis: This disease has a bacterial origin and can be produced by two different types of bacteria: pasteurella and bordetella. The most common factors that favor this bacterial infection are the dust from the dry food you give your rabbit, the environment and climate of the place where you live and stress that may have accumulated. The most common symptoms include sneezing, snoring and a lot of nasal mucus. It can be treated with specific antibiotics that will be very effective if the disease is not very advanced.

• Pneumonia: In this case, the symptoms are also respiratory and include sneezing, nasal mucus, snoring, coughing, etc. In this way, it is similar to pasteurellosis but it is a much deeper and more complicated bacterial infection that reaches the lungs. Its treatment is also done with specific antibiotics.

• Tularemia: This bacterial disease is very serious as it has no symptoms, the animal just stops eating. It can only be diagnosed with laboratory tests as it cannot be based on more symptoms or tests that can be performed at the time during the veterinary consultation. By not eating any food, the affected rabbit can die between the second and fourth day. This disease is associated with fleas and mites.

• Generalized abscesses: The most common abscesses in rabbits are lumps under the skin that are filled with pus and are caused by bacteria. You should consult your veterinarian to start treatment as soon as possible and you should make cures to eliminate the bacterial infection and the abscesses themselves.

• Conjunctivitis and eye infections: They are produced by bacteria on the eyelids of rabbits. The eyes inflame and profuse eye secretions occur. In addition, in more serious cases, the hair around the eyes sticks together, the eyes are full of redness and secretions that prevent the animal from opening its eyes, and there may even be pus. Conjunctivitis can be bacterial in origin, and the cause is irritation produced by different allergens such as house dust, tobacco smoke or dust in your bed if it contains very volatile particles such as sawdust. You should apply specific eye drops prescribed by your trusted veterinarian for as long as he tells you.

• Pododermatitis: Also known as necrobacillosis, it occurs when the rabbit's environment is moist and the soil in the cage is not the most suitable. Thus, wounds are produced that infect with bacteria that end up producing pododermatitis in the paws of infected rabbits. It's a very contagious disease, as the bacteria lodge in almost any point of small wounds or even cracks in the skin that don't actually hurt. Learn more about this problem in the PeritoAnimal article about calluses on rabbits' paws, their treatment and prevention.

• He had: It is produced by a fungus that affects the skin of rabbits. It reproduces quickly through spores. Thus, if it occurs, it is difficult to control the contagion of other individuals who cohabit. It affects hairless areas that take on a rounded shape and crusts on the skin, especially on the animal's face.

• Middle ear and inner ear diseases: These complications are caused by bacteria and greatly affect the balance organ located in the ear, with the most obvious symptoms being loss of balance and head rotation to one side or the other, depending on the affected ear. These symptoms usually only appear when the disease is advanced and, therefore, guardians do not realize the problem until late. At this stage, almost no treatment is usually effective.
  
  
• Coccidiosis: This disease produced by coccidia is one of the deadliest for rabbits. Coccidia are microorganisms that attack from the stomach to the colon. These microorganisms live in balance in the rabbit's digestive system in a normal way, but when there are very high stress levels and low levels of important defenses, the coccidia multiply uncontrollably and affect the rabbit negatively. The most common symptoms are hair loss, digestive disorders such as excessive gas and continuous diarrhea. In the end, the affected rabbit stops eating and drinking water, which causes its death.

External parasitic diseases

• Scabies: Scabies is produced by mites that tunnel through the various layers of the skin, even reaching the muscles of the infested animal. That's where they reproduce and lay their eggs from where new mites hatch that produce more itching, sores, scabs, etc. In the case of rabbits, there are two types of mange, the one that affects the skin of the body in general and the one that only affects the ears and ears. Scabies is very contagious among rabbits and transmission occurs through contact with already infested animals. It can be prevented and treated with ivermectin.

• Fleas and lice: If your rabbit spends part of the day outside in the garden or in contact with dogs or cats that go outside, it is likely to end up with fleas or lice. The tutor must avoid it deworming mainly the pets that can gain them more easily, such as dogs or cats. In addition, you must use a specific antiparasitic for rabbits indicated by your veterinarian. In addition to problems of excessive itching caused by parasites, you should take into account that they are hematophagous and therefore feed on your pet's blood with their bite. They often transmit many diseases in this way, such as myxomatosis and tularemia.

Internal parasitic diseases

• Diarrhea: Diarrhea is very common in rabbits of any age, but especially in small rabbits. The digestive tract of these small mammals is very delicate and sensitive. Among the most common causes are sudden changes in diet and consumption of poorly washed fresh foods. Therefore, you should ensure that any fresh food is washed well with water before offering it to the rabbit. If you have to change your diet for any reason, you should do it gradually: mixing the food you want to remove with the new one and, little by little, introducing more of the new one and removing more of the old one. So your digestive system starts adapting properly to the change without creating problems.

• Coliform infection: It consists of a secondary infection by opportunistic parasites. When our rabbit already suffers from coccidiosis, for example, this disease makes secondary infections easily occur. Coliform infection in rabbits occurs thanks to Escherichia coliand the main symptom, as well as the most serious problem it produces, is continuous diarrhea. If it is not treated in time with injectable enrofloxacin or well diluted in the rabbit's water, it can end up causing the animal's death.

Hereditary diseases

• Tooth overgrowth or upper and/or lower jaw shortening malformation: It is a hereditary problem that occurs due to overgrowth of teeth, whether the upper or lower incisors, which ends up dislocating the mandible or maxillary back due to space problems. This makes your rabbit not able to feed well and, in severe cases, it can even die of starvation if you don't visit the vet regularly to have its teeth cut or sanded. Your nutrition should also be facilitated when it is verified that you are not eating alone. Find out more about how to act if your rabbit's teeth are growing abnormally.

Other common health problems in rabbits

• Stress: Stress in rabbits can be caused by a number of problems in their environment. For example, the fact that they feel alone or lack affection, changes in their environment, in the home, and in the partners they live with. Not having enough space to live, poor nutrition or lack of exercise can also put stress on your eared rabbit.

• Colds: Rabbits also get constipated when they are exposed to excessive air currents and moisture. This happens most often if your rabbit is stressed or has low defenses. Symptoms include sneezing, profuse runny nose, puffy, watery eyes, etc.
  
  
• Inflammations and suppurative wounds of the skin: It is easy that when living in a cage, even if it is only for a few hours of the day, it is verified that the rabbit has an inflamed area or even a wound. You should be on the lookout and check the body of your long-legged furry friend every day, as these inflammations and sores usually infect very quickly and start to festering with pus. This greatly weakens the rabbit's health, and may even die of an infection.

• Eyelid intussusception: It's a problem where the eyelids fold inward. In addition to being a great nuisance for your pet, the problem ends up producing irritation and suppurations in the tear ducts and even infects, causing blindness.

• Hair fall and ingestion: Hair loss in rabbits is usually caused by stress and a lack of nutrients and vitamins in their daily diet. For these reasons, they often eat the hair that falls out. Therefore, if you detect that this is happening to your friend, you should take him to the vet to find out what is wrong with his diet or what is stressing the rabbit and, thus, correct the problem.

• Reddish urine: It is a dietary deficiency in the rabbit that causes this color in the urine. You should review your diet and balance it, as there is a high probability that you are offering too many green vegetables or that you are lacking in some vitamin, vegetable or fiber. Not to be confused with bloody urine, as this is a more serious problem that requires immediate action on the part of the veterinarian.

• Cancer: The cancer that most often affects rabbits is that of the genitals, both in males and females. For example, in the case of female rabbits, those that are not sterilized have an 85% chance of suffering from cancer of the uterus and ovaries by the age of 3 years. At 5 years, this risk rises to 96%. Sterilized rabbits and rabbits can live with their guardians for a period of between 7 and 10 years without problems, when they live in adequate and healthy conditions.

• Obesity: In domestic rabbits, obesity or excessive weight is increasingly frequent, being caused by the type and amount of food they receive and the little exercise they practice daily. Find out more about your pet's health problem in our article on rabbit obesity, its symptoms and diet.

• Insolation: Rabbits are more accustomed to cold than heat, as they come from areas with cooler temperatures than most of the year. That's why some breeds of rabbits can withstand temperatures down to -10º when they have shelter. However, if temperatures hover or exceed 30 º C they are too high. If they are exposed to this climate without water and without a cool shelter to regulate their temperature, they can easily suffer from heat stroke and die in a short time with cardiac arrest. They may also die of dehydration, but cardiac arrest is likely to occur first. The easiest symptoms to see are continuous wheezing and checking that the rabbit stretches all 4 legs so that its belly touches the ground and cools down a bit. If you detect this behavior, you should lower the animal's temperature by taking it to a cooler and more ventilated place and applying a little fresh water to the head and armpits. In the meantime, try to cool the area of ​​the house where the rabbit is located so that when you put it back in the cage, the place has a normal temperature.

This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.