Rabbit Schmorl Disease

Rabbit Schmorl Disease is caused by a bacteria (Fusiformis neeroplzorus) which can almost always be found on the skin of the rabbit. It only causes harm however, when it enters the body through some wound. When this happens two forms of the disease may occur. The first is a skin infection, which starts on the head, particularly the lips. The part becomes discolored and ulcerated, the skin of the affected area dying. The second form of the disease consists of thick-walled abscesses containing yellow pus, which are extremely painful to the rabbit when touched. 'These abscesses form in the skin or in the internal organs, and may reach the size of a golf ball. The abscesses scan is distinguished from cysts in that they are hot and cause pain when touched, as opposed to cysts which do not feel hot and whirls cause no pain. A frequent complication with this disease is pneumonia. With both forms the animal may have difficulty in eating and breathing and if the head is affected the animal usually dies within three weeks.

Prevention consists in ensuring that wounds are cleansed properly. Treatment is difficult in the skin type of infection but surgical removal of the abscess can be attempted by as killed person in the case of valuable animals.

A German pathologist C.G schmorl invented the bacteria that cause schmorl disease in rabbit named as Bacterium streptothrix cuniculi. It has been later renamed as fusobacterium necrophorum. Schmorl’s disease affects animals as well as human beings.

Schmorl’s disease is caused due to poor hygiene and husbandry. It is a skin infection that leads to wounds if left untreated. It is independent from sex, age and breed of rabbit. The sporadic causes of this disease are:

• Ptyalism occurs due to dental problems, like malocclusion or tooth root problems.
• Panting in rabbits , caused due to high temperatures or respiratory distress.
• Inappropriate drinking tools, leaking water bottles, or an oversized dewlap getting wet while drinking.
• Cages without rust and sharp edges.

Clinical signs and diagnosis

Acute inflammation of subcutaneous tissue is the first sign of Schmorl’s disease in rabbit. As the disease progresses there is ulceration of superficial skin layer in rabbit. The disease is characterized by formation of skin ulcers and subcutaneous abscesses on head, neck and feet. In capsulation of abscesses by fibrous tissue is observed. If wounds remain untreated, the infection spread to skin which leads to necrosis of tissue.

Wounds can spread into deeper tissue layer and may cause osteomyelitis or septicemia. This results into the infection of vital organs and general toxemia. Rabbit becomes feverish and its lesions spread foul smell. In some cases, rabbits suffer from chronic attack, decreased appetite and chronic weakness is observed.

Treatment

To confirm the diagnosis, a sample is collected from affected area and cultured. The fur around the affected area is removed and wounds are cleaned with antiseptic solution. Antibiotic treatment is further provided to rabbits suffering from schmorl disease. Antibiotics like penicillin, cephalosporin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline and metronidazole are given.

The necrotic tissue and abscesses are treated by surgery in advanced cases. If surgery is not possible, the abscess cavity is incised and drained and packed with an antibiotic impregnated dressing. There are various methods available for treating the rabbit with impregnated disease

• Permanent placement of antibiotic impregnated PMMA beads
• Temporary filling the infected area with antibiotic impregnated haemostatic and bactericidal sterile compressed sponge. The dressing must be changed daily or every second day to avoid necrosis of surrounding tissues.
• Temporary filling the wound with wet to dry hygroscopic and bactericidal sugar dressing is done for treating the wounds. For example 45 to 50 percent of dextrose, manuka or clear sterilized honey is applied during the dressing of infected rabbit.

Schmorl disease in rabbit can be prevented by keeping the rabbit clean. Observing feeding habits help to diagnose if there is any health issue related to rabbit.