Coccidiosis in rabbits: treatment, symptoms, prevention, signs of illness

Coccidiosis in rabbits kept at home with a decorative purpose is a rare phenomenon. But for their brethren, bred for obtaining meat and skins, the disease poses a serious threat.

What is dangerous coccidiosis rabbits

These animals are prone to many infectious ailments. The greatest damage is caused by viral diseases of rabbits. Thus, one of the diseases that sharply reduces the effectiveness of growing animals, is coccidiosis (eimeriosis). When kept on a litter, the invasion spreads very quickly and affects all the rabbit population. Existing drugs have sufficient efficacy, both for treatment and for disease prevention, but they are very expensive. The ill animal is forever behind in growth and development. In addition, coccidiosis in rabbits can occur in a latent form and provoke a decrease in resistance to other diseases, as well as contribute to poor digestibility of feed. As a result, food intake increases, and the increase in live weight remains below the average.

Therefore, the basis for successful cultivation are measures that prevent coccidiosis in rabbits (after all, treatment is always more expensive than prevention). The economic damage from shortage of production at an outbreak of eimeriosis is huge. If we consider parasitic diseases of rabbits, coccidiosis is the most dangerous invasion, since it is characterized by a high incidence rate, and in the absence of treatment, mortality can reach 100%.

Causes of the disease

Coccidiosis in rabbits is caused by nine species of Ameri. These are the simplest unicellular organisms that belong to the order of coccidia. They have a complex cycle of development, thanks to which the parasite has tremendous reproducibility. It is established that one diseased animal releases from the day 9 to 680 million oocysts of coccidia to the external environment. Several ounces of Eumery develop from one oocyst. Another peculiarity of the parasite is that each species has strict specificity. Therefore, despite the fact that all classes of animals are affected by coccidiosis, rabbits can only catch rabbits, chickens - only from chickens, sheep - only from sheep and so on.

The complexity of treatment and prevention of invasion is that coccidia are widespread, and the infestation of rabbits with eumeria ranges from 70-100%. Sick and sick animals, adult rabbits parasitic carriers release spore forms of the pathogen (oocysts) with feces into the external environment. It is almost impossible to destroy such a form of causative agent, since the dispute is very resistant to the effects of chemical and physical factors. Oocysts are transported on the sole of shoes, with inventory, pollute walking yards. In addition, rabbits are arranged so that eating their own feces is an integral part of their healthy digestion. Night litter, excreted from the cecum (light soft balls covered with mucus), is a source of B vitamins, stimulates immunity, delivers the necessary microflora to the intestine. Unfortunately, along with the droppings, coccid eggs also enter the body.

Of great importance in the emergence of the disease are poor conditions for growing young animals: unsanitary conditions, crowding, high humidity, temperature fluctuations in the room, the formation of different age groups of animals, poor quality food, a sharp change in diet. Outbreaks of coccidiosis often occur in the spring and autumn periods, but may occur at any time of the year.

Characteristics of the causative agent of the disease

Five types of coccidia are of practical importance. Four of them parasitize in the epithelium of the small and large intestine: E. perforans, E. media, E. magna, E. irresidua. The fifth species, E. stiedae, lives in the epithelium of the bile ducts of the liver. In the contents of the intestine or in the litter, a small number of oocysts (1-2 in the field of vision) can normally be contained. This does not mean the presence of the disease. In some cases, other viral or parasitic diseases of rabbits may manifest intestinal symptoms. A photo taken under a large magnification of the microscope allows a good examination of the structure of the oocysts of coccidia. They are oval or round formations of 10 to 40 μm in size, a double shell and dark contents (sporocyst) are well marked. At one narrowed end there is a small lid (micropyle). The diagnosis of coccidiosis in rabbits is confirmed by the study of fecal masses under a microscope by the Darling method. Detection of single oocysts in the absence of other symptoms of the disease is not a basis for diagnosis.

Clinical signs of coccidiosis

This ailment can occur in acute, subacute and chronic form. The youngest in the age of 20 to 60 days are most susceptible to the disease. Often coccidiosis occurs during the period of weaning rabbits from the mother and when transferring them to normal feed. In animals 3-5 months old, the disease is less severe, and adult rabbits are practically not affected by the disease, although they can be carriers and provoke coccidiosis. Symptoms appear 4-12 days after infection. Theoretically, the intestinal, hepatic and mixed forms of coccidiosis are divided, but in practice, the invasion proceeds mainly in a mixed form. First, the intestine is affected, along with the common signs of malaise (lethargy, lack of appetite), diarrhea appears, less often constipation, the abdomen becomes swollen and painful, the mucous eyes and oral cavity pale. Sick animals lose weight, lag behind in growth, mucus and bloody inclusions are found in feces.

Appearance of feces helps to diagnose coccidiosis and other parasitic diseases of rabbits. Photo of the litter in coccidiosis clearly shows characteristic veins of red or orange.

Often in diseased animals, rhinitis and conjunctivitis are observed, saliva separation increases. With lesions of the liver, yellowing of the mucous membranes is manifested, sometimes paralysis of the limbs and convulsions occur. The abdomen greatly increases in volume, ascites may develop (fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity). In the absence of treatment, rabbits usually die on the 7th-10th day.

At autopsy, paleness of the mucous membranes, icterus, inflammation in the intestine (thickened walls, contents with blood, mucous peels off "stockings" or with necrotic foci, with a rudimentary touch) are revealed. On the outside, the shell of the intestinal wall is gray, studded with whitish, dense small foci to the touch. In the liver, characteristic lesions are clearly visible: in the course of the bile duct dirty white or yellowish nodules the size of a grain or even a pea, not isolated from surrounding tissues. In severe cases, lesions affect the parenchyma of the liver.

How to distinguish coccidiosis from other diseases

Intestinal signs are also characteristic of other diseases of rabbits. Detection in the litter of a significant number of oocysts allows diagnosis of coccidiosis. The symptoms described above confirm the presence of this disease and are an indication for treatment. It is carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian, comprehensive measures are taken to destroy the pathogen in the body, to remove intoxication and maintain the electrolyte balance. Since there are various rabbit diseases, the symptoms and treatment for each of them will vary. It is important to correctly and timely put the correct diagnosis. In each case, a differential analysis is necessary, since there are not always clear, characteristic symptoms of the disease. The following diseases of rabbits show signs of intestinal damage:

• Coccidiosis - the detection of oocysts in the litter, blood inclusions, the characteristic age of the animal.
• Enterokotsemiya - acute current, presence in the litter of a large number of gases. Age 8-30 days. Detection of the pathogen - C. perfringens bacteria.
• Disease of Tizzer - acute course, death in 1-2 days after the manifestation of clinical signs. Detection in the feces of the pathogen - bacteria B. piliformis.
• Helminthiases - there is no blood in the litter, chronic course of the disease, detection in the feces of the worms or their eggs.
• Infectious enteritis bacterial origin (kolibakterioz, dysentery, enterobacter, proteus) - affects young animals at the age of 6-10 weeks. Diarrhea of yellow or brownish color, rapid dehydration, increased thirst, lowering or rising of body temperature. Mucous membranes are pale. The highest mortality is observed between 5 and 9 weeks.

Coccidiosis in rabbits: treatment

As a therapy, veterinarians prescribe antibacterial drugs with a wide spectrum of action, including, in addition, the anticoccidial effect. Among them:

• Sulfanilamidy ("Sulfakvinoksalin", "Sulfahlpirrazin") - in feed and drinking water. The recommended dose is 0.1 g per 1 kg of live weight. Simultaneously appoint "Monomycin" in a dose of 25 thousand units / kg of weight. Conduct two five-day courses with an interval of three days.
• Nitrofurans (Nitrofurazone). Dosage - 1-1.5 g per 1 kg of live weight.

The ration includes sour-milk products: milk whey in a dose of 25-30 ml per head, curdled milk, ABK.

Not always antibacterial drugs can cure coccidiosis. Treatment in neglected cases is carried out with the use of drugs with a narrow focus - koktsidiostatikov.

Kokcidiostatiki in rabbit breeding

Such drugs have a certain toxicity and are expensive in production, but they have excellent therapeutic and preventive effect. For therapeutic purposes, it is advisable to use them with water, and for prevention they are mixed into premixes and given with food. When diagnosing coccidiosis, the treatment is performed with one of the following preparations (according to the active ingredient):

• Diclazuril ("Solikoks", "Diakoks").
• Amprolium ("Brovitacoccid", "Koktsidiovit").
• Totlazuril ("Baikoff", "Koktsiprodin", "Stop-coccid").

The dosage of the drug depends on the concentration of the active substance. On the average, liquid form of coccidiostatic is produced in 2.5-5% concentration and given to animals with water at the rate of 10 mg DV for 1 kg of live weight for 2-3 consecutive days. For preventive purposes, the dose is reduced by half, and the course is a little longer. In the premix, coccidiostatics are fed into the feed at a dose of 0.1% and fed during critical periods (feed change, transfer to another room, weaning rabbits). Ready-made mixtures can be purchased at the market of mixed fodders and in veterinary pharmacies. In any case, carefully read the instructions and specify whether it is possible to use the drug for rabbits. If the livestock of animals is small, and coccidiosis is detected in rabbits, the treatment is carried out by individual giving the medicine. It is injected into the oral cavity using a syringe without a needle. Rabbits (photo, shown in the article, demonstrates how to fix the head correctly) are put on the table, the back is pressed, preventing the animal from hitting its hind legs. The liquid is gently inserted into the corner of the mouth behind the lip.

Do not give more than 1 ml of liquid at a time.

Prevention of coccidiosis in rabbits

Particular attention is paid to the correct organization of growing technology. The incidence directly depends on the conditions under which the decorative rabbit is kept. Vaccinations do not always save even from viral diseases. The main way to prevent ailments is to comply with zoo hygiene requirements. The prevention of such a disease, as coccidiosis in rabbits, is carried out with the help of the following measures:

• The maintenance of animals on lattice floors.

• Non-admission of crowding, compliance with the standards of planting (no less than 0.5 square meters per animal).
• Keep animals in dry, well ventilated areas.
• Compliance with the temperature regime (rabbits do not tolerate temperatures above 20 ° C).
• Placement of cells in the open air or providing them with ventilation of at least 3 cubic meters. For 1 kg of live weight per hour.
• Daily cleaning of the litter from the cells and changing the litter.
• Cleaning once a day feeders and drinkers and scalding them with boiling water.

Are there vaccines for rabbits? Of course, if you have one decorative rabbit in your apartment , you do not need to vaccinate . But for those who breed rabbits for the sake of daily bread, the question is very relevant.

Is there an inoculation against coccidiosis?

Vaccines for coccidiosis for rabbits to date does not exist. Although it is possible that with increasing demand such a drug will be invented. After all, scientists managed to create a vaccine against coccidiosis in chickens, which meets the modern needs of chicken producers. Currently, the prevention of coccidiosis in rabbits is reduced to general measures for the prevention of infectious and invasive diseases, as well as to preventive giving coccidiostatic drugs.

Immunity in ill rabbits remains for life, animals are immune to repeated infection. Immunity is unsterile, which means lifelong carriage of the pathogen in the body. Such a rabbit can easily infect an individual that has not been sick before if there are co-factors (stress, etc.).

Conditions that provoke the disease

Often coccidiosis in rabbits occurs after vaccinations from HBV and myxomatosis. This does not mean low quality of the vaccine, but indicates a latent flow of coccidiosis in the herd. Take measures to prevent the disease one week before vaccination, and you will avoid complications.

When walking on the grass, periodically move the cage to avoid accumulation of pathogenic organisms in one place. Feeding should be complete, with a content of 15% of coarse fibers and 20% of proteinaceous substances. Necessarily presence in the ration of hay, even if the animals receive a full feed. Also, constant access to water is required, even though rabbits receive a large part of the liquid from the grass.

Compliance with the conditions of feeding and keeping will avoid such an unpleasant illness as coccidiosis. If, nevertheless, for any reason, an outbreak occurred, then with a rapid diagnosis and the use of effective medications, the prognosis is favorable. Do not forget to isolate the diseased animals and carry out cleaning in cages with the use of disinfectants. If possible, scald with boiling water all available places, and burn metal surfaces and equipment with an open flame with a gas burner or blowtorch.