What are the common diseases of rabbits? Learn to identify the symptoms and take good preventive measures

Rabbits are prone to a variety of diseases. Due to the rearing environment and individual factors, some illnesses can easily worsen, but because of their thick fur they are also hard to spot. Here at Qinnongwang, we have selected some conditions that are easy to notice yet poorly understood, to introduce to you.

1. Rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease

Rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease is a disease that rabbits are relatively susceptible to and that is quite harmful, and its multiple routes of transmission give many rabbit keepers a real headache. When it strikes, the speed depends on the rabbit's health: the fast type is sudden and the rabbit dies almost instantly, while the slow type leaves traceable signs. The slow type shows as the rabbit becoming very listless, with dull, lacklustre fur, running nonstop around the cage, and a marked rise in body temperature. Once this disease is detected, isolation and vaccination for prevention must be taken extremely seriously.

2. Coccidiosis

This is a disease caused by parasites, and because the parasitic sites vary it is hard to detect, but the symptomatic reactions are obvious. In the early stage it shows as not eating, then the rear part of the body tends to swell, and the faeces change from dry pellets to diarrhoea. In some cases, because the parasites are located near the head, there is long-term discharge of pale yellow solid matter from the eyes and nose, and the most serious case of all is bloody excretion. It is generally recommended to combine medications such as Qiulisha with injected coccidiosis drugs for a more obvious effect.

3. Rabbit pasteurellosis

Rabbit pasteurellosis is a virus transmitted by the rabbits themselves, so isolation and disinfection after detection must be done promptly. The affected area is mainly the nose; the usual symptoms are yellowing around the nose accompanied by pus-like fluid discharge, which causes difficulty breathing, and at this point the rabbit will often irritate the nose area with its paws. At this time gentamicin should be injected immediately, 1-2 times a day depending on the severity, and it will clear up in about 3 days.

4. Rabbit colibacillosis

This is a common gastrointestinal disease of rabbits, often triggered by improper feeding. In the early stage it shows as eating gradually less and a preference for lying still, then the belly slowly swells and the droppings gradually become blood-streaked. In severe cases, gas is occasionally expelled from the corners of the mouth and blood slowly seeps out there as well. Chloramphenicol is the medication most used to treat this condition, generally injected once a day for about 3 days.

The above are some common and fairly obvious conditions in rabbits. Some diseases are very similar, but the medications used are completely different, so be sure to compare carefully. Friends who need to learn about more other conditions can browse our website; our information on other aspects of rabbit care is also quite comprehensive.