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CHAPTER 10 – Protozoal Diseases

1994 
Publisher Summary This chapter discusses protozoal diseases in rabbits. The most important protozoa that infect rabbits are the coccidia. Coccidiosis is a major disease of rabbits and is caused by the members of the genus Eimeria. Many species of Eimeria can infect members of the genera Oryctolagus, Sylvilagus, and Lepus. One species, Eimeria stiedae, parasitizes the liver, whereas there are several species that infect different levels of the intestinal tract. Most infections are caused by two or more species. Many rabbits infected with E. stiedae show no clinical signs. In heavily infected rabbits, signs noted are because of the interference of hepatic function and blockage of bile ducts. The rabbits may become anorectic and debilitated. Diarrhea, especially in the terminal stages of the disease, or constipation may be noted. The clinical signs exhibited by rabbits infected with intestinal coccidiosis vary considerably, depending on the age of the animal, relative susceptibility, degree of infection, and the causative organism or organisms. There may be varying degrees of diarrhea, ranging from the intermittent type to profuse watery feces admixed with mucus and blood. Animals may be predisposed to the development of intestinal intussusception. The animals show intense thirst, and deaths are attributed to dehydration and secondary bacterial infection. With very heavy primary infections, the rabbits may die before oocysts appear in the feces.
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