Pasteurella Question

[rwalston86]

Once a well rabbit is exposed to a rabbit with pasteurella, can the well rabbit get sick later on down the road or spread it to other rabbits, if they never got sick from the exposure initially ?

 

[squidpop]

One thing I've read about pasteurella is that its common for rabbits to just carry it in their noses without ever showing symptoms. This article explains it. Title is "Your bunny probably has it" http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/articles/past.shtml

I think there are many different strains of pasteurella and some are milder and the immune system can fight it off as long as the rabbit is healthy. If your rabbit was exposed but didn't get it, it may mean he has a really strong immune system.

Also, I've read about rabbitry owners striving to breed immunity into their stock. So when a pathogen strikes their rabbitry they keep the ones with the strong immune systems that could fight it off, and cull sick instead of treating. Culling the sick sounds heartless but this leaves them with stock that is more immune to diseases.

 

[Azerane]

Yes, most rabbits have pasteurella in their system, but often it only shows up once the animal is stressed, whether from another illness or environmental changes etc. The stress can give the bacteria the opportunity to take hold and make your rabbit sick.

 

[rwalston86]

Whatever this is it seems to take a while to before they get sick. They get the snuffles, then the seem fine for a week, then they slowly eat less and less, then not at all. They get ME. The crusty nose shows back up and there is mucus in the poop. I had a few die all with in two weeks. I thought it was over after a week, then noticed others getting sick but it taking much longer for them to get bad. There are some that it has been weeks since they were exposed but seem like they are getting a crusty nose...I'm so overwhelmed right now!

 

[majorv]

Pasteurella can wipe out your herd. Rabbits who've been exposed to it can come down with it under stress, but it also indicates they don't have a strong immune system. You don't want to breed rabbits with a compromised immune system. Pasteurella isn't curable.

 

[rwalston86]

So do I just cull any that get sick or all exposed?

 

[majorv]

I would take one to a vet to confirm that's what it is first. Quarantine those with symptoms from the others who aren't. If you confirm that's what it is, I wouldn't keep any showing symptoms and closely watch those who aren't.

 

[squidpop]

Since you mentioned they got mucus in their stools... do you think its possible they have another illness like coccidiosis weakening their immune system and making it easier for the pasteurella to take hold?

 

[squidpop]

I think what majorv said is a good idea, before you cull them all maybe take one to a vet and have them check for pasteurella and coccidiosis and investigate the possibilities. I think I would only cull sick and not the ones that seem healthy, because maybe the healthy ones have superior immune systems.