A simple guide to common diseases that affect rabbits, causes, symptoms and their treatments

A simple guide to common diseases that affect rabbits, causes, symptoms and their treatments:

1. Snuffles (Pasteurellosis)

Cause: Bacteria Pasteurella multocida
Symptoms: Runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, head tilt
Treatment:

– Antibiotics (like enrofloxacin or trimethoprim-sulfa)

– Cleaning the eyes and nose regularly

– Keep rabbit’s environment clean and stress-free

2. Coccidiosis

Cause: Parasite (Coccidia) affecting the liver or intestines
Symptoms: Diarrhea, bloated belly, weight loss, poor appetite
Treatment:

– Use of anticoccidial drugs (e.g. sulfa drugs like sulfaquinoxaline)

– Clean housing daily to prevent spread

– Provide clean drinking water

3. Myxomatosis

Cause: Myxoma virus (spread by mosquitoes and fleas)
Symptoms: Swelling around eyes, ears, and genitals, fever, loss of appetite
Treatment:

– No cure; mostly fatal

– Supportive care may help

– Prevention: Vaccination and insect control

4. Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD)

Cause: Calicivirus
Symptoms: Sudden death, bleeding from nose, fever, lethargy
Treatment:

– No effective treatment

– Prevention: Vaccination and biosecurity (limit exposure to wild rabbits)

5. Ear Mites (Psoroptes cuniculi)

Cause: Mite infestation
Symptoms: Head shaking, ear scratching, crusty ears
Treatment:

– Ivermectin or selamectin (administered by vet)

– Clean the environment

– Do not remove crusts forcefully

6. Gastrointestinal (GI) Stasis

Cause: Diet low in fiber, stress, dehydration
Symptoms: Not eating, small/no feces, bloating
Treatment:

– Fluid therapy

– Pain relief

– Motility drugs (e.g. metoclopramide)

– High-fiber diet (timothy hay) and syringe feeding

7. Flystrike (Myiasis)

Cause: Flies lay eggs on soiled fur; maggots invade skin
Symptoms: Visible maggots, foul smell, lethargy, pain
Treatment:

– Immediate removal of maggots

– Wound cleaning

– Pain management and antibiotics

– Prevention: Keep rabbit clean and check rear end daily