Enteritis, Bloat or Scours

Cause:
UNKNOWN

Symptoms:
Animal stands in hunched position, with ears down and the eyes dull and squinted. The face has a pinched appearance, the body becomes shrunken. The animal grits its teeth, shows intense thirst and sits close to waterer, often whith front feet in crock. Animal may have a profuse diarrhea (very dark with strong odor) or pass clear jelly like or mucus material in their dropping. Some animals are bloated and when shaken, a gurgling sound may be heard in the belly cavity.

Treatment:
BROAD SPECTRUM ANTIBIOTIC. Young rabbits, in particular, are affected with intestinal upsets which may be called diarrhea, enteritis, bloat or scours. The symptoms vary according to the afflictions, however obvious signs are loss of appetite, rough coat, listlessness, dull eyes, loose bowels and mortality.
These disorders or disease are divided according to symptoms into three types and are primarily found in YOUNG rabbits before weaning:

1. Mucoid Enteritits
2. Hemorrhagic Enteritis
3. Diarrheal Enteritits

Mucoid enteritis causes an excretion of clear, jelly-like substance. It can easily be seen under the hutches or on hutch wire of rabbits afflicted. The animal grits its teeth, sits near the water with the front feet in bowl many times, dull eyes and pinched face. Mortality is very high and prevention is in all cases more effective than cure. Treatment is with a broad spectrum antibiotic or Emtryl powder.

Hemorrhagic enteritis is the most common type of enteritis. Its most common sign is a bloody, watery fecal discharge. Again treatment can be best administered by using a broad spectrum antibiotic. It is not thought to be contagious since only some rabbits in a litter will be affected while others are completely healthy.

Diarrheal enteritis is the most common type of enteritis in domestic rabbits. The signs are excessive and watery diarrhea (sometimes dark and foul in odor) usually lasting one to three days. It is often times confused with coccidiosis (some suspicion of the two diseases is being linked) as both have similar symptoms. Enteritis of this type may cause bloat and a gurgling sound may be heard when shaking the rabbit. Best results come by removing water for 24 hours, reducing ration and feeding hay, using a broad spectrum antibiotic until feed intake becomes normal or symptoms disappear. It primarily affects young rabbits and can cause considerable economic loss. Until more information becomes available on the disease it is clear that prevention in alll cases is more effective than cure. Good mangement and sanitation, proper feeding, controling coccidiosis through medicated feeds and sulfas, and giving rabbits the proper housing and comforts, pure air, clean food and water will all help in preventing the disease.
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