Diseases of decorative rabbits are varied, each of them can pose a threat to the life of a small pet. Diseases can be caused by both the influence of pathogenic microorganisms and a violation in the mode of care and nutrition. Any deviation from the normal state of the animal should cause concern to its owner. What to do if a decorative rabbit fell ill, how to determine the source of the disease?
Diseases of decorative rabbits
The pet can be infected with infectious diseases that lead to infection of other neighbors in the cage; skin ailments and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In order to find out what exactly is the cause of the disease and begin treatment, it is necessary to pay attention to the symptoms characteristic of a particular ailment.
Myxomatosis in rabbits
With a disease such as myxomatosis, there is a high probability of death. The infection is sufficiently resistant to any chemical attack and manifests itself within a few days after penetration. Myxoma is fast developing and often kills a pet. A decorative rabbit can get sick after contact with affected animals, hosts, insects: ticks, fleas and mosquitoes. To date, no medication has been produced that would give an absolute result. The main symptoms are that observed:
- swelling of the head, face, and entire body, swelling of the eyelids;
- the presence of conjunctivitis and purulent discharge from the nose;
- the formation of nodules at the site of neoplasms;
- temperature increased to 41-42 ° С;
- decreased activity and general malaise.
To prevent the disease, monthly animals should be vaccinated, and when the virus penetrates, send pets to quarantine. For prevention, it is necessary to disinfect the room every day and protect the rabbits from exposure to vectors, especially in the summer.
Infectious rhinitis
The peculiarity of the ailment is that each decorative rabbit contains an infectious agent in the nose, but it is not at all dangerous in the normal state, however, if the mucous layer is damaged, the animal's body is affected by microbes. As a result, the previously harmless rabbit turns into a carrier of rhinitis. To understand that the rabbit is sick, attention should be paid to:
- change and heavier breathing;
- rubbing the paws of the nose;
- redness and inflammation of the mucosa;
- the presence of purulent discharge from the nose;
- temperature;
- lack of appetite.
Treatment includes the use of one percent Furacilin for instillation or Penicillin with saline. Disinfection is carried out with formaldehyde.
Pneumonia
Hypothermia or a constantly changing room temperature can lead to pneumonia. In addition, untreated bronchitis or myxomatosis can lead to illness. To prevent pneumonia, it is important to pay attention to room temperature and eliminate drafts. Symptoms of the disease of ornamental rabbits are:
- the appearance of shortness of breath in the animal;
- the presence of wheezing accompanying breathing;
- periodic cough;
- nasal discharge;
- temperature rise to extreme levels;
- decreased activity.
Treatment includes:
- taking antibiotics and drugs to increase immunity;
- the use of antipyretic drugs to lower the temperature;
- providing animals with heat, plentiful drink and frequent meals.
Pneumonia is a rather dangerous animal disease, the appearance of which largely depends on the owner of the rabbit.
The danger of pasteurellosis
Pasteurellosis, or septicemia, can affect the rabbit as a result of contact with relatives of vectors or after contact with animals and infected people. In the presence of another ailment in the body, pasteurellosis manifests itself more aggressively. Life depends on the timely treatment of this disease in decorative rabbits, because an infection can lead to death in a few days.
Symptoms of the first stage of the disease are manifested in a sharp and rapid increase in body temperature, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, purulent wounds covering the body, loss of appetite. Treatment can only be prescribed by a veterinarian and, with timely diagnosis, includes the introduction of antibiotics, injections of biomycin, terramycin. A mandatory measure is the disinfection of the cage.
Rabbit diseases: symptoms and treatment. It's important to know!
Myxomatosis in rabbits - treatment, symptoms, vaccination.
What diseases of rabbits can be prevented, and which treatment does not make sense?
TOP 5 BREEDS OF DECORATIVE Bunnies
Infectious stomatitis
A decorative rabbit can catch stomatitis at 3-4 months of age. Timely intervention leads to a full recovery within a few weeks, while the advanced stage of the disease leads to death. Symptoms of the disease "wet face" are easy to identify:
- the rabbit's tongue is covered with white bloom and sores;
- salivation increases;
- the animal is in an aggressive state and eats little;
- the coat becomes wet and gradually falls out;
- the skin is inflamed.
To treat the rabbit, they are watered with two percent copper sulfate several times a day, Streptocide is administered every 10 hours and the diet is filled with vitamins, while limiting calories.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis penetrates through a common mote or speck, resulting in inflammation of the eye. The visual organ can also become inflamed after drafts, scratches, cigarette smoke and permanent mechanical damage to the eyes. The disease often complements other infectious diseases. All symptoms are concentrated in the eye and are easily detected:
- inflammation and redness of the mucosa occurs;
- a thorn affects the cornea;
- purulent discharge comes out of the eye.
For effective treatment, special ophthalmic preparations based on antibiotics, boric acid are used. Mixtures of powdered sugar and calomel are suitable for treating ulcers and thorn.
Ringworm
A parasitic fungus that feeds on components of the skin and wool leads to the onset of the disease. When one individual is infected, it is isolated from both relatives and people. Signs are also easily determined when the owner is attentive to the animal. It:
- constant scratching of the rabbit skin, accompanied by itching;
- aggressiveness, anxiety, irritability;
- the formation of round bald spots on the body and skin ulcers.
For treatment, the affected areas are treated, and the nearby wool is sheared. Antibiotic ointments are used to treat the skin, and to stop the itching - special preparations like Fenistil. The use of iodine with salicylic acid is appropriate; a vaccine against dermatomycosis will be a preventive measure.
Subdermatitis
A decorative rabbit, being on the wrong litter, provokes the appearance of corns and wounds on the limbs. This is especially true for rigid grating and stone tiles. In the absence of cell care, subdermatitis develops faster. The main symptom of the disease is the presence of abrasions and wounds on the soles, peeling of the skin and falling hair from the legs. If pus appears from the wound, there is a possibility that the disease is in a very advanced state.
To eliminate the ailment, special disinfecting and emollients are used, they wash the wounds with calendula. It is important to bandage the foot with a bandage and change the flooring, disinfect and wash the cage. To combat purulent wounds, hydrogen peroxide and antibiotics are used.
Scabies
The scabies of a rabbit is determined very simply and is the result of the influence of scabies mites and fleas. In addition to constant itching and combing, the animal's mood spoils and anxiety and irritability arise, the rabbit does not want to eat. The skin turns red and crusted, festering.
Therapy includes:
- treatment of affected areas and rubbing in with Hyposulfite;
- removal of ticks after lubricating the skin with vegetable oil with turpentine;
- isolation from other living beings.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are also life-threatening for rabbits, among which there are several that are most common for pets.
Nematodirosis
Despite such a complex name, this ailment is popularly known as “worms”. Their presence is difficult to determine immediately, because for several months they do not appear in any way, they simply populate the small intestine and poison the body with poisons. As a result, the physical development of pets and their nervous system are affected.
The distinctive features of the disease include:
- slowdown in growth and development;
- diarrhea;
- drastic weight loss due to lack of appetite;
- the presence of parasites in the discharge.
To combat worms, Gamavit injection, Albendazole suspension and thorough regular disinfection of the cell and tray are prescribed.
Bloating
With overweight, unbalanced and improper nutrition, intestinal infections in animals, flatulence may begin. The main methods of treatment lie in changing the diet of the animal, excluding harmful products.
Symptoms of bloating are:
- absent or decreased appetite;
- increased breathing rate;
- bloating that you can feel yourself.
To eliminate a slight swelling, use the Dimethicone technique, as well as abdominal massage. Perhaps the use of painkillers. To restore the microflora, a course of vitamins and prebiotics is prescribed.
Constipation
In case of violation of the regime of visiting the toilet, the owner of the decorative rabbit needs to worry. Stagnation of secretions leads not only to painful sensations, but also to poisoning of the whole organism. Junk food, hair penetration into the stomach, or being in a stressful situation can lead to constipation. The main features of the disease are the absence of bowel movements for 10-12 hours and the restless state of the rabbit. Therapy includes:
- correct diet;
- eating only healthy food;
- frequent watering with liquid;
- providing fresh air and free space;
- taking Cerucal to improve and stabilize the bowel function in especially advanced situations.
As it turned out, any disease can be dangerous for the rabbit, and therefore treatment should be timely and of high quality. In order to prevent diseases in decorative rabbits, you need to pay more attention to pets and monitor their care and behavior. It is important to disinfect cells in time and prevent animals from communicating with possible carriers of infection. The diseases of your decorative rabbits and their treatment directly depend on your care and responsibility.