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Created page with '{{unfinished}} It can be encountered in pet rabbits of all ages, especially if they have been receiving doses of antibiotics that include gram-positive organisms in their spectru…'
{{unfinished}}
It can be encountered in pet rabbits of all ages, especially if they have been receiving doses of antibiotics that include gram-positive organisms in their spectrum of activity (Morisse 1978). This can be a particular problem if animals from different sources are mixed together on acquisition, especially in conditions of indifferent hygiene. The quality of the diet (especially the protein/cellulose ratio) and of the drinking water is also of aetiological importance. The levels of ''E. coli'' in the intestinal lumen of a rabbit rises directly in proportion to infestation with ''Eimeria'' species (coccidians).

===Clinical Signs===
*profuse diarrhoea
*fur-chewing
*anorexia

===Treatment===
Treatment is usually unrewarding.
*Oral administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics with known activity against gram-negative organisms, including ''E. coli''.
*Antispasmolytic agents such as hysocine (Buscopan Compositum; Boehringer Ingelheim 1 mg per kilogram I/M or S/C once only or daily until the desired results are obtained)
*Fluids. Okerman (1994 p 37) warns that finding ''E. coli'' in large numbers merely reflects the ability of the organism to reproduce post-mortem and does not necessarily prove the diagnosis.

[[Category:Enteropathies_-_Rabbit]]
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