Rabbit Tuberculosis

The rabbit is experimentally susceptible to all forms oftuberculosis, bovine, human and avian, but the bovine formis most commonly found, although the disease is rare. It hasgreatly decreased in incidence, due probably to the fact thatmilk is now much less frequently feel to domestic rabbits, andsuch milk as is fed is likely to be free of the bacillus. In theacute form often no symptoms are present before death, butin the chronic form there is loss of condition and appetite,weakness and usually diarrhoea. Breathing may be labouredand a cough may develop.

Diagnosis is difficult and differentiation from pseudo-tuberculosis equally so. Consequently laboratory diagnosisshould be sought in cases of doubt.
Infection arises from food and water contaminated bytuberculous animals and birds, and very occasionally from aninfected attendant. Control is therefore obvious, but there isno treatment.