Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Vesicular Stomatitis in Rabbits: A Must-Read for Rabbit Keepers

1. Symptoms

Sick rabbits have difficulty eating and chewing, reduced appetite or refusal to eat, followed by indigestion, diarrhea, and dehydration. Body temperature rises to 40—41°C. They become depressed, gradually emaciated, and die of exhaustion after 5—10 days.

2. Prevention and Treatment Measures

Strengthen feeding management in normal times. Regularly disinfect rabbit houses, rabbit cages, and equipment with 0.5% peracetic acid or 2% sodium hydroxide solution. If rabbits with excessive salivation are found, they should be isolated for observation and treatment in a timely manner. Healthy rabbits can be fed concentrate mixed with 5 grams of sulfadimidine per kilogram for prevention. For symptomatic treatment and control of secondary infections, the following drugs can be selected.

1. Sulfadimidine, 0.2 grams per kilogram of body weight orally, twice daily for 4 consecutive days.

2. Moroxydine hydrochloride 1 tablet (0.2 grams), compound sulfamethoxazole 1/4 tablet (0.125 grams), vitamin B1 and vitamin B2 1 tablet each, mixed and ground into powder for oral administration, twice daily for 3 consecutive days.

3. Traditional Chinese medicine: Isatis leaf 10 grams, coptis 5 grams, wild chrysanthemum flower 15 grams, decocted in water for 5 rabbits to take orally.

4. Neptune injection, intramuscular injection 0.3 milliliters per kilogram of body weight, twice daily for 4 consecutive days, or double the dose orally.

For ulcers on the lips and oral mucosa, rinse with 2% boric acid solution or 2% alum water and 1% saline, then apply iodine glycerin or sprinkle Qingdai powder; you can also apply Yisaoguang solution, methyl violet solution, or Neptune injection, which have good local detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and astringent effects.