Causes of Rabbit Respiratory Diseases: Understanding th

Section 1: Causes of Respiratory Diseases in Rabbits

There are numerous factors that can lead rabbits to develop respiratory diseases. The primary causes include feedrelated issues, living conditions, climatic factors, and pathogenic microorganisms.

1. Feedrelated Factors

(1) Poor Feed Quality. Rabbits can contract respiratory diseases by consuming moldy, spoiled, or decayed feed. Moldy feed often contains aflatoxins, which are toxic substances that can cause inflammation and necrosis in the rabbit's lungs. These toxins can also weaken the rabbit's immune system, making them more susceptible to respiratory infections.

(2) Feeding Rabbits with Powdered Feed. This type of feed can lead to aspiration pneumonia in rabbits, as they may inhale the powder. It is best to use pellet feed instead of powdered feed, and if powdered feed must be used, it should be moistened before feeding the rabbit.

2. Living Conditions

The environment in rabbit pens is a significant factor in the development of respiratory diseases. Key factors include:

Pens located in lowlying, damp areas are more prone to causing respiratory diseases in rabbits.

Poor pen hygiene, with high concentrations of ammonia or carbon dioxide, can irritate the rabbit's upper respiratory tract and lead to disease, sometimes even death.

Inadequate ventilation in the pen, resulting in a lack of fresh air, can contribute to the onset of disease.

Difficulties with pen drainage and excessive population density can also lead to respiratory diseases in rabbits.

3. Climatic Conditions

Major factors include significant temperature fluctuations, seasonal changes, and large differences between indoor and outdoor temperatures. Additionally, the humid, warm climate during the plum rain season in southern regions can promote the growth of mold and bacteria, weakening the rabbit's immune system and leading to illness.

4. Pathogenic Microorganisms

(1) Pasteurella multocida is a primary pathogen responsible for respiratory diseases in rabbits. This is a conditional pathogen, and changes in climate and poor sanitation can lead to infection. Respiratory diseases often occur in conjunction with Pasteurellosis and Streptococcal pneumonia.

(2) Bordetella bronchiseptica is another common pathogen causing respiratory diseases. Rabbits are highly susceptible to Bordetella bronchiseptica, with climate changes, damp environments, and poor management being the main triggers for infection.

(3) Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterium present in the rabbit's upper respiratory tract that can cause both endogenous and exogenous infections.

(4) Klebsiella pneumoniae is a parasitic conditional pathogen that affects both the rabbit's respiratory and digestive tracts. This bacterium can weaken the rabbit's immune system, especially when rabbits are on longterm broadspectrum antibiotics. The symptoms of this disease are similar to those of other respiratory diseases, and diagnosis often requires laboratory testing.

That concludes our discussion on the causes of respiratory diseases in rabbits. We hope that rabbit breeders can use this information to avoid the causes listed above and take proper precautions to prevent respiratory diseases in their rabbits.