Changes

==Clinical Signs==

==Clinical Signs==

Young rabbits can become infected, but are usually resistant to the disease.

Young rabbits can become infected, but are usually resistant to the disease. Typically, only '''animals older than 8 weeks''' show symptoms of the disease. Peracute or acute disease is usually described, but chronic sub-clinical infections also occur.

 

Typically, only '''animals older than 8 weeks''' show symptoms of the disease.  

 

Peracute or acute disease is usually described, but chronic sub-clinical infections also occur.

'''Peracute disease''': fever and death within 36 hours of its onset.  

'''Peracute disease''': fever and death within 36 hours of its onset.  

RHDV should be suspected when several rabbits die suddenly after a brief period of lethargy and fever. It is more difficult to diagnose in an isolated rabbit.

RHDV should be suspected when several rabbits die suddenly after a brief period of lethargy and fever. It is more difficult to diagnose in an isolated rabbit.

Laboratory tests include: '''PCR''', immunofluorescence, haemagglutination and '''ELISA to identify the virus''' in the liver, blood spleen and other organs.

Laboratory tests include: '''[[PCR]]''', [[immunofluorescence]], [[haemagglutination]] and '''[[ELISA testing|ELISA]] to identify the virus''' in the liver, blood spleen and other organs.

Antibodies can be detected in convalescent rabbits by haemagglutination inhibition or an ELISA.

Antibodies can be detected in convalescent rabbits by haemagglutination inhibition or an ELISA.

'''Post mortem examination''' findings include: rabbit is usually in good condition. There is hepatic necrosis and splenomegaly. The liver is usually pale, and has a fine reticular pattern of necrosis outlining eac lobule. The spleen in usually black and thickened with rounded edges. The kidneys may be very dark brown. Haemorrhages in the lungs, trachea and thymus are common, and petechiae may be found on the serosal membranes or viscera. Infarctions may be seen in most organs.

'''Post mortem examination''' findings include:  

The rabbit is usually in good condition. There is hepatic necrosis and splenomegaly. The liver is usually pale, and has a fine reticular pattern of necrosis outlining each lobule. The spleen in usually black and thickened with rounded edges. The kidneys may be very dark brown. Haemorrhages in the lungs, trachea and thymus are common, and petechiae may be found on the serosal membranes or viscera. Infarctions may be seen in most organs.

'''Differential diagnoses''' include:

'''Differential diagnoses''' include:

 

:Acute [[Pasteurellosis - R|pasteurellosis]]

Acute pasteurellosis

:Atypical [[myxomatosis]]

 

:Poisoning

Atypical myxomatosis

:Heat exhaustion

 

:Enterotoxaemia due to [[Colibacillosis - Rabbit|''E. coli'']] or [[Clostridial Diseases - Rabbit|''Clostridium'' spp]]

Poisoning

 

Heat exhaustion

 

Enterotoxaemia due to ''E. coli'' or ''Clostridium'' spp

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

Instead, the disease is controlled in domesticated rabbits with '''biosecurity measures''' including disinfection and sanitation, the maintenance of closed colonies, and most importantly, '''vaccination'''.

Instead, the disease is controlled in domesticated rabbits with '''biosecurity measures''' including disinfection and sanitation, the maintenance of closed colonies, and most importantly, '''vaccination'''.

It is generally recommended that all animals should be vaccinated, even if the rabbit is kept indoors, as spread from fomites is possible. More information on the vaccine available in the UK can be found [[Vaccinations for Rabbits|here]].

It is generally recommended that all animals should be vaccinated, even if the rabbit is kept indoors, as spread from fomites is possible. More information on the vaccine available in the UK can be found at [[Vaccinations for Rabbits|vaccination for rabbits]].

{{Learning

{{Learning

|flashcards = [[Rabbit Medicine Q&A 09]]

|flashcards = [[Rabbit Medicine and Surgery Q&A 09]]

}}

}}

Merck and Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual''' ''Merial''

Merck and Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual''' ''Merial''

{{review}}

{{review}}

[[Category:Caliciviridae]] [[Category:Rabbit_Viruses]] [[Category:Expert_Review]]

[[Category:Caliciviridae]] [[Category:Rabbit_Viruses]] [[Category:Expert_Review - Exotics]]