Bacterial Infections

PASTEURELLOSIS (Gram Negative)
Etiology: Pasteurella multocida
Perhaps one of the most common disease conditions and reasons for presentation to the veterinary hospital, Pasteurellosis has several disease forms. Rabbits develop little immunity after infection with this bacteria and thus are unable to mount an appropriate immune response. Also, the prevalence of asymptomatic carriers is high (approximately 30-90% of apparently healthy rabbits). Transmission is by both direct and indirect contact.
The respiratory form is sometimes referred to as "SNUFFLES," this is the most common clinical form. There is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the air passages and the lungs. Pneumonia may be a sequella.
Clinical Signs: Serous to mucopurulent nasal exudate and ocular discharge, coughing, and sneezing (rhinitis). Nasal discharge may also accumulate on the front limbs from persistent pawing at the nares.
Diagnosis: stained smear of nasal exudate, culture, and the clinical signs.
other manifestations of Pasteurellosis are pneumonia, otitis media (perhaps leading to torticollis), conjunctivitis, abscesses, septicemia, and genital infections.
Treatment: Enrofloxacin (Baytril) at 5 mg/kg P0 or Sub-Q Bid for 14 days. Abscesses: An abscess in a rabbit MUST be surgically excised. There is a greater chance of reoccurrence by just lancing the area and installing a drain. This is due to the thick capsule around the abscess with a thick "cheesy"interior.

BORDATELLA PNEUMONIA (Gram Negative)
Etiology: Bordatella brouchiseptica
Transmission: aerosol
Clinical Signs: Upper respiratory signs: serous to mucopurulent nasal exudate with or without sneezing.
Diagnosis: stained slide of nasal exudate; culture
Treatment: Oxytetracycline at 0.1 mg/ml

STAPHYLOCOCCAL INFECTIONS (Gram Positive)
Presents with a wide range of clinical signs including: subcutaneous abscesses, dermatitis, upper
respiratory infections with a mucopurulent nasal discharge, and septicemia.
Diagnosis: Grams stain on exudate; culture
Treatment: Enrofloxacin (Baytril) at 5 mg/kg P0 or Sub-Q Bid for 14 days. An abscess in a rabbit
MUST be surgically excised.

BLUE FUR DISEASE (Gram Negative)
Etiology: Pseudomoizas aeruginosa
Clinical Signs: Rabbit presents with a moist dermatitis that can progress to an ulcerative dermatitis.
Commonly found on areas that are wet with saliva or urine.
Treatment: Area must be cleaned and treated with a topical antibiotic preparation. If the animal is debilitated, systemic antibiotics may be used. Be sure inciting cause is addressed as well (ex.- improve sanitation in the rabbits' environment).

TYZZER'S DISEASE (Gram negative)
Etiology: Clostridium pihfoime
Clinical Signs: Diarrhea brought on by an acute bacillary typhlitis. Primarily seen in weanling rabbits.

Diagnosis: Giemsa or PAS stain on histological section of the liver.
Treatment: Tetracycline at 50 mg/kg P0 Bid for 5-14 days or Chioramphenicol at 30-50 mg/kg P0 Bid
for 5-14 days.

COLIBACILLOSIS (Gram Negative)
Etiology: Escherichia coli
Clinical Signs: Insidious onset of diarrhea in 1-3 month old rabbits and sudden death.
Diagnosis: Fecal culture
Treatment: Culture and Sensitivity results (can use enrofloxacin or tetracycline while awaiting results).
Supportive therapy including fluids (IV/Sub-Q) and diet management.

SALMONELLOSIS: (Gram Negative)

Etiology: Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteritides
Clinical Signs: Anorexia, fever, dehydration, hemorrhagic diarrhea, and death. May also cause pregnant
does to abort.
Diagnosis: Blood culture; fecal culture; serology (titer).
Treatment: Culture and Sensitivity results (can use enrofloxacin or tetracycline while awaiting results).

SCHMORL'S DISEASE (Gram Negative)
Etiology: Fusobaclerium necrophoriim
Clinical Signs: abscesses, skin ulceration/dermatitis- lesions common on face (because of cecotrophy)
and on the feet. Lesions are necrotic and foul smelling.
Diagnosis: characteristic lesions and culture.
Treatment and Control: Clean wounds with a good antiseptic solution (povidone iodine); perform culture and sensitivity for anti microbial therapy (can use enrofloxacin or tetracycline while awaiting
results); Excise all abscesses.