I. Etiology of bronchitis in rabbits
Cold stimulation , mechanical and chemical stimulation is the main cause of primary bronchitis in rabbits. Cold stimulation can lead to a decline in the body’s resistance, especially the defense ability of the respiratory mucosa. In this case, the bacteria in the respiratory tract of the rabbit take the opportunity to multiply and cause acute bronchitis in the rabbit. Mechanical and chemical stimuli include: inhalation of crushed feed, flying dust, mold spores, pollen, toxic gas or swallowing, etc., these conditions may stimulate the rabbit’s bronchial mucosa and cause inflammation. In addition, rabbit laryngitis, bronchitis and other diseases are often prone to secondary bronchitis.
Second, the clinical symptoms of bronchitis in rabbits
In the case of bronchitis in rabbits, there will be depression, loss of appetite, and a slight increase in body temperature. Symptoms such as general fatigue. At the same time, there are the following symptoms: a dry and painful cough in the early stage of the disease, and then gradually transformed into a long wet cough with the increase of inflammatory exudates. Due to congestion and swelling of the bronchial mucosa and increased secretion, the bronchial lumen is narrowed and breathing is difficult. Serous nasal discharge at the beginning of the disease, mucous or purulent nasal discharge later, and more when coughing. On chest auscultation, alveolar breath sounds were enhanced, and dry and moist rales were heard. Chronic bronchitis is mainly manifested as persistent cough, and cough mostly after exercise, eating or when the temperature is cold.
3. Differential diagnosis of rabbit bronchitis
1. Bronchitis Discrimination of Inflammation and Cold
Both bronchitis and cold in rabbits are easy to develop when the temperature drops sharply, and both show symptoms such as increased body temperature, lack of energy, loss of appetite, runny nose, cough and other symptoms. However, most of the rabbit colds are watery nasal fluid, and the cough symptoms are relatively few.
2. Identification of Bronchitis and Pneumonia
Both bronchitis and pneumonia in rabbits will have symptoms such as lack of energy, loss of appetite, elevated body temperature, runny nose and cough.
IV. Prevention and treatment of bronchitis in rabbits
Prevention measures : Usually pay attention to strengthen the feeding and management of rabbits, choose nutritious, easy-to-digest and palatable feeds to feed rabbits to enhance their physique and improve their disease resistance. Keep the rabbit house well-lit, well-ventilated, and at the right temperature.
Therapeutic measures:
1. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory: use antibiotics for sick rabbits, such as intramuscular injection of penicillin or streptomycin. Instructed to carry out injection; intramuscular injection or subcutaneous injection of beilimycin injection to the sick rabbits, each time according to the standard amount of 5-25 mg per kg body weight, injected once a day; or intramuscular injection of calcium sulfate into the sick rabbits Namycin injection, each time according to the standard dose of 10 to 20 mg per kg body weight, twice a day for 3 to 5 consecutive days. In addition, sulfonamides can also be used for treatment. The sick rabbits are injected intramuscularly with 10% synergistic sulfadiazine sodium injection 2-4ml, once a day for 3 consecutive days.
2. Expectorant and relieve cough: If the sick rabbit coughs frequently but the secretion is not much, you can use analgesic and antitussive to relieve the cough. The commonly used drugs are codeine phosphate. The method of administration is: per kg body weight 22ml, orally, orally 2 or 3 times a day, for 2 to 3 days; or use Kebiqing to relieve cough in sick rabbits, orally 10 to 20 ml each time, and feed 2 times a day for 3 days. If there is a lot of phlegm in the sick rabbit, ammonium chloride can be used to help it relieve, and each time the sick rabbit takes 0.15-0.3g, 3 times a day, for 3-5 days.
3. Treatment with traditional Chinese medicine: The sick rabbits with bronchitis were given Yinqiaojiedu tablets 3 times a day, 2 tablets each time.
