Difference between revisions of "Pasteurella"

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-Pasteurella *Snuffles*-
=Pasteurella ("Snuffles")=
 
 
==Etiology (cause)==


Snuffles is the common name for *Pasteurella multocida*, a respiratory bacterial infection in rabbits. It presents with thick white or yellow mucus and strained, raspy breathing. There are two forms: Acute and Chronic. Over 80% of rabbits are carriers, as the bacterium can survive in the environment.


==Etiology (Cause)==
* Caused by *Pasteurella multocida*, a Gram-negative bacterium
* Highly prevalent in domestic and wild rabbit populations
* Exists in two stages: Dormant Carrier and Active Infection
** Dormant Carrier: No active symptoms; immune system suppresses bacterial activity
** Active Infection: The rabbit becomes contagious and can develop Acute or Chronic disease


==Clinical Signs==
==Clinical Signs==
* Persistent nasal mucus
 
* Wet yellow-stained noses and paws
* Raspy or strained breathing
* Intermittent sneezing fits
* Sore hocks
* Lethargy and fatigue
* Signs of pain
* In chronic cases, lesions may develop on internal organs, and thick mucus may accumulate in body cavities


==Treatment, Prevention, and Control==
==Treatment, Prevention, and Control==
*There is no on-label treatment for Pasteurella in rabbits.*


==References==
**Off-Label Treatments:**
Snuffles is the street name for Pasteurella , it shows up as a respiratory infection accompanied by thick white/ yellow mucus, raspy strained breathing. there are 2 forms Acute and Chronic. over 80% of rabbits are carries as it lives in the environment .  
* **Draxxin (Tulathromycin)** 
  Appears most effective when administered at the first signs of sneezing or white mucus. Early intervention may eliminate infection within 72 hours. More trials are needed. Pilot study 2017: 
  [Efficacy of Tulathramycin in the Treatment of Respiratory Pasteurollosis in Rabbits, Edrees et al., 2017](https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Efficacy-of-Tulathramycin-in-the-Treatment-of-in-Edrees-Abdellatief/be26b70bdee671eb3a4b0723e1a4a32409aef421) DOI:10.17582/JOURNAL.AAVS/2017/5.12.477.485


It has 2 stages Dormant Carrier and Active Infection
* Barn trials showed ~95% effectiveness with a single dose; symptomatic rabbits received a second dose after 7 days for full clearance.


A carrier does not present with an active infection and is not contagious with an active illness, the Rabbit's immune system are holding it off so it is dormant.
* **Baytril (Enrofloxacin)** 
  Effective for early-onset cases in 2014 trials: 
  [Alternative treatment of serious and mild Pasteurella multocida infection in New Zealand White rabbits, Palócz et al., 2014](https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12917-014-0276-6)  


ONCE SNUFFLES BECOMES ACTIVE it is a terminal cull.
* **β-Glucans** 
If the rabbit is able to survive the acute respiratory infection thru use of therapeutic antibiotics, it Will continue to be contagious with active infection and will spread a stronger infection to neighboring rabbits that they may not be able to fight off. It will then move on to the Chronic snuffles.
  Prophylactic oral administration can protect against naturally acquired infection and extend survival time under higher challenge doses.


The chronic form, Pasteurella moves to the body cavities, and eats away at the organs, while filling the body cavity with thick mucus. Chronic Pasteurella will slowly and painfully kill a rabbit. Rabbits will exhibit one or more of the following signs: persistent mucus drip, wet yellow stained noses and paws, sore hocks, lethargy, getting tired easily, intermittent sneezing fits, signs of pain. When Pasteurella become Chronic it will start to form lesions on the organs.
**Management Notes:**
* Acute infection can be survivable with therapeutic antibiotics, but rabbits remain contagious.
* Chronic infection progresses to internal organ involvement and is often terminal.
* Vaccination provides only variable protection; environmental control and early treatment are critical.


 
==References==
[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235256769_Pasteurellosis_in_Rabbits Pasteurellosis in Rabbits]
* [Pasteurellosis in Rabbits, ResearchGate, 2000](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235256769_Pasteurellosis_in_Rabbits) 
April 2000Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian -North American Edition- 22(4):344-+
* [Pathological findings in a fatal pet rabbit Pasteurellosis, ResearchGate, 2020](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341431114_Pathological_findings_in_a_fatal_pet_rabbit_Pasteurellosis) 
 
* [Pathogenomics insights for understanding Pasteurella multocida adaptation, Hurtado et al., 2020](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1438422120300278)
[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341431114_Pathological_findings_in_a_fatal_pet_rabbit_Pasteurellosis Pathological findings in a fatal pet rabbit Pasteurellosis]
Springer  August 2020Comparative Clinical Pathology 29(6)  DOI:10.1007/s00580-020-03115-x

Latest revision as of 18:42, 17 August 2025

Pasteurella ("Snuffles")[edit | edit source]

Snuffles is the common name for *Pasteurella multocida*, a respiratory bacterial infection in rabbits. It presents with thick white or yellow mucus and strained, raspy breathing. There are two forms: Acute and Chronic. Over 80% of rabbits are carriers, as the bacterium can survive in the environment.

Etiology (Cause)[edit | edit source]

  • Caused by *Pasteurella multocida*, a Gram-negative bacterium
  • Highly prevalent in domestic and wild rabbit populations
  • Exists in two stages: Dormant Carrier and Active Infection
    • Dormant Carrier: No active symptoms; immune system suppresses bacterial activity
    • Active Infection: The rabbit becomes contagious and can develop Acute or Chronic disease

Clinical Signs[edit | edit source]

  • Persistent nasal mucus
  • Wet yellow-stained noses and paws
  • Raspy or strained breathing
  • Intermittent sneezing fits
  • Sore hocks
  • Lethargy and fatigue
  • Signs of pain
  • In chronic cases, lesions may develop on internal organs, and thick mucus may accumulate in body cavities

Treatment, Prevention, and Control[edit | edit source]

  • There is no on-label treatment for Pasteurella in rabbits.*
    • Off-Label Treatments:**
  • **Draxxin (Tulathromycin)**
 Appears most effective when administered at the first signs of sneezing or white mucus. Early intervention may eliminate infection within 72 hours. More trials are needed. Pilot study 2017:  
 [Efficacy of Tulathramycin in the Treatment of Respiratory Pasteurollosis in Rabbits, Edrees et al., 2017](https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Efficacy-of-Tulathramycin-in-the-Treatment-of-in-Edrees-Abdellatief/be26b70bdee671eb3a4b0723e1a4a32409aef421) DOI:10.17582/JOURNAL.AAVS/2017/5.12.477.485
  • Barn trials showed ~95% effectiveness with a single dose; symptomatic rabbits received a second dose after 7 days for full clearance.
  • **Baytril (Enrofloxacin)**
 Effective for early-onset cases in 2014 trials:  
 [Alternative treatment of serious and mild Pasteurella multocida infection in New Zealand White rabbits, Palócz et al., 2014](https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12917-014-0276-6)
  • **β-Glucans**
 Prophylactic oral administration can protect against naturally acquired infection and extend survival time under higher challenge doses.
    • Management Notes:**
  • Acute infection can be survivable with therapeutic antibiotics, but rabbits remain contagious.
  • Chronic infection progresses to internal organ involvement and is often terminal.
  • Vaccination provides only variable protection; environmental control and early treatment are critical.

References[edit | edit source]

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