Production and Management Practices  for Profitable Commercial Rabbit Farming in India

Production and Management Practices  for Profitable Commercial Rabbit Farming in India

PRAWEEN SRIVASTAVA

CEO-LBCS

 Rabbit farming is not only profitable but enjoyable too. One can grow a rabbit as a pet and also grow in small land without much investment. Rabbits are being reared in our country for a long time.

There are many advantages of commercial rabbit farming in India. Bunnies are a cute and small sized animal. They are soft and therefore are a good source of meat. There is a very high demand for rabbit meat in the market and there are not enough suppliers to fulfill this growing demand.

It is a business with low investments and high profits. There is a high demand for fur obtained from Angora rabbits in India as well as in foreign countries due to which it can be a successful business venture. Rabbit’s meat is also consumed by a small population in India which can further add to the income obtained from fur marketing.

One can easily make a small shed at the backyard with a very small investment. Good cover or shed is necessary for keeping the rabbits free from weather conditions, rain, sun and various types of predators like dogs or cats, etc.

Advantages of Rabbit farming:

1. They are highly prolific with some females producing 25 to 50 kits (young ones of rabbit) per year.
2. The meat of the rabbit is rich in poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) which comes under the category of white meat.
3. Small groups (up to 50 numbers) can be used to rear rabbits in the backyard of the house with kitchen waste as feed.
4. The initial investment cost for rabbit farming is low along with quick returns (about six months after the establishment of the farm).
5. They are the best producers of wool on per Kilogram body weight basis and require 30 percent less digestible energy to produce 1 kg of wool as compared to sheep.
6. They also provide income from the sale of kits, meat, pelt, and manure.
7. Rabbit manure is highly suitable for vermicomposting which provides excellent manure to be used as an organic fertilizer in agricultural fields.
8. Rabbit’s wool is 6-8 times warmer than the contemporary sheep wool.
9. Rabbits feed on forages of perse origins due to which they require very less quantity of costly concentrate feed and can be reared on roughage.

 

 

Angora rabbit farming

Angora rabbits are mainly raised for their wool, which is known for its quality. Angora rabbits are of many types. The differences are mainly in the amount of wool produced and the percentage of guard hair in the wool. Among the various types, German Angora is the best and annually yield 1000 to 1200gm of wool under ideal management practices. Rabbits can be adopted to any set of circumstances right from a kitchen garden to a large intensive commercial enterprise. The wool produced by rabbits are preferred for manufacturing of high value woollens which have got very good export potential.

The advantages of rabbit farming are
i) Rabbits are highly prolific in nature
ii) Consume a large amount of forages from diverse origins and so can be reared on small amounts of costly concentrates.
iii) They can be reared in the kitchen garden/backyard of farmer’s house
iv) Initial investment cost is low
v) Quick returns i.e. six months after the establishment of farm
vi) Income generation at quarterly interval makes the repayment easy.
Vii) Apart from providing wool rabbits also provides income from manure etc.
viii) Residual feed, together with rabbit manure is highly suitable for vermicompost which in turn provides excellent manure for fertilising the fields.

Scope for rabbit farming and it’s national importance:
Rabbit farming is another livestock activity with great scope as it is relatively easy, rewarding and takes little space compared to other livestock activities. Rabbit farming can also provide a very valuable additional source of income in the rural areas. Another important consideration is food production cycle, which shows that rabbit need not be in competition with man for it’s food. For producing high quality woollens, blending with other fine quality fibres is essential. The other livestock species which is source of wool is sheep. The wool produced by Indian sheep breeds are of not fine quality. Therefore, currently we are importing the fine wool. The wool from Angora Rabbits is of very high quality and it’s blending with carpet wool of sheep and silk improves the quality of woollens to a great extent.

Angora rabbit can be reared only in hill areas. Therefore, Angora rabbit rearing is a boon to the farmers of hill areas, where the scope for other livestock activities is very limited.

Package of common management practices recommended for rabbit farming:

Well established scientific management practices should be adopted to maximise the economic benefits from rabbit farming. The major norms and recommended practices are given below:

Selection of breed:

1. Select right type of the breed for maximization of economic benefits. Various wool type of rabiit breeds and their characteristic features are given in Annexure – II.
2. Breeding males and females should be of different sire lines, below one year of age, devoid of visual deformities like patchy wool, buck teeth, sore hock, visual reproductive defects and should be true to the breed.
3. Purchase of breeding stock should be avoided from rabbitries with high incidence of diseases like pneumonia, sore hock, coccidiosis, enteritis or with poor reproductive efficiency i.e. <50%.

Location and Housing:

4. Areas having temperature ranging between 10o C and 20o C and relative humidity ranging between 55 and 65% throughout the year are ideal for rearing Angora rabbits.
   5. Ensure adequate facility for clean water, electricity, approach road, supply of breeding stock, feed, fodders, veterinary aid and nearness to market for sale of wool and meat of culled animals.
   6. For small size rabbit farms hutch system may be adopted which is a self contained cage-cum-nest box with it’s own roof.
   7. In case of larger farms cages may be arranged inside the sheds in single or two tier under hanging or step wise rack system.
   8. Provide adequate floor space per rabbit. The space (hutch sizes) requirement for different categories of rabbits is given in Annexure – III.
   9. Rabbitry roofing should be preferably of asbestos, wood, thatch or other locally available cheaper materials.
   10. Construct sheds in such a way that predators and birds do not enter the shed. In case of open hutches proper fencing should be provided to protect the rabbits from their predators.
   11. Construct rat proof civil structures for feed and wool storage.
   12. Keep the shed/pens clean by regular cleaning and disinfection to make it free from flies/mosquitoes and a foot dip should be maintained at the entrance of the sheds.
   13. Rabbit cages should be cleaned regularly, especially disinfected before kindling.
   14. During kindling period cage/hutch nest box should be kept clean so that kits do not pick up diseases like coccidia.
   15. Feeders and waterers should be cleaned regularly and mash feed should be removed from the feeders which can be used for feeding other livestock species.Equipment:
5. Use scientifically designed cages and equipment. The ideal guage for floor of the cage is 14-16 with a mesh size of 19×19 mm or 25×13 mm. The walls and roof can be constructed with lighter guage i.e. 16-20 with a mesh size of 25x25mm.
   17. The feeders should be designed and placed in such a manner that the feed can be poured from outside and should be 5-7.5 cm. above the cage floor to avoid contamination by urine, faeces or water.The rim of the feeders should be round and turned inward ½” so that the rabbits do not spill the feed/water.
   18. The watering equipment of 400-500 ml. capacity made up of aluminum, earthen or any other locally available cheaper material may be used.

Feeding:

19. Production performance depends upon the quality of feed offered. For high production levels balanced pellet feed in combination with hay should be given.
    20. Fresh green plants like bean, Alfalfa, berseem, grass, tender banana, cane and bamboo leaves, cutup pieces of the stalks of plants such as maize or banana, roots such as cassava, yams, carrots, beefs and turnips inedible portions of cabbage and cauliflower etc. can replace partially or wholly pellet feeds in case of low input and low output production system. Different types of feeds that can be fed to rabbits are given in Annexure – IV a.
    21. If whole pellet is fed, feed is given at a time for many days.
    22. If concentrate and hay are given, then concentrate should be offered preferably in the morning and hay in the afternoon. Recommended concentrate feed formulae for Angora rabbits are given in Annexure – IV b.
    23. A practical combination of different types of feeds and regular timetable for feeding is advisable so that rabbits do not feel any stress due to changes in their daily routine.Watering:
20. Water should be available round the clock particularly to a lactating doe.
    25. Always give fresh and clean drinking water.
    26. Always keep water pots clean and remove sediments daily. Water pots should be cleaned thoroughly every week.
    27. Use of properly designed Automatic watering equipment can also be made.Breeding Management:
21. The average age at first mating is about 5-7 months and it varies with the physical maturity of individual rabbit and also breed.
    29. Mating should be done either early in the morning or in the evening.
    30. The doe is to be taken to the buck cage and never vice-versa
    31. The breeding should be planned in such a way that about 3 to 4 litters per doe are obtained per year during multiplicative stage.
    32. The nest box is kept in the cage around 25th day of pregnancy with loosened jute wool or wood shavings.
    33. Male rabbits can be used for mating until they are about three years.
    34. Inorder to prevent inbreeding depression rabbits from the same family should not be bred. Therefore, replace male rabbit about once every year.
    35. After three years, the full grown female rabbits should be replaced either by new purchases or females of own farm.Care of young ones:
22. The nest box should be removed after 5 weeks of kindling.
    37. Kits should be examined and dead ones should be removed daily.
    38. If the bedding becomes wet it should be replaced by a fresh and clean one.
    39. Weaning should be done at 5th or 6th week after kindling.
    40. No sudden change in feed is advisable.Disease prevention/control:
23. Clean sanitary conditions of rabbit cages, sheds and equipment, balanced feed and fresh clean water are essential to prevent chances of infection.
    42. The rabbits should be prevented from coming in contact with the feaces.
    43. Over crowding should be avoided.
    44. Proper ventilation should be provided.
    45. Flies which may act as carriers of the infection should be kept under control in the rabbitry.
    46. The common diseases of rabbits and recommended preventive/control measures are given below.
    47. Rabbit cages should be disinfected with blow lamp after every shearing and kindling cages before the doe is shifted and after weaning.
    48. Burn dead sick rabbits at once to keep the diseases from spreading.
    49. The bedding of the nest box should be burnt after use.
    50. The dead animals should be burried soon after post mortem (if required).Shearing of wool/marketing:
24. Shearing of wool should preferably be done when the wool is 5 to 6 cm long. Certain quality standards adopted by rabbit wool exporting countries is given in Annexure – VI.
    52. Young ones should be sheared a week after weaning and subsequently at every 10-11 weeks interval.
    53. Shearing should not be done on extreme cold days of December and January
    54. While shearing care should be taken to cut the wool as close to the skin in a single cut.
    55. After shearing animal should be given protection against adverse climate for 15 days.
    56. The wool should be sorted out into various grades for better marketing.
    57. Ensure the constant and study demand for wool and pelts.
    58. Avoid shearing of pregnant females 15 days before due date of kindling.
    59. Wool should be delivered in a clean manner to fetch premium price.
    60. Plan shearing of breeding stock 7-10 days before start of breeding in your flock to avoid poor reproductive efficiency.

Characteristic features of different wool breeds under Indian Conditions

S.No	Characteristic features	Breeds
		Russian Angora	British Angora	German Angora	French Angroa
1	Origin	Russia	British	German	French
2	Body weight (Kgs.)	2.75-3.25	3 to 3.5	3.5 to 4.5	2.5 – 3
3	Wool yield (gms. per year)	250-300	275-350	800 – 1000	700-800
4	Quality of wool	Interior	Fine	Superior	Fine
5	Guard wool (percent)	>7	<7	<3	>5

Housing specifications (hutch sizes) for Angora rabbits

S.No.	Particulars	Dimensions(ft.)
		Length	Breadth	Height
1	Breeding hutch/cage for breeding males + females	2 .	2	1 ½
2	Hutches/cages for single rabbit	2	1 ½	1 ½
3	Kindling cages	3 ft (2 + 1 for New Born)	1 ½	1 ½

Different types of feeds suitable for feeding rabbits

S.No	Category of feed	Feed staffs
1. 2. II	Roughages Dry Bulky feeds Fresh Bulky feeds i) Grasses ii) Green cereal plants iii) Legumes iv) Roots v) Green vegetables vi) Other plants Concentrates i) Energy supplements ii) Protein supplements	Hay made from grass or legume (Alfalfa) Guniea grass, Napier grass Maize, Sorghum Alfalfa, Berseem Turnips, radish, carrots, sweet potatoes, yams Green leaves of cabbage, spinach, lettuce etc. Banana leaves, various weeds, local grass Maize, Sorghum, millets, barley Soya flour, groundnut cake, cotton seed cake, meat, fish meal.

Recommended concentrate feed formulae for Angora rabbits. (Percentage)

S.No.	Particulars	Young rabbits	Adults rabbits Male Female		Lactating Does
1	Maize	15	15	15	20
2	Ragi/Jowar/Bajra	15	15	15	15
3	Deoiled Rice brass/wheat-brass	33.5	38.5	33	24.5
4	Groundnut cake	10	6	5	8
5	Sunflower cake	5	8	5	–
6	Soya Meal	–	–	5	10
7	Luecerne Meal	20	16	20	20
8	Mineral Mix	1	1	1.5	2
9	Common salt	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5
	Total	100	100	100	100

Feed requirements of rabbits (gms/day)

S.No.	Particulars	Concentrates	Hay	Greens+Veg/ Fruit garden waste
1	Breeding stock (on an average)	280	80	adlib
2	Weaners (7-12 weeks)	60	30	adlib
3	Growers (13-24 weeks)	90	30-40	adlib
4	Adult rabbits (above 24 weeks)	140	50-60	adlib

Common diseases of rabbits and their prevention and control

S.No.	Name of the disease	Important Symptoms	Prevention and control measures
1.	Coccidiosis	Diarrhea, loss of appetite and dehydration. May cause death in 24-36 hours.	(i) Coccidiostats like Sulphaquinoxaline + Sulphamerazine @ 0.02 to 0.10% in drinking water (ii) Strict Hygienic measures
2.	Body mange (Ear canker)	Intense prurity, scratching, scaling of the skin, loss of fur and animal becomes weak.	(i) Application of ascabiol lotion (ii) Ivermectin injection 0.02 ml/kg body wt (S/C) (ii) Strict hygienic measures
3.	Enterits complex	Subnormal temperature, crouched posture, roughned hair coat, gelatinous mucus with dry feaces and bloat.	(i) No successful treatment (ii) Tetracycline in feed @ 100 gm/tonne feed (iii) Adequate amount of fibre should be given.
4.	Pasteurellosis (Snuffles)	Discharges from nostrils, wiping of nose with paws, loss of appetite, high rise of temperature.	(i) 400000 IU of pencillin and 0.5 g streptomycin given I/M
5.	Shorehock	Inflamed areas or sores on the under surface of hind paws, weakness and dehydration.	(i) Sores should opened and antiseptic dressing should be applied. Provide soft bedding during treatment period
6.	Hind quarter paralysis	Sudden jerk, excitement, paralysis, loss of control over urination and defication.	(i) Affected animals should be slaughtered.
7.	Hairfball occlusion	Wool get accumulated in stomach and blocks normal passage of food.	(i) Treat the animal with mineral oil or neopeptin or fresh pineapple juice.
8.	Wryneck	Permanent turning of neck to one side, unable to eat, weakness.	Affected animals should be slaughtered

 

 

 

 

HOUSING OF RABBIT

A good housing facility with adequate arrangement of ventilation is the most important factor in rabbit house. Good house denotes proper cages or hutches and arrangement for feeding, watering, cleaning. House is important to keep the broiler rabbit in one roof and to prevent them from running away. There are several ways of housing rabbits. This depends on financial involvement and the climate of the place. In backyard rabbit locally available materials are used. The commonly used materials include tin cans, bamboos, old boxes, wood, bricks, asbestos sheets etc. Katcha floor and walls may be the components of the house.

1. Ideal Environment for Rabbit Rearing

(a) Lighting

Light has got paramount importance concerning reproductive efficiency. Natural or artificial light is required to be provided. If a buck is not provided with light exposure at least for 8 to 12 hours, its spermatogenesis will be hampered. On the other hand, a breeding doe will require at least 6 hours light exposure for its sexual performance and fertility. It is better to provide artificial light in the rabbit as per situation of natural light. It may be suggested to use 100 watt bulb or 40 watt fluorescent tube 2 metre above the ground at a difference of 3 metre for a period of 16 hours. When the day light falls, in that case light may be kept on at 6 a.m. and off at 8 p.m. Light should not be switched on or off very suddenly since this may make the rabbit to leap here and there due to agony leading to fracture and other injuries. Much lighting is not required for young rabbit only 1 to 2 hrs will do.

(b) Temperature

Rabbits can tolerate a wide variation of temperature ranging from 5°C to 33°C. But, the ideal comfortable temperature required by the rabbits ranges from 10°C to 26°C. The winter temperatures in Indian climate in most of the places excepting hilly regions are conducive to rabbit’s health. Rabbits in general, can tolerate the cold wave rather than the hot wave. Temperature in summer time may cause heat stress in rabbits. Therefore, adequate measures should be taken to reduce heat stress through cooling and good ventilation. Care should be taken to avoid draught. Adult rabbit can minimize hot through stretching of their bodies. Similarly to conserve heat they curl in lowered environmental temperature. But, young rabbit may not adjust with the surrounding fluctuation of temperature and may die. This aspect should be well taken care of by the rabbit keeper.

(c) Humidity

From systemic point of view rabbits can not tolerate too much moist condition. Humidity in rabbit house should remain within 50% level. All devices should be applied during rainy season to minimize humidity level. High temperature along with high humidity may adversely affect the health of rabbits. All the watering equipments should be kept in such a way so that there is no leakage of water. Water bottles can be kept outside to avoid breakage and thus accelaration of humidity level.

(d) Ventilation

A clean dirt and smoke free environment are the essential attributes for free breathing of rabbits. There should be proper arrangement for free movements of air. The location for air free zones in the house should be taken care of. The requirement of comfortable fresh air is most needed during the hot days in the summer. Strong draught should be avoided as far as possible. Some shady trees may be planted near and around the rabbitry to allow cool air during summer.

(e) Noise

Though there is no specific information available regarding the impact of sound pollution of rabbits but as a general practice noise should be avoided as far as possible. Noise may pose detrimental effect on the health of the rabbits since it may interfere with the copulatory instinct and maternal characters.

Rabbits are housed in cages, pens and hutches

Cages: Cages of does should be of 90 cm length, 70 cm breadth and 50 cm height. Those of bucks should be of 60 cm length, 60 cm breadth and 45 cm height for bucks. Cages are made out of wood, bamboo, or welded mesh. The size of wire mesh should be 1cm x 1cm for the bottom and 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm for the sides. From the ground to bottom to of the cage should be 75 cm to 90 cm high. The legs of the cages should be in such a manner that rats and snakes could not cause nuisance and it is advised to fix metal guards to the legs. 
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Cages should be placed in a shed that is constructed in cooler surroundings.

Pen: Young rabbits after weaning are kept in groups in the pens. Each pen measures 1.2 m breadth, 1.5 m length and 0.5 m height. About 20 weaning rabbits are housed in each pen. Once rabbits attain puberty, they may be housed singly; especially those adult males. If they are kept together they will fight and get injured.

Hutches: Outdoor hutches should be in a sheltered location, raised and with a slopping waterproof roofing. Hutch should be well protected from predators. Hutch is made out of (i) wood (ii) asbestos, and (iii) welded wire mesh.

Nest box: Nest boxes vary in size and design but in general the size is 50 cm long, 30 cm broad and 15 cm high. Nest boxes are made out of wood and should have provision for adequate drainage and ventilation. It is advisable to have a wire mesh bottom.

 

Feeders and waters: Feeders are generally made out of Aluminum or galvanized iron sheets. Feeders may be designed in such a way that they can be attached to the front panel of the cage and can be filled from outside without opening the doors of the hutch or cage. Automatic pipeline or bottles watering system are used widely in commercial rabbit farms. Glazed earthenware pots can be used for watering in cages.

Disease Management for Rabbit

The common diseases in a broiler rabbitry are Pasteurella infections – Snuffles, Conjunctivitis, Abscess (mixed infection), Blue Breast, Enteritis, Coccidiosis, Ear mange and Scabies.

Fortunately the two most deadliest Viral disease of rabbit viz. Myxomatisos and Viral Haemorrhagic disease are not prevalent and not documented in India .There are no commercially available medicinical preparations for Rabbits as such in Indian market.

Following critical points should be strictly looked upon:

1. Cages, sheds, feeders and waterers should be cleaned daily.
2. There should be adequate space/animal
3. Proper ventilation should be provided.
4. Sick animals should be isolated and kept in separate cages and treated immediately.
5. Routine operations like Feeding, watering, cleaning cages and utensils should be carried for healthy animals first and then the diseased ones.

 

Below are the most common diseases in rabbits that you should be aware of, along with their symptoms. In addition to these diseases be aware that nitrates in the drinking water can also pose a problem to rabbits.

Pasteurella multocida: This respiratory disease, commonly known as “snuffles”, can become endemic in a rabbitry. The acquisition of infection in young rabbits is related directly to the prevalence in older rabbits. Transmission is mainly by direct contact with nasal secretions from infected rabbits and may be greatest when rhinitis induces sneezing and aerosolization of secretions. The bacteria can survive for days in moist secretions or water. P. multocida gains entry to the respiratory tract primarily through the nares, and once infection is established, may colonize also the paranasal sinuses, middle ears, lacrimal ducts, thoracic organs and genitalia. Occasionally rabbits harbor chronic infections of internal tissues or organs, such as middle ears or lungs, without any signs of rhinitis and are negative for P. multocida by nasal culture. There are many strains of this bacterium which result in disease of varying severity.

Standard treatment involves antibiotic therapy, sometimes for months if the bacteria have become well- enriched in abscesses or other hard-to-access tissues. Abscesses often must be treated surgically. Rarely is the disease cured.

Bordetella bronchiseptica: This is another respiratory disease that is transmitted via direct contact, aerosol or contact with nasal secretions of infected animals. There is the possibility for human-to-rabbit transmission. It produces snuffles-like symptoms and is commonly a co-infectant with P. multocida. Antibiotics will treat symptoms but will not remove the carrier state. This organism is fairly fragile in the environment and is easily killed with sanitizing compounds. Dogs and guinea pigs can be carriers. Once a rabbit contracts this pathogen, it will be a carrier forever.

Staphylococcus aureus: There are many different strains of this nasty pathogen which range in virulence from low to extreme and can cause mastitis, pododermatitis (sore feet and hocks), endocarditis (inflammation of the endocardium of the heart), conjunctivitis (pink eye) and subcutaneous abscesses.   Antibiotic treatment must be tailored to the specific strain. Transmission is via a variety of vectors.

Moraxella catarrhalis: Another common respiratory pathogen in rabbits, this bacterium can also cause eye infections. This pathogen is often found in conjunction with other respiratory pathogens. Cleanliness and moisture management are key tools in controlling the occurrence and manifestation of this parasite. Symptoms include diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss and bloating. Stress is another causative factor. When rabbits are alarmed, hormones are released which slow the movement of food through the digestive tract and block cecotrophy (consumption of night feces). This results in alkalinization of the cecum, which can lead to explosions of populations of “bad” bacteria like clostridia, corynebacteria, pasteurella or E. coli. This process can take 5 to 7 days, so sleuthing out the cause of an enteritis attack means considering everything that has happened in the last week. Given that rabbits are sensitive prey animals and have a “high-alarm” response to perceived threats, almost anything can be a stressor – other animals, noise, unfamiliar people, changes in routine, being transported somewhere, extreme temperature variations, etc.

Parasites that can cause enteritis include trematodes (flukes), cestodes (tapeworms), nematodes (intestinal worms) and coccidia (protozoa). It is wise to establish a health care program with a veterinarian that includes regular checks for various parasites and a through prevention program. Coccidia are particularly ubiquitous in animal facilities and the environment in general, and outbreaks are common and can be very devastating, especially in young animals. Many common antibiotics and other compounds can cause enteritis and other problems, often with a high mortality rate. Keep in mind that only two pharmaceuticals – sulfaquinoxiline and lasalocid – are actually approved for use in rabbits. Rabbits should never be medicated without the supervision of a veterinarian.

With all these pathogenic vectors out there waiting to impact your rabbits, it’s small wonder that we sometimes encounter frustrating disease outbreaks. Implementing proper biosecurity protocols may help limit exposure and spread of costly diseases, while feeding your rabbits a diet with a high-plane of nutrition may help support their immune systems, preparing them to fight off disease when exposure does occur.

• Mycoplasmas: There are a number of mycoplasma pathogens that cause everything from pneumonia to reproductive failure. M. pulmonis is very common and is often endemic in rodent colonies. Rabbitries with rodent problems often have a high incidence of infections with this pathogen.
• Coccidiosis: Coccidiosis is a highly contagious, very common sporozoal infection in rabbits. There are many different variants of coccidia, and they primarily infect the intestine or the liver. The oocysts are shed in the feces and can contaminate the food, water and environment. This disease is especially prevalent in intensively managed animals.
• Enteritis: This is a catch-all term that means inflammation of the intestinal tract. There are many, many forms and causes.
  • Mucoid enteritis: True mucoid enteritis is primarily a disease of young rabbits 7 to 14 weeks of age. It stems from a change in cecal pH that disrupts the developing microflora population. Research indicates that dysautonomia (malfunction of the autonomic nervous system) may play a role. This disease is often accompanied by pneumonia and has a high mortality rate.Mucoid enteritis in adult rabbits is more likely to be part of the enteritis complex of causative factors and while it is definitely a serious condition, mortality is generally lower.
  • Non-mucoid enteritis: The primary symptom is watery diarrhea. Causes can range from infection with any number of bacteria or parasites, a diet that is too high in starch/sugar and/or too low in fiber, lack of water or a rapid diet change or consumption of feed the rabbit is not used to.
• Epizootic Rabbit Enteropathy: This relatively new and highly contagious disease is an import from Europe, where it has caused much havoc in rabbit farms. Symptoms include a rumbling noise, distended abdomen, mucous excretion, watery diarrhea and sometimes cecal impaction, along with decreased feed intake and high mortality. The causative agent is as yet unknown, though it is likely bacterial, not viral. Curiously, this disease does NOT involve inflammation of the intestines.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s): Sexually transmitted diseases can reduce conception rates, increase abortion and cause infection, often without obvious symptoms. New bucks should be tested before being used for breeding if they have been in a previous breeding program.  Rabbits can also transmit several diseases to people: ringworm, listeriosis, tularemia and common fur and mange mites can all be passed from rabbits to people.

 

 

 

Name of disease	Cause	Important features	Drugs	Remarks
Myxomatosis	Virus (spread by rabbit fleas and mosquitoes)	Inflammation and oedema of eyelids, ears, anal and genital orifices. Mucopurulent blepharo conjunctivitis Skin haemorrhages	No effective treatment	The disease causes 100 % mortality. Vaccination is practiced in many advanced countries.
Pasteurellosis	Bacteria (Pasteurella multocida)	Clinical forms that occur are sniffles, enzootic pneumonia, otitis media, abscess, septicaemia	Sulpha  quinoxaline, sulphadimidine
Coccidiosis	Protozoa (Eimeria species) E.stiedae, E.magna, E.perforans	Anorexia, debilitated condition, hepatomegaly, pendulous abdomen	Sulpha- quinoxaline, sulphadimidine, Nitro-furazone
Mucoid enteritis (Mucoid enteropathy)	Unknown cause (shift from neonatal to post- weaning nutritional substrates has been proposed as having a role in the pathogenesis)	Diarrhoea with clear to viscid and mucoid consistency, dehydration	No effective treatment
Blue breast (mastitis)	Streptococcus or Staphylococcus species	Bluish purple glands	Antibiotics
Ear canker (ear mange)	Psoroptes cuniculi	Shaking head, scratching ears with legs, crusty exudate in the ear	Benzyl benzoate (Ascabiol) for 2-3 days after removing the crusts and cleaning the ears.
Sore hock (ulcerative pododermatitis)	Pressure necrosis of the skin usually resulting from the bearing of heavy body weight on wire floors of the cages	Circumscribed ulcerated areas in the skin covered by dry crusty scab of the plantar surface of the metatarsal region, anorexia, loss of weight, humping of the back, tilted movements.	Zinc and iodine ointments and 0.2% solutions of aluminium acetate. Antibiotics parently to prevent secondary infections.
Ring worm	Fungus (Trichophyton microsporon)	Falling of hairs in patches resulting in areas of baldness	Griseofulvin
Body mange	Notedres cati	Falling of hairs from the ears and nose. Scratching the ears and face with forelimbs.	1. Benzyl benzoate (local application) 2. Ivermectin s/c injection at dose of 0.1 ml/5 kg body weight.

 

 

Reference-on request