Rabies in rabbits - Symptoms and treatment

There are fearsome diseases that, even today, with all the scientific advances with those we have continue to cause fear just by mentioning their name.Among these diseases that scare is rabies and, although it is a condition that everyone knows, there are still doubts about its transmission, forms of infection or treatment.This article by Animals and Pets Online is aimed at explaining what rabies consists of, specifically in rabbits, since this disease is usually referred to, especially dogs, with which the caretakers of these small animals continue to raise doubts.Therefore, if you live with rabbits, you have to keep reading to discover the symptoms of rabies in rabbits and what is the treatment.

What is rage and how is it spread?

Rabies is a viral disease that can affect the central nervous system of any warm-blooded animal.It is especially described in dogs, humans, bovines, bats, equines or cats and It can also affect foxes, raccoons, rabbits or mice.Once the virus enters the body, it can remain for a while at the point of entry, then move through the nerves to the brain , causing encephalitis and starting the clinical picture.The brain moves back to the mouth, specifically to the salivary glands, also following the nerves.But how is rabies spread ? Through saliva , either penetrating through bites, or entering from wounds or mucosa (mouth, nose, eyes).Infection can also occur by inhalation.

The animal affected by rabies will remain asymptomatic for a variable incubation period (which can last for months).Once the symptoms begin it is impossible to avoid death.It is important to know that rabies is very unlikely to occur in rabbits.Thus, we will see its most common symptoms in the next section.

Symptoms of rabies in rabbits

First of all, it is necessary to know that this disease can occur in two presentations: furious rage and paralytic or mute rage.It begins with an initial or prodromic phase that lasts a few days in which the symptoms go to be subtle.The signs of rabies in rabbits according to their modalities are the following:

• Furious rage : when the virus causes encephalitis The first thing that manifests itself is a change in the behavior of the animal.Those who were shy lose their fear, while the affectionate will present hostility and even aggressiveness , which constitutes the most dangerous behavior, since which is attacking and biting how they will be able to infect other animals.The attacks are triggered without any stimulus.This anxiety and aggressiveness can alternate with periods of depression .The sick animal can also have an effect on the facial muscles, which is going to hinder eating and drinking, weakness or seizures.When the disorder paralyzes the respiratory muscles, the animal dies.
• Paralytic or dumb rage : Affected animals appear depressed and strangely docile .In these cases, paralysis in the face, throat and neck is observed, the mouth appears open and the tongue hangs.The animal is unable to swallow saliva or feed.Therefore, it is observed that the rabbit constantly drools.In addition, paralysis can affect the hind legs, extending to the rest of the body and eventually causing coma and death.Sometimes paralysis is the only symptom of rabies in rabbits.

Sometimes the animal bites at the point of entry of the virus.It must be known that, first, once one of these symptoms manifests, death is inevitable , in fact , rabies, and also rabies in rabbits, is not treated.Second, sometimes the animal does not even develop t All the clinical picture, but it dies directly, so that, apparently, the rabbit dies suddenly..

Rabies treatment in rabbits

Animals in those who confirm the diagnosis of rabies are not treated , firstly because there are no drugs that eliminate viruses and, also, because rabies is a disease that can be transmitted to humans (it is a zoonosis), so that sick animals that can spread it are euthanized and it is mandatory to report the case to the corresponding authorities.Although in Europe it is considered an eradicated disease, in Asia and Africa rabies is responsible for thousands of deaths of people every year, mainly infected by dog ​​bites, in countries where there are no vaccination or hygiene programs (deep cleaning of the bite can prevent the development of rabies), nor can the population access prophylaxis after the bite for its prohibitive price compared to their salaries.In America, it is considered a controlled disease.Therefore, the only way to combat rabies is prevention through vaccination.In rabbits, is not usually vaccinated for the following reasons:

• Rabies is very unlikely in rabbits .Your contagion, as we say , it is produced by bite and it is difficult for a rabbit to survive the attack of a predator, therefore, it will not develop the disease.
• Our rabbits usually live indoors or have controlled access to the outside, so it is very difficult for them to be bitten by other animals, which is why their vaccines considered mandatory are only against myxomatosis and hemorrhagic fever, since these conditions could be contracted even while living indoors.
• Rabies vaccine in rabbits could cause side effects that, although the disease is not widespread in these animals, there is no reason to cause.With vaccines, as with any medication, you should always assess the pros and the cons.

For all these reasons, it is not mandatory to vaccinate co nejos.

What to do in case of rabies in rabbits?

If, despite the improbability, we suspect that our rabbit may have rabies, we should go to our veterinarian , since it is who should confirm or refute the diagnosis.rabies in a rabbit, the veterinarian should inform the competent authorities and sacrifice the animal.We should consult the measures to be taken if we have other animals at home.If the rabbit had bitten us, in addition to thoroughly washing the wound using soap and water, We will have to go to the emergency department to administer prophylactic measures.These recommendations are especially relevant in areas where rabies is endemic.In Europe and America it would be very rare for a contagion to occur.

This article is merely informative, in Animals and Pets Online we have no power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis.We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in the event that you present any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Rabies in rabbits-Symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our Viric Diseases section.