Common diseases of decorative rabbits
Diseases of decorative rabbits are varied, each of them can pose a threat to the life of a small pet. Diseases can be caused both by the influence of pathogenic microorganisms and by a violation in the mode of care and nutrition. Any deviation from the normal state of the animal should cause anxiety in 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 to 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 a 100% result. The main symptoms are that observed:
- swelling of the head, muzzle and whole body, swelling of the eyelids;
- the presence of conjunctivitis and purulent nasal discharge;
- the formation of nodules at the site of neoplasms;
- temperature increased to 41-42 ° С;
- deterioration in activity and general malaise.
To prevent the disease, you need to vaccinate monthly animals, and when a virus penetrates, send the 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 disease is that each decorative rabbit contains an infectious agent in its nose, but it is absolutely not dangerous in its normal state, but 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 difficulty in breathing;
- friction with the paws of the nose;
- redness and inflammation of the mucous membrane;
- the presence of purulent nasal discharge;
- temperature;
- lack of appetite.
Treatment includes the use of 1% Furacilin for instillation or Penicillin with saline. Disinfection is carried out with formaldehyde.
Pneumonia
Hypothermia or constantly changing room temperature can lead to pneumonia. In addition, untreated bronchitis or myxomatosis can lead to the disease.To prevent pneumonia, it is important to pay attention to room temperature and eliminate drafts. Symptoms of the disease of decorative rabbits are:
- the appearance of shortness of breath in an animal;
- the presence of wheezing accompanying breathing;
- periodic cough;
- nasal discharge;
- temperature rise to extreme levels;
- decreased activity.
Treatment includes:
- taking antibiotics and means to increase immunity;
- the use of antipyretic drugs to lower the temperature;
- providing animals with warmth, plenty of drink and frequent meals.
Pneumonia is a rather dangerous animal ailment, the appearance of which largely depends on the owner of the rabbit.
Danger of pasteurellosis
Pasteurellosis, or septicemia, can affect the rabbit as a result of contact with relatives 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.
Infectious stomatitis
A decorative rabbit can catch stomatitis at 3-4 months of age. Timely intervention leads to a complete recovery within a few weeks, while the advanced stage of the disease is fatal. Symptoms of the "wet face" disease are easy to detect:
- 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 becomes inflamed.
For the treatment of the rabbit, they drink two percent copper sulfate several times a day, inject Streptocid every 10 hours and fill the diet with vitamins, while limiting the calorie content.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis penetrates through a commonplace speck or speck of dust, resulting in inflammation of the eye. The optic 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 identified:
- inflammation and redness of the mucous membrane occurs;
- the thorn affects the cornea;
- purulent discharge comes out of the eye.
For effective treatment, special ophthalmic preparations based on antibiotics, boric acid are used. Powdered sugar and Calomel mixtures are suitable for treating ulcers and leucorrhoea.
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's 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 adjacent wool is sheared. Antibiotic ointments are used to treat the skin, and to stop the itching, special preparations like Fenistil are used. The use of iodine with salicylic acid is appropriate; a vaccine against dermatomycosis will be a preventive measure.
Pododermatitis
A decorative rabbit, being on the wrong bedding, 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, pododermatitis 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 paws. If pus appears from the wound, there is a possibility that the disease is in a very advanced state.
To eliminate the disease, special disinfectants and emollients are used, the wounds are washed with calendula. It is important to tie 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
Scabies in a rabbit is very simple to determine and is the result of the influence of itch mites and fleas. In addition to constant itching and scratching, the animal's mood deteriorates and anxiety and irritability arise, the rabbit does not want to eat. The skin turns red and crusted, festering.
Therapy includes:
- treatment of the affected areas and rubbing in with Hyposulfite;
- removal of mites after lubricating the skin with vegetable oil and 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;
- sharp weight loss due to lack of appetite;
- the presence of parasites in the secretions.
To combat worms, Gamavit injection, Albendazole suspension and thorough regular disinfection of the cell and tray are prescribed.
Bloating intestines
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.
The symptoms of bloating are:
- absent or decreased appetite;
- increased breathing rate;
- bloating that you can feel on your own.
To eliminate a slight swelling, use the Dimethicone technique, as well as abdominal massage. The use of painkillers is possible. 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. Constipation can lead to junk food, penetration of fur into the stomach or being in a stressful situation. The main features of the disease are the absence of feces for 10-12 hours and the restless state of the crawl. Therapy includes:
- correct diet;
- eating only wholesome food;
- frequent drinking of liquid;
- providing fresh air and free space;
- taking Cerucal to improve and stabilize the intestines in especially advanced situations.
As it turned out, any disease can be dangerous for the rabbit, and therefore the treatment must 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 the cells in time and prevent animals from communicating with possible carriers of the infection. The diseases of your decorative rabbits and their treatment directly depend on your care and responsibility.