Mechanism of Rabbit Red-Eye Disease: Pathophysiology In
Section 1: The Pathogenesis of Rabbit Pink Eye Disease
As mentioned previously, Pasteurella multocida is often pinpointed as the culprit behind rabbit pink eye disease. However, it's not entirely fair to lay the blame solely on this bacterium. In reality, Pasteurella has been a resident in rabbits' upper respiratory mucosa and tonsil areas all along, typically without causing illness. It's only when rabbits are stressed due to poor husbandry, unsanitary living conditions, extreme weather changes, or longdistance transportation, leading to a weakened immune system, that the bacterium takes advantage of this opportunity to thrive. This excessive growth of Pasteurella can lead to endogenous infections in rabbits, ultimately triggering the disease. The disease can be spread through the respiratory tracts, skin, and mucous membranes of infected rabbits. Healthy rabbits can contract the disease by coming into contact with infected rabbits, or by consuming contaminated feed, water, rabbit utensils, or excrement from the sick rabbits. The disease is highly contagious, appearing throughout the year and affecting all rabbits, with younger rabbits who have just been weaned being at an even higher risk.
Section 2: Incubation Period of Rabbit Pink Eye Disease
The incubation period for the symptoms in affected rabbits typically ranges from 2 to 7 days. In the early stages of infection, rabbits may exhibit the following symptoms: reluctance or difficulty in opening their eyes, pronounced swelling of the conjunctiva, eyelids, and palpebral conjunctiva, continuous tear production, pain, and the appearance of white or gray spots on the cornea. As the condition worsens, the cornea thickens and begins to ulcerate, leading to corneal scarring and opacity. Generally, affected rabbits do not display systemic symptoms, but when the eyes become purulent, the rabbit may experience symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, and a poor mental state, and in some cases, even blindness.
Section 3: Preventing and Treating Rabbit Pink Eye Disease Effectively
If you notice your rabbit displaying these eyerelated symptoms, it is crucial to provide prompt treatment to control the disease and prevent further complications. Immediate administration of erythromycin or rifampicin eye drops, along with chloramphenicol syrup, is generally effective. A typical treatment course lasts for three days, but owners must not become complacent and discontinue treatment, as the disease may recur. It is essential to continue the medication until the rabbit has fully recovered.
Expert Tip from Oxygen Pet Doctor: Rabbits are bound to encounter some diseases during their growth process, especially common and severe ones. As you focus on learning rabbit husbandry methods and techniques, it's equally important to educate yourself on rabbit disease prevention. Ensure your rabbits receive the necessary vaccinations, such as the Pasteurella vaccine, to reduce their risk of infection. However, the most critical factor is maintaining good husbandry practices. A healthy living environment is conducive to keeping rabbits healthy and reducing the incidence of diseases.
