DISEASE SUMMARY PAGE

Bacterial Cellulitis in Lagomorphs

Summary Information
Diseases / List of Bacterial Diseases / Disease summary
Alternative Names See also:
Disease Agents
  • Staphylococcus aureus (B601.13.w13, B602.19.w19, B606.4.w4, B608.21.w21)
  • Pasteurella multocida (B601.13.w13, B602.19.w19, B606.4.w4)
  • Bordetella bronchiseptica (B602.19.w19)
Infectious Agent(s)
Non-infectious Agent(s) --
Physical Agent(s) --
General Description
  • Cellulitis due to Staphylococcus aureus infection is occasionally seen. (B608.21.w21)
  • Cellulitis in rabbits will usually occur acutely. (B602.19.w19, J213.4.w4)
  • This condition may develop secondary to a respiratory infection. (B602.19.w19)
Clinical signs
  • Acute onset of fever: 104 - 108 °F/40 - 42.2 °C 
  • Depression 
  • Anorexia 
  • Painful oedematous swelling 
  • Necrosis 
  • Sloughing 
  • Distribution of lesions: This condition is particularly seen over the neck, head, and thorax. 

(B601.13.w13, B602.19.w19, B606.4.w4, B608.21.w21, J60.6.w2, J213.4.w4)

Further Information
Diagnosis
Treatment
  • Parenteral antibiotics 
    • Therapy should be based on the results of culture and sensitivity.
    • Enrofloxacin (B602.19.w19)
    • ß-lactams (B602.19.w19)
      • Note: special care should be taken when using this type of antibiotic in rabbits - observe for gastrointestinal problems. (J213.4.w4)
    • ß-lactams combined with aminoglycosides (J213.4.w4)
  • Analgesia
    • Analgesics should be provided to manage the pain. (B606.4.w4)
  • Topical antiseptics 
  • Cool baths
  • Surgery
    • In rabbits that survive, the lesions may become abscesses (see Abscessation) or necrotic eschars that require surgical debridement. (B602.19.w19, B606.4.w4, J213.4.w4)
Associated Techniques
Host taxa groups /species
Disease Author Nikki Fox BVSc MRCVS (V.w103)
Referees Anna Meredith MA VetMB CertLAS DZooMed (Mammalian) MRCVS (V.w128); Richard Saunders BVSc BSc CertZooMed MRCVS (V.w121)

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