My parents have a small rabbitry in south Mississippi and I live in Tennessee. They have gotten something in the rabbitry that I have had no luck indentifying through the internet. The rabbits are going blind and alot of them are dying. The eyes are crusting over and they are putting vasaline on them to soften them up some. Probably 50% of the babies are dying after they get out of the nest and are a few weeks old. They are blind and some get Diarhea and die really soon after. The cages are clean and the rabbits are well taken care of. Plenty of food and water etc. They are about to just give up and get rid of them. I hope someone can help with this. Thanks
Rabbits Dying
- Thread starter scp1974
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naturestee
Well-Known Member
I'm so sorry for your losses.
You really need a vet to help you diagnose this disease. It sounds like a rampant infection and antibiotics are probably needed. Exactly which antibiotic needs to be determined by the vet though.
In the meantime, do your parents use a disinfectant regularly? If not, they need to start ASAP. Vanodine is a popular choice. The cages, water bottles, food bowls, etc. need to be disinfected as often as possible because of this illness.
They also need to quarantine all sick animals. These animals should be fed and cleaned last each time, and hands washed and maybe clothes changed immediately after.
You really need a vet to help you diagnose this disease. It sounds like a rampant infection and antibiotics are probably needed. Exactly which antibiotic needs to be determined by the vet though.
In the meantime, do your parents use a disinfectant regularly? If not, they need to start ASAP. Vanodine is a popular choice. The cages, water bottles, food bowls, etc. need to be disinfected as often as possible because of this illness.
They also need to quarantine all sick animals. These animals should be fed and cleaned last each time, and hands washed and maybe clothes changed immediately after.
naturestee
Well-Known Member
You can also use bleach to disinfect, but it has to be diluted properly, rinsed off, and only used in a well ventilated area. Check this link for info, and for a link about Vanodine:
http://www.islandgems.net/cleaning.html
http://www.islandgems.net/cleaning.html
aurora369
Well-Known Member
I've only had a couple of litters, never had more than one doe... so I don't know how much help I'll be.
From the reading I've done, this sounds like Enteritis. Most babies get severe diarrhea and die within 48 hours. It's quite common in babies just out of the nest box. I don't know if it can cause goopy eyes though, that might be pasturella.
I don't really know what advice to give your parents, execpt to seperate the rabbits having the problems from the rest of the herd, and to disinfect everything.
Getting rid of bacteria or other germs that might be causing the problem.
I definitly think a vet would be able to help your parents fix the problem. It may be a case of needing antibiotics for the herd, or simply disinfecting.
I hope you find the answer.
--Dawn
From the reading I've done, this sounds like Enteritis. Most babies get severe diarrhea and die within 48 hours. It's quite common in babies just out of the nest box. I don't know if it can cause goopy eyes though, that might be pasturella.
I don't really know what advice to give your parents, execpt to seperate the rabbits having the problems from the rest of the herd, and to disinfect everything.
Getting rid of bacteria or other germs that might be causing the problem.
I definitly think a vet would be able to help your parents fix the problem. It may be a case of needing antibiotics for the herd, or simply disinfecting.
I hope you find the answer.
--Dawn
Starlight Rabbitry
Well-Known Member
Definitely need to see a vet to diagnose the problem. Are the sick rabbits seperated from the healthy ones? Sounds like they are all in the same area. This could be why you can't get rid of it. The disease just has more hosts to go to. Remove all the HEALTHY animals into a different barn or different part of the yard. If you have to bring them into the house. The point is you need to seperate them from the sick ones! I mean really seperate them, get them far away from the infected area as possible. Disinfect their cages before putting them back in.
As for the sick animals, I suggest you leave them in the "infected" area and disinfect their cages as well. Like I said above, a vet will prescribe something and also make sure you tell them how many rabbits were exposed and how many are showing symptoms. They will be able to give you enough medication for all.
Good Luck. I am sorry this is happening to you. Hopefully with seperating the animals will stop the spread.
Sharon
Let us know what happens!
As for the sick animals, I suggest you leave them in the "infected" area and disinfect their cages as well. Like I said above, a vet will prescribe something and also make sure you tell them how many rabbits were exposed and how many are showing symptoms. They will be able to give you enough medication for all.
Good Luck. I am sorry this is happening to you. Hopefully with seperating the animals will stop the spread.
Sharon
Let us know what happens!
pamnock
Well-Known Member
You really needto get one of the dead babies to the state vet (not your regular vet)to dosome cultures to identify the pathogen going through your herd. Could be viral (corona, rotavirus, etc.), pasteurella, E. coli, mucoid enteropathy, coccidiosis (primary or secondary) or any other number of pathogens.
When an undiagnosed outbreak like this occurs, the herd is often put on tetracycline to treat secondary bacterial infection.
Is it just young rabbits that are dying? This can often be due to a viral infection leading to mucoid enteropathy. This disease can cycle through a herd, and then stop just as quickly as it started. Continue to disinfect and try the tetracycline as well as getting a dead baby to the state vet ASAP (your vet can instruct you on what to do). Be certain to have them check for viral pathogens such as corona and rotavirus.
Don't give up -- this will cycle its way through and you'll be left with only the most healthy resistant animals. Many breeders have to go through difficult times like these.
Pam
When an undiagnosed outbreak like this occurs, the herd is often put on tetracycline to treat secondary bacterial infection.
Is it just young rabbits that are dying? This can often be due to a viral infection leading to mucoid enteropathy. This disease can cycle through a herd, and then stop just as quickly as it started. Continue to disinfect and try the tetracycline as well as getting a dead baby to the state vet ASAP (your vet can instruct you on what to do). Be certain to have them check for viral pathogens such as corona and rotavirus.
Don't give up -- this will cycle its way through and you'll be left with only the most healthy resistant animals. Many breeders have to go through difficult times like these.
Pam
