Bacterial Causes of Respiratory Tract Infections in Rabbits

Introduction

Respiratory tract infections, which are the most common in rabbits after gastroenteric diseases and progress with high morbidity, can cause death if left untreated [1]. Rabbits necessarily only breathe through the nose because their epiglottis is located rostrally on the soft palate. Any obstruction in the nasal cavity causes wheezing [2]. Respiratory diseases in rabbits are divided into upper respiratory tract infections with a mild course and chronic mucopurulent discharge and lower respiratory tract infections that can cause a acute or subacute bronchopneumonia leading to high mortality [3]. The most frequently isolated agent in respiratory system infections of rabbits is Pasteurella multocida. Because Pasteurella species are found in the normal flora of the upper respiratory tract, the demonstration of Pasteurella alone without a pathological or immunological response in the host does not indicate infection. Inadequate housing conditions and malnutrition may predispose to pasteurellosis. It has been reported that the main modes of transmission are direct contact, airborne spread and formites [4]. The second most common isolate from rabbits with upper respiratory tract disease is Bordetella bronchiseptica. Other common isolates isolated from upper respiratory tract infections Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. Moraxella catarrhalis and Mycoplasma spp. Factors such as Escherichia coli, Chlamydophila, Mycobacterium, Pneumocystis oryctolagi play a role in lower respiratory tract infections [5].

Treatment

In respiratory system infections, sick animals with severe dyspnea and mouth breathing should be treated urgently.

Patients should be separated from healthy animals and taken into a quiet and dark environment. Antibiotics, mucolytics, bronchodilators and NSAIDs group drugs are used in the treatment. Antibiotic selection should be based on culture and sensitivity, and bactericidal drugs should be preferred. In general, 14 days of antibiotic treatment is used, but this period can be extended up to 3 months in severe infections [5]. Fluoroquinolones, penicillins, chloramphenicol, gentamicin and tetracyclines have been reported to be effective in treatment. It has been reported that the use of enrofloxacin (5 mg / kg SC q12h) for 14 days eliminated the disease [14]. Ciprofloxacin (20 mg/kg PO q24h) for 5 days has been reported to be effective in P. multocida infections [15]. Apart from these, penicillin G benzathine/penicillin G procain (40,000 IU/kg SC q24h x 2 week) has been reported to be effective in cases of Pasteurellosis [16].

Prevention

Hygiene conditions must be at the maximum level to prevent the spread of the disease to other animals. Cages should always have clean water and fresh water. Cage size should be large enough to meet the running needs of rabbits. Animals should not be housed in overcrowded cages. Sick animals should be kept in quarantine in an area separate from intact animals. It should be kept in mind that rabbits are inactive during the day and active active at night. They need to be careful and not go anywhere. Rabbits’ shelter areas should be built to prevent the contact of wild rodents. Appropriate ration should be prepared and feeding should be done.

Conclusion

Respiratory system infections caused by anatomical disadvantage, inadequate care conditions and microorganism interaction are frequently seen in rabbits and progress with a high morbidity/mortality rate. In addition to causing economic loss in rabbit breeding, respiratory system infections can also affect research results in experimental medicine applications. For this reason, it is important to know the systemic infectious agents and to determine the precautions to be taken against these agents. It is also a different perspective that should be considered in order to raise healthy animals and put them at the service of humanity.