What are the clinical symptoms of the chronic form of rabbit pasteurellosis?
Clinical symptoms of the chronic form of rabbit pasteurellosis
It presents as rhinitis, otitis media, conjunctivitis, inflammation of the reproductive organs, and local subcutaneous abscesses. In rabbits with rhinitis, a serous or white mucopurulent discharge flows from the nostrils and, mixed with food crumbs and rabbit hair, forms crusts that block the nostrils and cause difficulty breathing. Rabbits with otitis media tilt the head and neck to one side, and when stimulated will turn in circles and tumble, dying after several months. Conjunctivitis cases occur mostly in young and adult rabbits, with swollen eyelids, reddened conjunctiva, and a purulent discharge; in severe cases the discharge sticks to and mats the hair around the eyes, sealing the eyes shut and potentially causing blindness. Inflammation of the reproductive organs is mainly transmitted from diseased rabbits during mating; male rabbits develop orchitis and female rabbits develop metritis, losing their breeding value.