Rabbit Pseudo Tuberculosis

This is another disease caused by one of the Pasteurellabacteria. It resembles true tuberculosis which is however veryrare in the domestic rabbit. Few symptoms of pseudo-tuberculosis are usually noticed, although there may be someloss of condition and weakness. The breathing may be labouredin the later stages if the lungs are affected. The disease is oftenfatal four or five weeks after infection, although the timeinterval varies. The rabbit dies suddenly. After death thereare small whitish-yellow nodules scattered throughout some orall of the following organs : lungs, liver, spleen, intestines andlymph glands. As the most common source of infection is fromgerm contaminated food, the intestines are often the first partto be affected, in particular the appendix, the contents of whichis usually white and cheesy, the organ itself lacing spotted withnodules.

Infection occurs from other animals or from contaminatedfood or water. Rats and mice carry the disease and verminridden fodder is a constant source of infection. It follows thatprevention lies in protecting the rabbitry and the food and water supply (and also bedding to be used) from vermin.There is no treatment.