Pasteurella

-Pasteurella *Snuffles*-

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 .

It has 2 stages Dormant Carrier and Active Infection

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.

ONCE SNUFFLES BECOMES ACTIVE it is a terminal cull. 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.

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.

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 Springer August 2020Comparative Clinical Pathology 29(6) DOI:10.1007/s00580-020-03115-x