What are the prevention and control measures for Tyzzer's disease in rabbits?

Recently, many cases have been reported from all over the country. Farmers believe it is ordinary diarrhea or diarrhea caused by coccidia, but in fact it is Tyzzer's disease in rabbits caused by Bacillus piliformis. It not only causes sudden death of young rabbits, but there are also many cases of death in female rabbits.

Overview

This disease is caused by Bacillus piliformis and is an infectious disease characterized by severe diarrhea, dehydration and rapid death.

Pathogen

Pathogen of Tyzzer's disease in rabbits: Bacillus piliformis is a strict intracellular parasite. The bacterial body is slender, Gram-negative, and stains well with Giemsa. This bacterium is pleomorphic, has flagella, is motile, and can produce spores. Although this bacterium is prone to autolysis in vitro, liver lesions from infected animals stored at minus 10 degrees Celsius remain infectious after 16 months. General disinfectants (formaldehyde, peracetic acid, sodium hypochlorite, phenol, benzalkonium bromide, etc.) can kill this pathogen within 5 minutes, but after forming spores its infectivity can last as long as 1 year.

Epidemiological Characteristics

This disease exists not only in rabbits, but also in a variety of laboratory animals and livestock. Both morbidity and mortality are very high. The spectrum of susceptible animals is broad, and rabbits of all ages can be infected and develop the disease. Late autumn to early spring is the peak season. The pathogen is shed in feces, contaminating equipment, the environment, feed, drinking water, etc., and infection occurs through the digestive tract. After infection, rabbits do not immediately develop the disease; instead, the pathogen invades the intestine and slowly proliferates, causing disease when the body's resistance declines. Stress factors such as crowding, overheating, drastic climate changes, long-distance transport, and improper feeding and management are often triggers of this disease.

Symptoms and Lesions

Sudden onset, severe diarrhea, feces appearing brown, lethargy, complete loss of appetite, rapid dehydration; in the early stage, pasty feces with bubbles, later watery feces; rough coat. The course of acute death is generally 12—48 hours. Rabbits that survive have poor appetite, stunted growth, weight loss, and weakness.

Pathological Changes

1. The liver is yellow; on close examination there are hemorrhagic spots, though in some cases no hemorrhagic spots can be seen.

2. Necrotizing hemorrhagic enteritis.

3. In the cecum, the anterior segment of the colon, and the posterior segment of the ileum, the intestinal mucosa is atrophied and necrotic, and the serosal surface is congested and hemorrhagic; some even become yellow and wrinkled due to necrosis. The cecal vermiform appendix is hemorrhagic. The contents of the cecum and colon are liquid and often contain fresh blood.

4. The spleen is atrophied.

5. The myocardium is pale.

Prevention

1. Strengthen feeding and management. Normally, strictly implement veterinary sanitation and epidemic prevention measures for the rabbit herd, carry out rodent control well, and prevent rats from entering rabbit houses, feed and equipment rooms, and forage and bedding rooms, and minimize and eliminate various stress factors. In large infected animal populations, it is relatively difficult to eliminate this disease. Only early detection and culling of diseased animals, as well as timely and regular disinfection, are possible. In small rabbit farms, when this disease is confirmed, isolation should be carried out promptly, and those with no treatment value should be resolutely culled. Rabbit houses, rabbit cages, and equipment, etc. should be thoroughly disinfected (flame disinfection, disinfection with Xiudian or Liangdian), and dead rabbits and excreta should be burned or deeply buried in a timely manner to control the spread of the pathogen.

2. Use Tu'an + Sihuang Zhili Granules, diluted in 400 jin of water, and let them drink continuously for 3-5 days.

Treatment Plan

1. Tu'an + doxycycline hydrochloride + Sihuang Zhili Granules

2. Shutan + doxycycline hydrochloride + Sihuang Zhili Granules

3. Shutan + doxycycline hydrochloride + Mianyitai

Any of the above plans: dilute in 200 jin of water and let them drink continuously for 3-5 days (after the onset of this disease, rabbits do not eat well). After recovery, increase water intake and let them drink 0.5% sugar-salt water continuously for 3-5 days.