Haemorrhagic Septicaemia

This disease, sometimes known as pasture is caused by the same bacteria as that producing snuffles. The disease was relatively unknown in the past, but is now recognized as causing a good deal of loss. The symptoms are varied. In acute cases the animal may click within a few hours without much sign of the trouble. In other cases the temperature increases as does the respiration rate, and breathing may be noisy. Hemorrhages may be found in the lungs and lymph nodes or glands, and the blood vessels are often congested with dark colored blood. The chest cavity usually contains a clear yellowish fluid. Because of the variations in symptoms, diagnosis is very difficult outside the laboratory. The bacteria causing the disease are widely spread, and may be carried by the rabbit. If for some reason (poor conditions or bad feeding,)the resistance of the rabbit drops, the disease may develop.

The prevention is again good hygiene, good ventilation, good feeding and management. On the Continent and in America vaccines are sometimes used to give protection, but these are not available in this country. Early injections of penicillin have also been reported as affecting a cure. The rapidity of the disease is however such that treatment is tonally impossible. acute cases the animal may click within a few hours without much sign of the trouble. In other cases the temperature increases as does the respiration rate, and breathing may be noisy. Hemorrhages may be found in the lungs and lymph nodes or glands, and the blood vessels are often congested with dark colored blood. The chest cavity usually contains a clear yellowish fluid. Because of the variations in symptoms, diagnosis is very difficult outside the laboratory. The bacteria causing the disease are widely spread, and may be carried by the rabbit.

If for some reason (poor conditions or bad feeding,)the resistance of the rabbit drops, the disease may develop.The prevention is again good hygiene, good ventilation, good feeding and management. On the Continent and in America vaccines are sometimes used to give protection, but these are not available in this country. Early injections of penicillin have also been reported as affecting a cure. The rapidity of the disease is however such that treatment is tonally impossible.