After snuffles, coccidiosis is the most dangerous disease for domestic rabbits. Many adult rabbits are carriers of this disease, which comes in two forms: hepatic (liver) and intestinal coccidiosis. The latter is much more common. The coccidia form colonies in the intestinal walls and cause a great deal of pain, diarrhea, and wasting. The coccidia multiply first asexually and then sexually.
As the fertilized egg cells are passed out with the infected rabbit's droppings, they can further multiply in moist areas and infect other rabbits. The danger of infection is especially great in the nesting environment, when mother and litter are close together in a small area and the chances of food being infected are much greater. Many breeders use grids in their hutches so that the droppings fall through and pose no danger to the animals. If detected early, coccidiosis may be successfully treated with one of the sulfonimide drugs available through a veterinarian. A creoline of iodine prophylactic may also be used to prevent the disease from obtaining a foothold in the first place. Place 5 mL creoline in a medicine bottle, and fill with water. Mix well and ensure that each animal gets a teaspoonful per day. This should be done until the young are weaned from the mother.
Tincture of iodine mixed 1 part per thousand in water, can also be used. In both cases, the treatment should begin one week before the birth of the litter. After coccidiosis infections, the hutches should be disinfected with boiling water. Another preventative measure for coccidiosis is a solution of sulfaquinoxaline in their drinking water for one week each month. The same may be used to prevent diarrhea. A weekly does of Terramycin or Neo-Terramycin also prevents diarrhea. (All of these things are available through your veterinarian.)
Abscess
Bloat
Constipation
Diarrhea
Ear Canker
Epilepsy
Eyes, Inflammation of
Fleas
Fractures
Heat Stroke
Hocks, Sore
Mange
Mastitis
Myxomatosis
Rabbit Syphilis
Salivation
Sex Organs, Inflammation of
Snuffles
Teeth, Overgrown
Tularemia
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