Changes

Clinical signs of dacryocystitis include a milky discolouration of the precorneal tear film, epiphora, crust formation along the affected eyelid margins and a caseous discharge from the nostril. The condition can be unilateral or bilateral. The clinician may have to apply digital pressure on the lacrimal sac to observe a milky discharge from the lacrimal punctum. Keratitis and conjunctivitis are sometimes observed. A white crust on medial canthus is a frequent early clinical sign.

Clinical signs of dacryocystitis include a milky discolouration of the precorneal tear film, epiphora, crust formation along the affected eyelid margins and a caseous discharge from the nostril. The condition can be unilateral or bilateral. The clinician may have to apply digital pressure on the lacrimal sac to observe a milky discharge from the lacrimal punctum. Keratitis and conjunctivitis are sometimes observed. A white crust on medial canthus is a frequent early clinical sign.

==Aetiology==

==Aetiology==

The prime agent of aetiological significance is [[Cheek Teeth Malocclusion – Rabbit|dental malocclusion]]. The constant growth of the teeth combined with the low bone density of the rabbit skull results in the migration of the roots of the teeth leading to:

The prime agent of aetiological significance is [[Cheek Teeth Malocclusion – Rabbit|dental malocclusion]]. The constant growth of the teeth combined with the low bone density of the rabbit skull results in the migration of the roots of the teeth leading to:

A survey conducted by Leo Laboratories in 1994 yielded:

A survey conducted by Leo Laboratories in 1994 yielded:

#Staphyloccus spp.  

#''Staphyloccus'' spp. - non-haemolytic, 17 isolates; haemolytic coagulase -ve, 10 isolates; haemolytic coagulase +ve, 5 isolates.

-non-haemolytic, 17 isolates;  

#''Streptococcus'' spp. - non-haemolytic, 4 isolates; alpha-haemolytic, 2 isolates

-haemolytic coagulase -ve, 10 isolates;

#''Pasteurella'' spp. - Pasteurella aerogenes 2 isolates, Pasteurella multocida 3 isolates, unidentified Pasteurella spp. 2 isolates,

#''Bacillus'' spp. - 7 isolates,  

#Streptococcus spp.  

-non-haemolytic, 4 isolates;

-alpha-haemolytic, 2 isolates

#''Corynebacterium'' spp. - 5 isolates,  

#Pasteurella spp.  

#''Enterobacter'' spp. - 3 isolates

-Pasteurella aerogenes 2 isolates,

-Pasteurella multocida 3 isolates,

#''E coli'' - (non-haemolytic) 3 isolates  

#Bacillus spp. 7 isolates,  

#''Pseudomonas'' spp. - Pseudomonas vesicularis 2 isolates, unidentified Pseudomonas spp. 1 isolate,  

#Corynebacterium spp. 5 isolates,

#''Branhamella'' spp. - one isolate

#Enterobacter spp. 3 isolates

#''Proteus'' spp. - one isolate

#E coli (non-haemolytic) 3 isolates

#''Acinetobacter junii'' - one isolate

 

 

 

 

 

#Acinetobacter junii one isolate

#No isolates were detected in 12 specimens.  

#No isolates were detected in 12 specimens.  

As well as dental disorders, a triggering factor for the establishment and persistence of infection is thought to be the ammonia produced either by the degenera­tion of urinary urea in a poorly absorptive litter (Okerman 1988) or from a pet maintained on an imbalanced (high protein) diet (Jenkins 1991). I always counsel the owners of affected animals to attend to hygiene and diet simultaneously. Peat moss /Turf mould is recommended as hutch litter due to its ability to absorb the ammonia produced by the decomposition of urinary urea.

As well as dental disorders, a triggering factor for the establishment and persistence of infection is thought to be the ammonia produced either by the degenera­tion of urinary urea in a poorly absorptive litter (Okerman 1988) or from a pet maintained on an imbalanced (high protein) diet (Jenkins 1991). I always counsel the owners of affected animals to attend to hygiene and diet simultaneously. Peat moss /Turf mould is recommended as hutch litter due to its ability to absorb the ammonia produced by the decomposition of urinary urea.