Pasteurella born illnesses in your pet rabbit may catch you off guard. Be prepared to recognize the signs and consult your vet.

Pasteurella is a type of bacteria that can be caught and shared between many different animals and even humans. Most immune systems can kill pasteurella, but if it grows and spreads, it can cause infections and chronic diseases. Various animals can contract pasteurella, but it's rabbits that tend to suffer the most ill effects when the infection manifests. While rabbits may get skin infections and abscesses, it's respiratory diseases that are most commonly contracted from this bacteria. Because it's highly contagious, it's important to recognize when your pet rabbit might have been infected with pasteurella.

What Is Pasteurella?

The symptoms are easy to notice, but they are also easy to ignore. The rabbit's nose may expel a watery discharge, so you might mistake it for a simple runny nose. But the discharge can thicken into a yellowy mucous that blocks the nasal passages. If you hear your rabbit snoring or wheezing through their nose, they may have contracted a respiratory illness caused by pasteurella. If that is the cause, it could spread to the paws, eyes, or ears from a rabbit's frequent grooming habits. Once it reaches the ears, pus from the bacteria can build up in the inner ear, leading to neurological symptoms, such as involuntary twitching and head movements. It also could spread to the heart and lungs, which is when abscesses begin to appear. Pneumonia, fever and, in extreme cases, death can also result.

If you suspect your rabbit might have contracted pasteurella, go to the vet to have any mucous or discharge tested for the bacteria. These tests can sometimes become complicated if the bacteria is far into the nasal passages or ear canal, because the result may report a false negative. It can be necessary to sedate the animal to get an accurate test. When it's detected, your vet will prescribe some antibiotics to attack the bacteria from the source. Depending on how much it has spread, the antibiotic regimen may have to continue for a long time. It might also be necessary to flush out the nasal cavities.

• Pasteurella can lead to serious health issues if contracted, but it's also completely treatable, especially if it is caught early on. Keep an eye out for these symptoms in your rabbit and consult your vet right away if you think it may have caught a bacterial infection. Apart than rabbits, other animals like mice, hamsters and even dogs and cats are at risk of developing pasteurella related illnesses. If any infected discharge is transferred to your skin, you may also develop a skin rash or infection.

• Visit this website www.evergreenvetclinic.com/rabbit-care for more information on rabbit care in Morgan Hill.