Rabbit Coccidiosis

This disease is probably responsible for more loss in deathsand lowered production than any other disease, although byproper management it can be reduced to negligible proportions.It is caused by several species of protozoa of the genus Eimeria,one species attacking the liver, the others attacking the in-testines. Very often a mixed infection occurs.

The life history of the parasite is as follows. Oocysts (` eggs ')pass out with the faeces of an infested animal, and if the conditions are suitable, i.e. warmth and humidity, becomesinfective within two days. These oocysts are then eaten by arabbit and develop, liberating numbers of parasites, whichattack the walls of the intestine or the cells of the bile ducts.These parasites then reproduce themselves and further cellsare attacked and destroyed. This process continues until asexual stage is reached when oocysts are produced and passout with the faeces.

The symptoms vary according to age and severity of attack,and also the condition of the animal. There is usually loss offlesh, which is sometimes severe, and the coat becomes harshand staring. The rabbit in severe attacks often adopts a typicalhuddled attitude. Sometimes there is loss of appetite, but atother times the rabbit becomes ravenously hungry. Diarrhoeais not usually present in the liver form of the disease but may beso in the intestinal form.

The liver in advanced cases shows a number of white oryellowish spots or streaks and later nodules, the contents ofwhich varies from a thin fluid to a thick cheesy material. Thebile ducts become thickened, and in advanced chronic cases ofthe liver form, the liver is greatly enlarged, giving rise to" pot-belly " in life. In the intestinal form there are smallwhitish spots and later greyish streaks on the walls of theintestine, which may be dilated. Often mucus is present, andthe walls may be thickened. In both forms oocysts can befound easily with a microscope.

Infection arises from contaminated food and water. Greenstuff which has been over-run by wild rabbits is a commonsource of infection. A great deal of re-infection occurs whenfood is eaten off the hutch floor, and the majority of cases inunweaned stock arise through infection from the mother.

The only way to eliminate the disease is to prevent animalsingesting the oocysts. All contaminated food must be elimin-ated, and in this connection it should be pointed out that theoocysts can remain dangerous for a year or more. Feedingshould therefore never be allowed from the hutch floor.

Adult animals may often act as carriers of the disease withoutshowing signs of infection, and thus does will often pass on thedisease to their offspring. The use of woven wire floors through whirls all droppings pass has been very effective in preventingthe disease. Overcrowding is a predisposing factor and shouldtherefore be avoided.
In the early stages of the disease the use of sulphamezathine(in a mash containing one per cent) has been found to beeffective, as has also the use of a saturated solution of this druginstead of drinking water.