3. Snuffles Pneumonia and Septicemia in Rabbits (Rabbit Pasteurellosis)

Aetiology:

Pasteurella multocida

Affected Animals

Most common contagious respiratory disease of rabbits

CS

• Sneezing, snorting, respiratory rattles

• Whitish-yellow discharge from nose, eyes, or both

• Acute form: Rapidly fatal septicemia

• Chronic form: Connected with respiratory lesions

Pathogenesis

• (same as cattle pasteurellosis)

• may be primary infection, contaminant of cutaneous/mucosal injuries

• secondary infection especially following viral disease of RT

• Principal Gross Lesions:

  • Fibrinopurulent bronchopneumonia

  • Pleuritis & pericarditis

• Lungs:

  • Well-demarcated red-grey areas in apical & cardiac lobes

  • Pleural cavity may contain clear/sanguineous fluid

  • Lung cut surface is firm with thick exudate from bronchi

  • Reddened trachea filled with frothy blood-stained exudate

• Pasteurellosis Metritis: Enlarged uterus with thick, cheesy, yellow pus

• Cutaneous Pasteurellosis: Large, sometimes lobulated abscesses deep in subcutaneous tissue

• Spread of Infection: Suppurative meningoencephalitis that come from inner ear

Diff diag

• salmonellosis

• pseudomonas

• staphylococcosis