INTRODUCTION

Its presentation on farms can follow TWO different TRENDS: We can find it as a SERIOUS DISEASE presenting the pathology by itself and with high persistence, difficult to control and recurrent or, on the other hand, as a DISEASE THAT SHOWS UP COYUNTURALLY in the farm wearing out the animals and facilitating the way to other diseases, often with seasonal and temporary presentation.

WHAT IS PASTEURELLOSIS?

Pasteurellosis is a bacterial disease caused by Pasteurella multocida, a Gram- bacteria of which there are many different serotypes that coexist regularly in the same animal. In the farm environment its survival is severely affected, so that the contagion is almost exclusively by contact between animals.

Pasterella multocida is found almost everywhere on the animal, but it is a bacterium that lives poorly outside the animals.

We can easily deduce that the health problems caused by Pasteurella on farms will hardly come from other farms, being therefore a problem exclusively of the affected farm and therefore we must study the specific shed looking for the possible causes that lead to the appearance of the disease.

SYMPTOMS OF PASTEURELLOSIS IN RABBITS

As the symptoms are so variable, it can cause numerous problems in diagnosis, as the clinical signs coincide with many other diseases and misdiagnosis is not infrequent. One of the situations that is frequently encountered at present is the great difficulty in making a differential diagnosis between a case of septicaemic pasteurellosis and rabbit haemorrhagic viral disease (RHVD).

• Upper respiratory tract (rhinitis-coryza)
• Lower respiratory tract (pneumonias)
• Ear (internal and external otitis)
• Dermal (abscesses under the skin)
• Mammary gland (mammitis, rare)
• Reproductive (metritis, salpingitis)
• Thorax (pericarditis, pleuritis)
• Abdomen (peritonitis)
• Septicaemia (internal haemorrhages)
• Purulent nasal discharge.
• Vestibular syndrome (head twisting)
  
  
• reproductive (metritis and orchitis)
• Cardiac (pericarditis)
  
  

Despite the great etiological difference between a virus and a bacterium, both cause haemorrhages and septicaemic processes, which can lead to misdiagnosis. In some cases, laboratory diagnosis is necessary, although often the response of the animals to treatment and the evolution of the mortality they present decide the diagnosis.

HOW TO PREVENT PASTEURELLOSIS?

Most authors agree that Pasteurellosis is closely related to environmental conditions. Factors such as temperature, humidity, ventilation, animal density, air speed, gas concentration (mainly NH3 and CO2), microbial load, etc. can cause respiratory tract irritation and facilitate the development of the disease (Astorga et al., 1997; Lamana, 2015; Selva et al., 2007).
For example, it has been shown that rabbits reared in an environment with a high ammonia load are more susceptible to respiratory disease (López and Lleonart, 1994).
Therefore, if favourable environmental conditions are not established, it will be very difficult to prevent the occurrence of respiratory problems, such as Pasteurellosis, in an effective and prolonged manner (Carrizo and Gutiérrez, 1994). Pasteurellosis is difficult to eradicate, so the most effective prevention system for this pathology, as for many others, is sanitary prophylaxis, and it is important to maintain a good farm management system.

• VENTILATION: The air must be renewed daily to avoid the accumulation of carbon dioxide and urine vapours in the air.
• TEMPERATURE: Rabbits tolerate cold much better than heat. Excessive heat lowers the animal's defences and accentuates the appearance of diseases.
• HUMIDITY: Excessive humidity can lead to the appearance of respiratory and fungal diseases.
• HYGIENE: Good hygiene is essential, an excess of dirt is not only unsuitable for the animals but also for the humans who come into contact with them.
• DENSITY: Overpopulation of animals encourages more diseases to occur and contagion is easier and quicker.
  
  

HOW TO TREAT PASTEURELLOSIS?

Treatment of pasteurellosis in rabbits can be challenging due to bacterial resistance and chronicity of infection. The main treatment approach involves the use of antibiotics effective against the bacteria, such as enrofloxacin or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid.

In addition to antibiotics, proper handling and care of the rabbit is critical to its recovery. This involves providing a clean and stress-free environment, good nutrition, and in severe cases, supportive measures such as fluid therapy or respiratory support therapy may be required.

CONCLUSION

It is important to note that symptoms and clinical pictures may vary from individual to individual, and some rabbits may show only mild symptoms, while others may present with severe complications.