It seldom causes disease in pet rabbits, but can cause serious infection in colonies of rabbits kept for breeding, meat or fur production or in laboratories. Characterisation of pasteurella multocida isolated from rabbits in the. Snuffles is a general term describing a group of upper respiratory disease symptoms common in rabbits. Bacteremia may be secondary to pneumonia or rhinitis, and serosal and endocardial hemorrhages may be appreciated. Pasteurellosis is an infection with a species of the bacterial genus pasteurella, which is found in humans and other animals pasteurella multocida subspecies p. Pasteurella species have been cultured from a variety of animal species and are known to cause diseases such as snuffles in rabbits, pneumonia in sheep, and shipping fever in cattle. Evaluation of pasteurella multocida isolated from rabbits. Pasteurella multocida and bordetella bronchiseptica. Pasteurellosis when nasal cultures are collected, not every positive result indicates a pathologic condition. These infectious diseases usually are introduced by contact with infected rabbits or by contami.
The genus is named after the french chemist and microbiologist, louis pasteur, who first identified the. Whole cells and lipopolysaccharides lps of 10 isolates of pasteurella multocida from laboratory rabbits were subjected to chemical and serological analysis. Pdf clinicopathological studies of pasteurella multocida b. Mishandling of environmental conditions, in addition to the confinement of rabbits, can facilitate the onset of this disease. In a world where most emerging and reemerging infectious diseases are zoonotic in nature and our contacts with both domestic and wild animals abound, there is growing awareness of the potential for human acquisition of animal diseases. Although clinical signs are frequently used to diagnose pasteureliosis, other organisms can cause similar clinical signs. Pasteurellosis will also reduce feed efficiency and increase the number of days to market. It is characterized by disease of the respiratory system, pyogenic lesions affecting various. Overview of pasteurellosis of sheep and goats generalized. Pasteurellosis in pigs respiratory system veterinary. Commercial vaccines are available for cattle but unfortunately are specific for m haemolytica a1, and there is little or no crossprotection against m haemolytica a2 experimentally. Host response in rabbits to infection with pasteurella multocida.
We used a potassium thiocyanate extract pte produced from p. Pasteurella, as a common pathogen in rabbits, is not cause for concern unless a rabbit begins to exhibit signs of disease. Some older rabbits can have breathing difficulty from heart disease or cancer and not have infection at all. The goal of this study was to characterize pasteurella multocida isolated from rabbits. However, an outbreak of disease can occur in a few rabbits or many, at home or in a shelter or other location.
Pasteurella infection in the house rabbit ohio house. Often, pasteurella occurs with other bacteria, simultaneously causing infection. If detected early, it can be dealt with, however it can become chronic or fatal if left untreated. It often accompanies or follows unusual environmental or other stresses. Incidence of pasteurellosis snuffles in a rabbit farm n. Diagnosis of snuffles pasteurellosis in rabbits if you suspect your rabbit may have a case of the snuffles, a visit to his veterinarian will most likely be in order. Evaluation of pasteurella multocida isolated from rabbits by capsular typing, somatic serotyping, and restriction endonuclease analysis amna b. Signs and symptoms of pasteurella infection pasteurellosis usually involve the upper respiratory tract. Pdf pasteurella multocida infections in rabbits may remain subclinical or can cause a variety of acute or chronic diseases in most organs. Pasteurella multocida is the most commonly reported organism in this group, and is well known as both a common commensal part of the normal bacterial flora and pathogen in a variety of animal species. It is a small, gramnegative bacillus with bipolar staining by wayson stain. It is an opportunistic bacteria when in the body, which means that the bacteria is normal and in certain parts of the rabbits body. Rabbits of all ages are susceptible but symptoms often occur in juvenile rabbits, as they become infected from the mother or other bunnies.
It is highly contagious and transmitted primarily by direct contact. Pasteurella infection can travel to the eyes, causing conjunctivitis inflammation of the inside of the eyelids and the white of the eye and a discharge. Twenty seven pasteurella multocida rabbit isolates were characterised by pulsedfield gel electro phoresis pfge generated by restriction. Like other pasteurellaceae, pasteurella species are highly prevalent among animal populations, where they are often found as part of. It will help you recognize symptoms of rabbit disease and then show you how to cure or treat the problem cause.
To administer the oral antibiotics, hold your rabbit snugly. Pasteurellosis pasteurellosis is caused by infection with the bacteria in the genus, pasteurella. Pasteurella multocida is the most commonly reported organism in this group, and is well known. Lipopolysaccharides of pasteurella multocida by polyacrylamide. Affected rabbits may make a loud snuffling or snoring sound because of the mucous in their nose, giving rise to the. The lab animal reservoir for pasteurellosis is cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, and pigs. Snuffles is a common bacterial respiratory disease in rabbits. Pasteurella multocida bmc veterinary research biomed central. Snuffles in rabbits pasteurellosis causes, symptoms. When a rabbit comes down with symptoms from this bacterium, the vet calls this disease pasteurellosis, the general term used when the rabbits immune system has been overwhelmed with p. The bacteria may also infect the ears, with resultant head shaking, scratching. Pasteurella in rabbits kristin claricoates, dvm pasteurella is a gram negative rod bacteria. Field trial of a pasteurella multocida extract vaccine in.
Snuffles pasteurellosis in rabbits symptoms, causes. This is a chronic and destructive form of cold in rabbits. Pasteurellosis is most commonly seen in pigs as a complication of mycoplasmal pneumonia see mycoplasmal pneumonia, although swine influenza, aujeszky disease, bordetella bronchiseptica, or haemophilus parahaemolyticus may also cause changes in the lungs that lead to disease caused by pasteurella spp. Infected rabbits may have a watery nasal discharge and sneezing, followed by a thick, whitish or yellowish nasal discharge. While there can be various causes of these infections, the most typical and usually accepted cause of snuffles is infection with the bacteria pasteurella multocida. Pasteurella sp are a genus of zoonotic bacteria meaning they can be passed between animals and people. This post will assist rabbit owners determine, comprehend the treatment, and avoid snuffles in their own rabbits. Several studies have shown that if a group of rabbits is tested, approximately 20 to 60 percent will test positive for pasteurella but will not show any sign of disease. Rabbits are often coinfected with other bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus, bordetella bronchiseptica, moraxella catarrhalis, pseudomonas aeruginosa, mycobacterium spp. Many pet rabbits carry pastuerella multocida, although pasteurellafree rabbit colonies are common in research settings pasteurella multocida is the most common cause of respiratory disease in rabbits pasteurellosis primarily causes rhinitis in rabbits, however disease may also present as lower respiratory tract infection, otitis media, dacryocystitis and.
Its health effects in rabbits house rabbit society. Naturally occurring pasteurellosis in laboratory rabbits. They are a natural inhabitant of the skin, digestive tract and oral cavity of cats, but can cause disease under the right conditions. Pasteurella multocida is a gramnegative nonmotile coccobacillus that causes pasteurellosis, also known as snuffles, the primary respiratory disease affecting domestic rabbits deeb and digiacomo, 2000. Pasteurellosis in laboratory rabbits infection and immunity. Such rabbits are carriers and can infect in contact animals. Pasteurella multocida infections in rabbits may remain subclinical or can cause a variety of acute or chronic diseases in most organs, particularly tissue in the repiratory and genital tracts. A monoclonalantibody pasteurella outer membraneprotein. Pasteurellosis can cause a variety of clinical signs, but these are not pathognomonic, so culture is recommended. The predominant syndrome is upper respiratory disease or snuffles. Pasteurella infection can travel to the eyes, causing conjunctivitis inflammation of the inside of the eyelids and the white of the eye and a discharge andor crusting around the eyes. Pasteurella species are nonmotile and pleomorphic, and often exhibit bipolar staining safety pin appearance. The colds may lead to classically described snuffles and further to pneumonia. The name is sometimes used interchangeably with the socalled shipping fever, a specific type of pasteurellosis caused by pasteurella multocida that commonly attacks cattle under stress, as during shipping.
A page about pasteurellosis in sheep describing cause, clinical signs, diagnosis and control. Pdf naturally occurring pasteurellosis in laboratory. Meanigmand igg levels for 35 culturenegative rabbits were 0. Rabbit respiratory disease snuffles, pasteurellosis. Pasteurellosis is a devastating condition affecting sheep of all ages. Infectious diseases caused by pasteurella multocida in rabbits basics overview pasteurellosis is a bacterial disease that can be a cause of nasal or sinus infections, ear or eye infections, pneumonia, or abscesses in bone, joints, or internal organs in rabbits. Pasteurellosis is a rabbit disease that happens when the rabbit s immune system is overcome by pasteurella bacteria.
Pasteurellosis primarily causes rhinitis in rabbits, however disease may also present as lower respiratory tract infection, otitis media, dacryocystitis and conjunctivitis, abscesses in various tissues, reproductive tract disease, and septicemia. Finally help for deciphering your rabbit s symptoms. Female rabbits may have a vaginal discharge which may be serous to mucopurulent andor a history of infertility. Snuffles in rabbits pasteurellosis causes, symptoms and. Pasteurella may also cause pneumonia in the house rabbit. The main clinical signs observed in infected rabbits comprised of conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, pyrexia, sneezing, dyspnoea and abdominal. To make things easier, ask your vet to prefill syringes with the correct amount of antibiotic per dose. It also describes the living conditions that best ensure rabbit health. Pasteurellosis prevention would be desirable given the economic costs of treatment, losses, and reduction of weight gains in survivors. This infection has numerous clinical variants and can affect various organs in a rabbits body.
Like other pasteurellaceae, pasteurella species are highly prevalent among animal populations, where they are often found as part of the normal microbiota of. Rabbits usually do not recover from this infection and may have periodic flareups of the cold. Pasteurella in rabbits is a disease that appears, above all, in overcrowded places where rabbits are raised and kept. It can account for mortalities greater than 1520% of fryers young weaned rabbits. Pasteurella multocida is an important bacterial pathogen of domestic rabbits. Pcr in combination with serology is the most specific diagnostic test for pasteurellosis. It is caused by infection with bacteria of the pasteurella genus. Pathologic responses were compared in rabbits immunized intravenously or mucosally with p. Pasteurella species are non motile and pleomorphic, and often exhibit bipolar staining safety pin appearance. Pasteurella definition of pasteurella by medical dictionary. If, however, it relocates to another part of the body, it is capable of causing disease. Infected dogs and cats rarely display signs of infection. A very high percentage of rabbits as much as 85% carry the bacteria pasteurella multocida in their nasal passages without exhibiting any signs of illness and may never develop problems.
Pasteurellosis is a bacterial disease that can be a cause of nasal or sinus infections, ear or eye infections, pneumonia, or abscesses in bone, joints, or internal organs in rabbits. Although several vaccines have been tested under laboratory conditions, field trials of vaccines for the control of p. Pasteurella infection in the house rabbit ohio house rabbit. Pasteurellosis in rabbits article pdf available in compendium on continuing education for the practising veterinarian north american edition 224. Feb 17, 2016 pasteurellosis as a contagious disease is more often associated with breeding and industryrelated colonies of rabbits than it is with our companion rabbits. Pasteurella is commonly known as snuffles in rabbits due to its primary symptom of a runny nose. Pasteurellosis caused by mannheimia pasteurella haemolytica is the commonest cause of acute pneumonia in sheep, while infection with pasteurella trehalosi can also cause peracute systemic disease in young and growing lambs. Pasteurellosis is one of the most common and severe diseases of rabbits. Macaldowie, in reference module in food science, 2016. This 92page ebook covers the gamut of keeping your rabbits healthy. Treatment is best planned using sensitivity results on appropriate samples.
Pasteurellosis as a contagious disease is more often associated with breeding and industryrelated colonies of rabbits than it is with our companion rabbits. Dec 10, 2014 some older rabbits can have breathing difficulty from heart disease or cancer and not have infection at all. Pasteurella multocida is a well known cause of morbidity and mortality in rabbits. Pasteurellosis is a common disease in domestic rabbits 30%90% of apparently healthy rabbits may be asymptomatic carriers. Pasteurella multocida is a bacterial pathogen that can cause significant disease and subsequent effects on research activities involving rabbits. A pasteurella multocida gatf mutant al2116 was also used that was unable to assemble the external core of lps beyond glc iv.
Snuffles is a common term used when the symptoms occur in the respiratory system, and aptly describes the sneezing jags these sick rabbits experience. At weaning, about 25% of rabbits had nasal infections with p. There are a number of species and sub species, but all are quite similar 2. Pasteurella is a genus of gramnegative, facultatively anaerobic bacteria. Field trial of a pasteurella multocida extract vaccine in rabbits. Treatment for snuffles involves antibiotics, and possibly other treatment methods, to get rid of the bacteria.
However, in rabbits signs may include respiratory illness, nasal discharge, ear infections. One approach to control and eliminate pasteurellosis in rabbits is to develop an. Gatf is the galactosyltransferase which adds gal i to the 4th position of the glc iv 38. The natural history of infection with pasteurella multocida and bordetella bronchiseptica in domestic rabbits was studied prospectively at a commercial rabbitry. For patients with penicillin allergies, secondline agents include. Diagnosis of pasteurellosis relies upon clinical signs as well as laboratory testing. Caused by the pasteurella multocida bacteria, pasteurellosis can lead to one of the most common illnesses found in rabbits known as snuffles. Not surprisingly, cases of pasteurella infection have been documented following bites and scratches from a number of animal species.
Infected rabbits are unsuitable for research involving respiratory, genital, and sensory systems because of colonization by the organism andlesions in these systems 17. As rabbits groom their faces with their front paws, these infected rabbits often have nasal discharge and mats on their front paws. Lps of most of these isolates possessed pyrogenic potency comparable to lps from salmonella minnesota 9700, although their average ketodeoxyoctonate content was only 18% of that of salmonella. It is frequently caused by the bacteria pasteurella multocida, but can also be caused by other types of bacteria bordetella, staphylococcus. Frequent snuffles and forceful loud sneezing in rabbits 2. Pasteurella multocida is a causative agent of pneumonic pasteurellosis in ruminants. Although infection may be subclinical, disease characterized by rhinitis, pneumonia, abscessation of viscera and subcutaneous sites, metritis, orchitis, septicemia, and otitis media may occur. Rashidul islam and others published pasteurellosis in ruminants find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. Although pasteurella multocida serogroup f has been described as an avian adapted serogroup, it was recently found in rabbit nests in the czech republic. Most rabbits are exposed to the pasteurella bacteria but not all rabbits show symptoms. Pasteurellosis, any bacterial disease caused by pasteurella species. Various forms of pasteurellosis can occur, classified as localized and generalized.
To treat snuffles, your vet will prescribe oral antibiotics, which will be in liquid form and given using a syringe. Pasteurella in rabbits chicago exotics animal hospital. Pasteurellosis is an infection due to the bacteria species pasteurella multocida. Adult rabbits are the most important contact carriers. Of laboratory animals, rabbits are the most severely clinically affected. Rabbits can harbor pasteurella for long periods of time without showing any outward signs of carrying the bacteria.
Primary pasteurellosis occurs occasionally as a septicemic disease with meningitis in piglets. Pasteurellosis in rabbits symptoms and treatment second. It will be important to share with your veterinarian what signs and symptoms you have noticed and for how long. The genus is named after the french chemist and microbiologist, louis pasteur, who first identified the bacteria now known as pasteurella. Pasteurellosis is a highly contagious disease found in domesticated rabbits. B trehalosi mainly causes septicemia and systemic pasteurellosis in sheep s immune system is overcome by pasteurella bacteria. It is one of the most common causes of mortality in all ages of sheep. Pasteurella multocida can reside in the nasal cavity of rabbits without causing disease. Snuffles is a general term explaining a group of upper breathing signs. However limited genomic information is available on ovine strains involved in causation of pneumonic pasteurellosis. Pasteurella multocida an overview sciencedirect topics.