Rabbits are such cuddly looking little creatures and they seem so benign that it is often difficult to accept that they fall prey to the most deadly and horrible diseases. If you own even just one rabbit, it is a good idea to know what you should be watching out for.
1. Cancer. This disease is not only prevalent in humans; it can affect rabbits as well. Certain types are more common than others in these small animals.
A common form of cancer in the male is tumors in the testicles. Another form, more evident in young rabbits, lymphosarcoma, appears to be genetic. This cancer affects mostly lymph nodes, liver, kidneys and spleen, although any tissue is susceptible.
Similar treatments to those used in humans have been executed successfully in rabbits with cancer, as well. Treatments such as surgery, amputation, chemotherapy and radiation have all proven effective against rabbit cancer.
2. VHD/RCD. These letters stand for Viral Hemorrhagic Disease of Rabbits/Rabbit Calcivirus Disease. This nasty virus is basically a lupine Ebola. It is easily passed through simple contact and instantly attacks internal organs. The liver is particularly vulnerable to this infectious disease. The infected animal will usually die within 24 hours due to massive hemorrhaging of internal organs.
Prevention of VHD is not simple, as the virus can live for a very long time (3-18 months) outside of the host body. If you come into contact with an infected animal, alive or dead, or feces of an infected animal, you can transmit the infection to your own animals. It is important to wash thoroughly anything that comes in contact with a possible infection with a 10% bleach solution and burn anything that cannot be washed, such as hay.
Symptoms of VHD include foaming at the nostrils, fever, loss of appetite, and muscle spasms as well as bleeding from one or more parts of the body. However, symptoms are not always present.
3. Snuffles. This is a disease caused by bacteria, most commonly staph or pasteurella multocida. It is extremely contagious and an infected animal must be quarantined immediately and treated with a safe antibiotic.
In some cases, the antibiotics used to treat an infection can actually be deadlier than the disease itself, so it is important to speak with your vet about the possibilities of a bad reaction.
4. Toxoplasma. A very deadly affliction in the rabbit population. Luckily, it is rare. It is a build up of toxins in the body, causing central nervous system problems such as paralysis and convulsions. Weaker symptoms include nasal discharge and lethargic behavior.
Treatments for toxoplasma are almost never effective. They include tetracyclines and sulfas. However, in most cases, the infected animals die within a week, if not sooner.
There are many other diseases that can affect your rabbit, but they are not as dangerous as the four listed above. It is important to know what to look for and to be ready to quarantine your rabbit at the first sign of a contagious disease. This is the best way to prevent problems.
