Rabbits and their diseases
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Rabbits are animals prone to suffer various diseases that greatly affect their quality of life. For this reason, it is necessary to pay attention to the symptoms they present to determine the causes of their presence and their treatment.
The diseases of these animals can be caused by viruses, fungi and bacteria and parasites. Next, some of the diseases that affect these animals will be briefly described.
Viral diseases:
Among the viral diseases it is possible to find the following:
Myxomatosis: this is a serious disease that has no treatment so it can lead to the death of the animal. The best way to avoid this disease, is prevention, so it is recommended to vaccinate rabbits to create antibodies in them. The symptoms are the following: decrease or lack of appetite, generalized swelling, decay.
Hemorrhagic fever: this virus causes convulsions and hemorrhages in the animal and is quite aggressive, it can cause the death of the same in 3 days approximately. Symptoms: extreme thinness (anorexia), nervousness, apathy and difficulty breathing. Like the previous one, prevention is of vital importance. It is recommended to vaccinate the animal.
Rabies: this has no cure and the way to avoid it is through vaccination.
Diseases caused by bacteria and fungi:
Conjunctivitis: this is characterized by making rabbits have their eyes irritated and present the classic symptoms of a disease like this: irritation, overproduction of laganes. However, it is a disease that has a cure. It is recommended to visit the veterinarian who will indicate some ophthalmic drops to heal this condition.
Otitis: this causes pain in inflammation of the middle ear and then the inner ear. Its symptoms are: loss of balance, sideways head, itching and burning. The treatment is based on anti-inflammatories and analgesics.
Pasterelosis: disease caused by the characteristic dust of the animal's food. This causes sneezing, noises when breathing and nasal discharge. If you are attentive to the symptoms it can be a curable disease. It is treated with antibiotics.
Pneumonia: this usually presents the symptoms of the disease described above, but more aggressive, because it can affect the respiratory system. It is treated with antibiotics.
Tularemia: is a disease caused by fleas and mites. This does not present specific symptoms. It often happens that the animal stops eating and can die. To diagnose it, it is necessary to perform laboratory tests.
Coccidiosis: this disease is characterized by damaging the stomach of the animal. These can lose their hair, have diarrhea and gas. It does not feed or drink water and, in the end, it dies. In fact it is estimated that it is one of the deadliest diseases in rabbits.
Abscesses in the skin: balls filled with pus. To eliminate them it is necessary to make daily cures and treat with antibiotics.
Diseases caused by parasites:
Scabies: is a disease caused by mites. It produces itching, burning, and scabs. However, it is easy to treat. Ivermectin is usually used.
Fleas and lice: is of external origin. The rabbit can get to contract them if it is in contact with other animals, dogs, for example. This one is constantly scratching. Although it is not a deadly disease, it is recommended to treat it to prevent the appearance of other diseases such as myxomatosis or tularemia.
Diarrhea: rabbits have a delicate stomach, for this reason eating poorly washed food or in poor condition, can cause stomach upset. It is recommended to have an adequate hygiene to avoid these problems.
To conclude, it is convenient to insist that the best treatment is the one that is prevented, therefore, taking care of our rabbits will be our best option.