Rabbit Salmonella Infections

Rabbit Salmonella infections are not often met with, but have beenresponsible for some outbreaks of disease causing considerableloss. The two main bacteria responsible are Salmonella typhi-murium and S. enteritidis. The rabbit appears listless and dull,with quickened breathing and a rise in temperature. Loss ofappetite is also accompanied by scouring. The symptoms andpost mortem appearance are very variable, and diagnosis canonly be made accurately by bacteriological examination. Thediseases are largely spread through contamination of food,water and litter by rats and mice which carry them. Theseinfections also occur in poultry, household pets and otheranimals and may be transmitted from them. The onlyprevention is to eliminate contamination, and there is norecommended treatment.