Enterocolitis of the rabbit

The enterocolitis of the rabbit is an inflammation of the small intestine and the colon .

causes

There are two forms of enterocolitis in rabbits , antibiotic-associated enterotoxemia and infectious enterocolitis.

Antibiotic-associated enterotoxemia results from the administration of antibiotics that are not effective against clostridia . This leads to an overgrowth of the intestine, especially Clostridium difficile .

Infectious enterocolitis is mainly caused by highly pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli , more rarely by Lawsonia intracellularis . Since the disease is highly infectious, it can spread epidemically in herds .

Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Affected animals stop eating and sometimes show apathetic, motionless sitting in the barn. Thin, pulpy diarrhea with a slimy admixture of a gelatinous secretion with a putrid odor is observed in the initial stage, later the dropping of feces can cease and a distension of the abdomen occurs.

The diagnosis will be based on the clinical picture and a bacteriological examination of the feces.

The treatment is carried out with broadly effective antibiotics such as chloramphenicol or metronidazole .

literature

• H. Schall: Enterocolitis. In: K. Gabrisch, P. Zwart: Diseases of pets. 6th edition. Schlütersche, Hannover 2005, ISBN 3-89993-010-X , p. 28.

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !