Causes of Rabbit Rhinitis: Understanding the Underlying

Section 1: Causes of Rabbit Rhinitis

Rabbit infectious rhinitis is a result of the combined action of various pathogenic microorganisms, with the most common infectious agents being Pasteurella multocida and Bordetella bronchiseptica. In reality, the incidence of rabbit rhinitis is quite high in most rabbit farms. The triggering factors for this condition are primarily as follows:

1. Overcrowded Housing. The higher the density of rabbits in a pen, the greater the incidence of rhinitis. Conversely, a lower density of rabbits leads to a lower incidence. Comparisons of different housing densities in rabbit farms have shown that rabbits housed in singlelayer pens are less likely to develop infectious rhinitis, whereas those in triplelayer or multilayer pens have a significantly higher incidence of the disease.

2. Poor Ventilation. In poorly ventilated, enclosed rabbit sheds, fresh air is severely lacking, and the air is filled with harmful gases such as ammonia and sulfur dioxide, as well as a substantial amount of dust. Rabbits living in such conditions for extended periods experience a significant drop in their respiratory resistance. This can lead to the proliferation of pathogens in the respiratory tract, triggering rhinitis. In contrast, wellventilated sheds rarely see cases of rhinitis.

3. Extreme Weather Changes. Rabbit infectious rhinitis can occur yearround, with the highest incidence in winter, followed by spring, and a slightly lower incidence in summer and autumn. The triggering factors for rhinitis vary with the seasons. In spring and autumn, common triggers include unstable temperatures and large diurnal temperature differences. In summer, it's the high humidity and heat that increase the respiratory burden on rabbits. In winter, the main triggers are cold fronts and poor ventilation. Generally, rabbit farms with good environmental control have a lower incidence of rhinitis.

4. Breed Factors. Regardless of whether it's meat rabbits, fur rabbits, or skin rabbits, all can be susceptible to rhinitis. Among these, meat rabbits have the lowest infection rate, followed by skin rabbits, with fur rabbits having the highest incidence. Therefore, owners must pay special attention to the management of fur and skin rabbits. Additionally, it's crucial to be cautious about sourcing new rabbits, avoiding introducing them from highincidence populations to prevent a higher disease rate in your own flock.

5. Management Conditions. The incidence of rabbit rhinitis can vary greatly between different farms. Apart from the above factors, the daily management level of the rabbit farm also has a significant impact on the incidence of rhinitis. Proper management and care can significantly reduce the incidence of rhinitis, whereas inadequate management can lead to a higher incidence.

This concludes the introduction to the causes of rabbit rhinitis by Oxygen Pet Doctor. The factors mentioned above are common influences that can lead to the development of rhinitis in rabbits. We hope that after reading this article, all rabbit owners will be better equipped to prevent the disease in their pets.