Bacterial Pneumonia in Rabbits

• Bordetella bronchiseptica Infection in Hedgehogs, Bears and Lagomorphs
• Colibacillosis (with special reference to Waterfowl, Hedgehogs, Elephants and Lagomorphs and a note on Bears)
• Pasteurellosis in Lagomorphs
• Mammalian Tuberculosis (with special reference to Badgers, Hedgehogs, Elephants, Bears and Lagomorphs)
• Tularemia in Lagomorphs (Bacterial Disease)

• In domestic rabbits with bacterial pneumonia, the most commonly isolated organism is Pasteurella multocida . However, other organisms, including Bordetella bronchiseptica, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus sp., Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis (Yersinia pseudotuberculosis), Vibrio fulnificus, Moraxella bovis, and Bacillus sp. have been isolated. Sometimes two organisms have been isolated from lungs with lesions of pneumonia (Bordetella bronchiseptica plus Pasteurella multocida ; Pasteurella multocida plus Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli plus Bordetella bronchiseptica; Pasteurella multocida plus Pseudomonas aeruginosa). (B602.17.w17, J35.159.w3)

• Bacillus sp.
• Bordetella bronchiseptica
• Escherichia coli
• Francisella tularensis
• Moraxella bovis
• Pasteurella multocida
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Pseudomonas spp.
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Staphylococcus spp.
• Streptococcus sp.
• Vibrio fulnificus
• Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

Clinical signs

• Poor exercise tolerance, increased respiratory rate - these may not be noticed in e.g. hutch-kept rabbits. (B602.17.w17)
• Anorexia and depression may occur in severe cases. (B601.7.w7, B614.8.w8, J10.36.w1)
• Dyspnoea, cyanosis. (B601.7.w7)
• Note: sometimes no clinical signs are observed before death. (B614.8.w8, J10.36.w1)

Gross pathology

• Pulmonary: In a study, lesions included red consolidation of the anteroventral lobes of the lungs, with or without emphysema; red and grey consolidation of the anteroventral lobes; diffuse red or red and grey consolidation; diffuse red and grey consolidation with emphysema or with lung abscesses, fibrinous pleuro-pneumonia and fibrinous pleuro-pneumonia with lung abscesses. (J35.159.w3)
• Note: severe lung lesions may develop without many clinical signs having been noted. (J10.36.w1)
• With disseminated staphylococcosis, fibrinous pneumonia or pulmonary abscesses may occur. (B602.17.w17)
• Final diagnoses in one study included acute haemorrhagic pneumonia, acute suppurative pneumonia and fibrinohaemorrhagic bronchopneumonia with fibrinous pleuritis. (J35.159.w3)

Diagnosis

• Clinical signs.
• Radiography. See: Imaging in Lagomorph Diagnosis and Treatment
  • In a rabbit with severe respiratory compromise, initially it may be possible only to obtain a conscious dorso-ventral radiograph of the thorax. If possible, a lateral view of the thorax should be taken, with the front legs drawn forwards. (B601.7.w7)
  • Assessment may be difficult due to the small thoracic cavity as well as intrathoracic fat which may be present. (B601.7.w7)
  • Obtaining an inspiratory film is challenging due to rapid, shallow respiration. (B601.7.w7)

• Environmental Assessment
• History & Documentation
• Physical Examination of Mammals
• Necropsy of Mammals
• Imaging in Lagomorph Diagnosis and Treatment
• Clinical Pathology of Lagomorphs
• Treatment and Care
• Environmental and Population Management
• Preventative Medicine for Mammals
• Chapter 2 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen Collection and Preservation
• Chapter 3 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen shipment
• Appendix A - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Sample specimen history form

• Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus - Domestic European rabbit