Symptoms and Treatment of Rabbit Sialosis: A Comprehens

Section 1: Causes of Rabbit Saliva Disease

The rabbit saliva disease, primarily affecting young rabbits, is primarily caused by a virus. This leads to an acute infectious stomatitis in the rabbits, characterized by vesicular inflammation in the oral cavity, lips, tongue, and other mucous membranes. Additionally, rabbits may develop this condition due to dental misalignment or oral diseases exacerbated by hot summer weather. The disease poses a significant threat to rabbits under three months old, particularly those between one to two weeks postweaning, who are most susceptible to infection.

Section 2: Symptoms of Rabbit Saliva Disease

Young rabbits, especially those recently weaned, are most prone to the saliva disease during the hot summer months. Given the challenges of keeping rabbits in the summer heat, it is advisable for owners to avoid introducing new rabbits during this season. The primary symptoms of rabbit saliva disease include:

In the initial stages, the rabbit's oral mucus turns red, followed by the appearance of vesicles of varying sizes on the lips, tongue, and other parts of the mouth. These vesicles contain fluid and are often accompanied by numerous tiny white or grayish vesicles. As these vesicles rupture, they gradually develop into lesions or ulcers. The rabbit's mouth and saliva may emit a foul odor. With the excessive flow of saliva, the skin that remains moistened by it can become inflamed and start to lose fur. The rabbit may also show a loss of appetite or complete refusal to eat. In severe cases, the rabbit may develop a fever above 40°C, exhibit signs of depression, diarrhea, and weight loss, and may die within 5 to 10 days.

Section 3: Treatment Methods for Rabbit Saliva Disease

Rabbit saliva disease, also known as rabbit infectious stomatitis or "rotten tongue root," is caused by a virus and is contagious. It is crucial to isolate and treat affected rabbits immediately. The cages, utensils, and other items that the sick rabbit has come into contact with should be disinfected using 2% hot lye water. For a more thorough cleaning, owners should use flame disinfection under proper fire safety precautions. It is also important to dispose of or disinfect all waste products from the sick rabbit.

Common medications used to treat rabbit saliva disease include 0.1% potassium permanganate solution, alum powder, coptis, and sulfadimethoxine tablets, among others.

This concludes the introduction to rabbit saliva disease by Oxygen Pet Doctor. We hope this information deepens your understanding of the condition.