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Snuffles

Here is the article

Snuffles caused by pasturella multocida.
(Remember too that this bacterium can also cause abscesses, tear duct nfections, mastitis, 'wry neck', uterine infection and pneumonia. So this reply is refering only to the upper respiratory tract disease commonly called 'snuffles'.)
This bacterium lives in the nose and sinuses of rabbits and it is probable that upto 80% of domestic rabbits carry this bacterium. The bacterium can also travel via the bloodstream to other parts of the body.
Most strains of he bacterium have evolved not to cause disease in the host rabbit BUT, if the levels of bacteria becomes 'overloaded' for any reason, or if the rabbit picks up a more virulent form of the bacterium, then the rabbit immune system can't cope and 'snuffles' and related infections are the result. One rabbit sneezing out bacteria will quickly 'overload' the immune system of other rabbits in the shed and so the bacteria multiply out of control and the symptoms of snuffles spread.

Having said that, snuffles can be 'acute' with very clear and heavy symptoms which cause rabbits to become very ill, very fast. It can also be 'chronic', with a rabbit sneezing occasionally and not becoming noticiably ill. In this case, the disease may spread very slowly and may not affect all the animals in the shed. The levels of bacteria do not reach danger levels fast and some animals will cope with the slightly increased levels through the action of their immune system. There may be a genetic effect here, or perhaps very healthy, non-stressed animals are better able to see off this problem. There may also be some natural immumity built up within a group of rabbits who are all carriers of a particular strain of the bacteruium. This may be why a new rabbit brought into the group may be more susceptable to becoming ill or may cause problems itself by bringing in a new strain......

As a bacterium, it ought to be simple to zap the problem with antibiotic drugs. BUT the rabbit gut is so sensitive to the loss of 'good bacteria' that an antibiotic strong enough to kill the pasturella will also kill the rabbit. Antibiotics like Baytrill will, in most cases, hold the worst symptoms caused by the bacterium at bay. BUT this should not be regarded as a cure. In acute cases, good diet, plenty of fresh air and clean, stress free living areas can also stop the rabbit 'snuffling'. BUT, this lack of symptoms does not mean that the rabbit is cured.

As you can imagine, amongst rabbits kept in fairly large numbers, in a closed environment, this bacterium can cause havoc. A rabbit with the symptoms of snuffles taken to a show can spread the disease very effectively. For these reasons, responsible breeders cull all stock with symptoms of 'snuffles'. Unfortunately, some breeders choose to ignore 'chronic' symptoms in their breeding, or to mask the symptoms with antibiotics.

For people keeping pet rabbits, however, the matter is different, IMO. The yardstick here should always be quality of life and a rabbit with 'chronic' snuffles can live a long, healthy, usually symptom free life. The choice of treatment, either antibiotics or superhealthy lifestyle, is upto the owner and vet. Disinfectants like Virkon can kill the bacterium on hutches and runs etc.
 
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