Rabbit Fever: Can It Spread to Humans?

Section 1: Clinical Symptoms of Rabbit Fever

Rabbit fever commonly affects rabbits over 5 weeks old and typically lasts for 3 to 5 days. The disease has a high mortality rate, with affected rabbits refusing to eat before their demise. They may exhibit brief periods of restlessness, such as frantically darting around their cages and loud screaming, along with a rise in body temperature. Postmortem, the rabbits may present with an archedback posture, and some may have nasal bleeding. The clinical signs include poor blood clotting, enlarged liver and spleen, with the liver showing blood spots and necrosis. The spleen is often enlarged and purplered. Many affected rabbits will have blood clots or bleeding in the throat and bronchial mucosa, and postmortem, there is often bleeding in the digestive tract.

Section 2: Causes of the Disease

1. Immunization Failure: Multiple factors can lead to failed immunization in rabbits, such as lowquality vaccines, improper immunization schedules, improper vaccine storage, insufficient dosage, or vaccine leakage.

2. Inadequate Management: Poor management practices by owners, including irregular feeding, lack of scientific husbandry techniques, unsanitary conditions in the rabbitry, poor air quality, uncontrolled temperature and humidity, and delayed treatment of other diseases, can weaken the rabbits' resistance to illness.

3. Breed Factors: Some rabbit breeds have weaker constitutions and lower resistance to diseases, making them more susceptible to rabbit fever virus infection.

Section 3: Prevention Measures

1. Strict Management: Owners should focus on daily care and management to enhance the rabbits' health and boost their disease resistance.

2. Scientific Immunization: Adhere strictly to the rabbit fever immunization schedule. The optimal immunization period is between 2 to 3 months of age, with a second dose around 6 weeks later. Subsequently, rabbits should be vaccinated every 6 months to maintain adequate immunity.

3. Early Intervention: If rabbit fever is detected, take immediate action.

a. Vaccinate all rabbits in the farm with the rabbit fever vaccine as soon as possible, doubling the dose to reduce mortality rates.

b. In the early stages of infection, inject Wankang Injection into the affected rabbits based on their body weight. Administer 2.5 to 5ml intramuscularly per rabbit, once daily, for two consecutive days.

Dr. Oxygen Pet温馨提示Rabbit fever does not infect humans, but it poses significant harm to rabbits. We hope rabbit owners take proactive preventive measures for their pets!