Contagious Bovine Oral Stomatitis in Rabbits: A Compreh

Section 1: Incubation Period of Rabbit Infectious Vesicular Stomatitis

Rabbit infectious vesicular stomatitis primarily affects young rabbits between 1 to 2 weeks of age after weaning, with adult rabbits rarely contracting the disease. The illness does not transmit to other animals. Infected rabbits are the primary source of transmission, as the virus is present in their oral secretions and necrotic mucosal tissues. During feeding or drinking, the virus can be left in the feed and water, leading to infection in susceptible rabbits that consume contaminated food or water. Additionally, rabbits eating moldy feed, which weakens their immune system, and then consuming feed with sharp or hard particles that cause mucosal damage, can also trigger the onset of the disease.

Section 2: Symptoms of Rabbit Infectious Vesicular Stomatitis

The incubation period for rabbit infectious vesicular stomatitis is typically 5 to 7 days. The initial symptoms in affected rabbits include reddening and congestion of the mucous membranes. Subsequently, the lips, tongue, hard palate, and oral mucosa develop small, grainsized vesicles filled with fibrinous serous fluid. These vesicles then gradually transform into white or gray pusfilled pustules, which eventually ulcerate. Affected rabbits will experience excessive drooling. If secondary bacterial infections occur, the oral mucosa, lips, and tongue of the affected rabbits may necrotize, emitting a foul odor. As a result of the large amount of saliva, the rabbit's face, neck, chest, and other areas may become wet, leading to local skin inflammation and hair loss. In some cases, the reproductive organs may also exhibit vesicular or ulcerative lesions. Due to the severe damage to the oral cavity and excessive drooling, the rabbit may suffer from a loss of body fluids and mucoprotein, leading to difficulties in chewing, poor digestion, decreased appetite, or even anorexia. The rabbit may also show signs of depression, diarrhea, weight loss, and eventually become too weak to stand, leading to death. The duration of the disease can vary from 2 to 10 days, and the mortality rate after infection is over 50%.

Pet Doctor's Tip: It is important to differentiate rabbit infectious vesicular stomatitis from stomatitis caused by rabbits consuming chemical irritants, toxic substances, or moldy feed. While rabbit infectious vesicular stomatitis is contagious, stomatitis caused by other factors does not lead to transmission.