SUSPECTED PASTEURELLOSIS OUTBREAK IN A RABBIT BREEDING UNIT: A CASE REPORT *OYEBANJI, B. O. AND ADEYEMI, A.

Abstract

This case report describes an outbreak of high morbidity and mortality in a rabbit breeding unit in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Affected rabbits presented with respiratory signs, reproductive failures, and systemic illness. Necropsy of one rabbit that died in transit revealed severe tracheitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, gastritis, and chronic fibrinous peritonitis. Cytology of lung and heart blood smears showed short bipolar rods suggestive of Pasteurella multocida, supporting a tentative diagnosis of pasteurellosis (“snuffles”) complicated by colibacillosis. Enrofloxacin at 10 mg/kg PO (orally) for three weeks with multivitamins (1 ml per 10 kg of live body weight I/m. V-Multinor, Jubaili Agrotec Group) was administered to the remaining adult rabbits. Pregnancy and changes in environmental temperature were suspected to be the stressors in this case. Hence, feeding schedules should be adjusted (feeding the animals in the morning when the temperature is cool and consistently refreshing the water during the day), and breeding practices should be modified to mitigate heat-related and breeding stressors. This case highlights the significance of respiratory and systemic bacterial infections in rabbit production and the need for ensuring biosecurity, disease surveillance, and breeding management practices.