ARBA District 8 © All Rights Reserved. Ask in written permission for usage of any information on website.  | Photo Credits

Authors have submitted their articles for the usage on the District 8 Website.

Please obtain permission from authors to being using for other purposes then District 8 Website.

 

THE UPPER RESPIRATORY STORY
Written by Jay E. Hreiz, VMD - Veterinarian - ARBA Judge

A poll of any group of rabbit owners, regardless of their use, will usually reveal that an upper respiratory infection is one of the most frustrating diseases that they frequently deal with.  The term upper respiratory infection (URI) is the appropriate term to use.  Breeders tend to merge the terms URI, snuffles, and Pasteurella together which is incorrect.  This article will give you a quick tour of one of the most common and significant disease processes you will encounter as a rabbit breeder.

 

The first ground rule that must be laid is that this discussion will assume that rabbits will be TREATED for this condition.  Any owner that has a herd with this chronic condition will need to take a very good look at the prevalence and cull if necessary.  This WILL NOT guarantee that your herd will be free from the infection but it is good first treatment.

 

The common pathogens found in rabbits with chronic URIs include:

-Pasteurella multocida

-Staphylococcus aureus

-Enterobacter sp.

-Pseudomonas aeruginosa

-Bordatella bronchiseptica (a commensal,  debate as to whether this is actually a pathogen)

 

The signs of a URI in rabbits include:

-Unilateral or bilateral mucopurulent discharge from the nares (nostrils), aka “snot”

-Matting of the inner side of the front paws
-Chronic conjunctivitis and/or ocular discharge (weepy eye)

-Frequent sneezing

-Head tilt (usually due to a severe URI)

 

The following antibiotics that the author uses are in order of preferred use.  Should one antibiotic not work, proceed to the next antibiotic.  These antibiotics can be obtained from most small animal veterinarians as well as large animal veterinarians.  

1)  Trimethoprim sulfa/SMZ-TMP:

2)  Baytril (Enrofloxacin)

3)  Chloramphenicol

**Chloramphenicol is potentially harmful to humans if ingested or absorbed cutaneously.  WEAR GLOVES when giving this medication!

 

Problems that the typical rabbit breeder will run into is that antibiotics will help remove the clinical signs of disease and the rabbit appears to be better.  Weeks to months later the signs recrudesce and antibiotic therapy must begin again.  Why does this occur?  When treating a URI in domestic rabbits, consider the following simple advice:

 

URIs are relatively SIMPLE to TREAT

 

URIs are extremely DIFFICULT to CURE

 

Why is the above statement the rule rather the exception?  There are various reasons that have been presented, researched, and postulated.  The author feels the following reasons contribute to why these diseases are so frustrating to treat:

 

-It is speculated that over 75% of domestic rabbits that are not SPF (specific pathogen free) for P. multocida may actually harbor the organism

-Chronic infections have very high concentrations of the pathogen in the nasal turbinates and concha which the antibiotics that are used cannot penetrate efficiently.

-Poor ventilation in rabbitries contribute to the recrudescence of signs.

-There may be a viral and/or immuno-suppressive component to the disease syndrome.

 

Stress appears to be a potent catalyst for presentation of clinical signs.  Any rabbit being treated for a URI should have stress minimized.  This includes removal from sources of noise, a period of time where the rabbit is not shown, and not actively using the animal in a breeding program.  

 

These are just some of the reasons why this problem plagues rabbit breeders.  Breeders will commonly find themselves playing “antibiotic roulette” and this can become costly and frustrating over time.  Therefore, it may be in the breeders best interest to seriously consider culling affected animals from the herd rather than treating and risking infection to subsequent cage-mates.  

 

References and drug dosages available upon request

Special Topic Article

ARBA District 8 Special Topic Article