Health monitoring of purpose bred laboratory rabbits in Sweden: Major findings

Abstract

Post-mortem examinations were performed on groups of 12 rabbits from nine colonies. The most frequent pathological changes found were chronic inflammatory processes in lungs and intestines. Bordetella bronchiseptica was frequently isolated and Pasteurella spp. were not observed. Most cases of enteritis were associated with Eimeria spp., but Trichomonas spp. and Coronaviruses were also noticed. The pinworm Passalums ambiguus was found in seven groups and the nematode Trichostrongylus retortaeformis in one. Rabbits from five colonies evidenced hepatic coccidiosis. Among ectoparasites, Cheyletiellaparasitivorax was found in seven groups and Listrophorus gibbus in four. The ear mite Psoroptes cuniculii was recorded in two groups. One rabbit exhibited Encephalitozoon cum'culi antibodies and another one Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. Among other findings, the ascending aorta and are displayed calcified plaques in eight rabbits from three colonies and the appendiceal lymphoid tissues evidenced multinucleated giant cells in adult rabbits of three groups. A good correlation was found between the health of the rabbits and the hygienic standards at the colonies.