DISEASES OF RABBITS AND CONTROL
Common diseases of rabbits include:
(i) Coccidiosis
(ii) Enteritis
(iii) Ear canker mange
(iv) Helminthiasis
(v) Ringworm
(vi) Sore hock
(vii) Mixomytosis
(viii) Mastitis (nipple inflammation)
(ix) Pneumonia
(x) Bloat
(1)
what is Coccidiosis
: Causative agent: Coccidiosis is caused by protozoon. The
(2)
(3) symptoms include (i) passing o of soft faeces which may be blood stained. (ii)loss of appetite (iii)loss of weight (iv)death in severe cases
Control measures of coccidiosis
include:
(i) Treatment of sick animals with coccidiostat (ii)Raising rabbits on wire/raised cages (iii)Prophylatctic use of coccidiostat in feeds
(4)
Enteritis
: Causative agent: Enteritis is caused by protozoa, feed changes, stress or through poisoning
Symptoms include: (i) High temperature (ii) diarrhea which smells unpleasantly (iii) Loss of appetite (iv) watery faeces
Control:
(i)Avoid lumping together the young with different litters (ii) Apply appropriate drugs (antibiotic) (iii)Maintain good sanitation practices. (iv)Adopt good feeding regime/programme
(5)
Ear Canker
Causative agent: Ear Canker is caused by mange mite
Symptoms include: (i) brown scab inside the auditory canal (ii) swelling and painful ear (iii) ear scratching
Control Measures:
(i)Treat affected ear with appropriate drug (liquid paraffin on cotton wool); (ii) isolate affected animal; (iii)invite a veterinary doctor; (iv)use of miticides
(6)
causes of Bloat:
Causative agent: This disease is caused by feeding disorder (when animal eat too much green feed too fast) and also when feeding on mouldy feed.
Symptoms include: distended stomach/abdomen and respiratory difficulty
Control: (i) Feed animals with balanced diet (ii) Do not allow the animals to get too hungry before feeding
(7)
causes of Mixomitosis
: Causative agent: It is caused by virus. Symptoms include: (i)Untriftness (ii)Runny nose (iii)high fever
Control measures: (i) isolate infected ones (ii) Destroy (bury or burn) dead one (iii) Treat with antibiotics to reduce cross infection
(8)
causes of Helminthiasis
: Causative agent: Helminthiasis is cause by worms. Symptoms include: (i)Poor growth (ii)Anaemia (iii)Diarrhea (iv)Death in high infestation (v)Constipation
Control measures: (i) Deworm regularly (ii) Practise good sanitation
(9)
causes of Ringworm
: Causative agent: Ringworm is caused by fungus.
Symptoms include: (i) Circumscribed lesion on skin (ii) Loss of hair on affected skin
Control measures: (i) Use of fungicide to cure lesions (ii) Isolate affected animal
(10)
causes of Sore-hock
: Causative agent: Sore-hock is caused by pressing the hock against hard structure which leads to injury and infection. Symptoms include raising up the hock when in sitting position.
Control measures: (i) Dress wound with disinfectant solution. (ii) Cover wound with antibiotics dressing.
FINISHING OF RABBIT TO MARKET WEIGHT
The adult doe does not have any particular heat period. The presence of a buck could stimulate the doe to come on heat. The gestation period of doe is 31 days.
Prior to kindling, nest boxes and bedding materials are provided for the doe in the hutch. The doe can give birth to four to eight litters at a time. The young ones are fed first with colostrurn and after two to three days on milk produced by the doe. After about four to eight weeks, the young rabbits (flyers) are weaned and they will start to feed on solid food and green feed as well. Growth is rapid and in the absence of diseases and parasites, coupled with good feeding programme and management, the rabbit will mature after attaining 4-5kg at four to six months of age.
Rabbit should never be lifted by their ears or legs as that might permanently injure them. Small rabbits or flyers may be lifted and carried comfortably without hurting them by grasping the loin (between the hips and ribs), with the heel of the hand towards the tail of the animal. For heavy rabbits, grasp a fold of skin over the shoulder and lift, holding the rabbit against the body with its head under an arm, the fore-arm being extended along the side of the animal and the head under its rump for support. This prevents struggling and the rabbit maybe carried comfortably.
1
PROTOZOAN DISEASES
155. TRYPONOSOMIASIS
159. TAPE WORM
160. ROUND WORM OF PIGS
161. LIVER FLUKE
162. ECTO PARASITES
163. TICK
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