The effect of the sex, age, and breed of farmed rabbits and the choice of management system on the extensity and intensity of Eimeria infection

Abstract

Background and Aim: The most common causes of loss and diarrhea in rabbit farming are nutritional errors and coccidiosis. The infection can spread rapidly throughout a breeding area, reducing the rabbit population, and causing heavy losses. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of the system of animal management on the extensity and intensity of infection by Eimeria of farmed rabbits, together with the effect of the sex, age, and breed of the rabbits themselves. Materials and Methods: The study included 91 rabbits (Flemish Giant, New Zealand White, French Lope, Vienna Blue, California White, and mixed breed) from eight domestic (small-scale) farms from Poland. The prevalence and intensity of coccidial infection were determined by the Willis-Schlaf and McMaster coprological methods. The species were determined based on oocyst morphology: Their shape, color, form index, the presence or absence of micropyle and cap, and the presence or absence of residual, polar, and Stiedé bodies. Results: Seven species of Eimeria were isolated from the tested rabbits: Eimeria magna, Eimeria media, Eimeria perforans, Eimeria stiedae, Eimeria coecicola, Eimeria exigua, and Eimeria irresidua. Most infections were found to be of relatively low intensity. No significant differences in the extensity of Eimeria protozoan infection were observed with regard to sex. However, rabbit age had a significant influence on the extensity of infection by E. magna and of Eimerian protozoans combined. The greatest extensity was observed in rabbits aged below 6 months. For all species of Eimeria, greater extensity was observed among rabbits kept in groups than individually. The system of rabbit management also had a significant influence on the intensity of infection. Those kept in groups demonstrated a significantly higher mean intensity of infection of E. magna and all Eimeria species combined than those kept individually. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that Eimeria protozoa are a common occurrence on small-scale rabbit farms. As coccidiosis treatment does not always give good results, prevention is very important in the fight against this disease. It is necessary to develop a new preventive paradigm that pays special attention to the factors that promote the spread and development of infection in domestic (small-scale) farms from Poland. For example, it would be recommended to use large, dry, bright rooms with access to the sun, as these are conducive to preventing the occurrence of coccidia infections.

Deaths Due to Mixed Infections with Passalurus ambiguus, Eimeria spp. and Cyniclomyces guttulatus in an Industrial Rabbit Farm in Greece

“…In contrast, suckling kittens during their first 20 days of age are rarely infected with coccidia [82]. One study found a higher intensity and extensity of coccidia invasion in rabbits kept in groups, like the rabbits in the present case, compared to rabbits housed individually [83]. Coccidiosis outbreaks have also been associated with an increase in Escherichia coli [84], and other intestinal bacterial infections [85] in rabbits.…”

The effects of dietary supplementation of common mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) meal on growth and excreted Eimeria spp. oocysts incidence in Dwarf Lop rabbit kits

“…At the end of the experimental period (112-day old rabbits), rabbits of the group E showed significantly lower OPG count as compared to those in the C group (P <0.01); this decrease can be attributed to the anticoccidial effect of medicinal plant Artemisia vulgaris included in the experimental pelleted diet. Pilarczyk et al (2020) reported age effect of rabbits on the Eimeria infection. In generally it can be stated that rabbit at the age of 1 to 3 months are most susceptible to the disease (Pakandl et Hlásková, 2007;Papeschi et al, 2013).…”

Coccidiosis: A Parasitic Disease of Significant Importance in Rabbits

“…It should be noted that the presence of oocysts in fecal samples does not confirm the presence of clinical disease. It has been reported that rabbits with high-intensity infection showed no clinical symptoms of coccidiosis (Pilarczyk et al, 2020). The induction of symptoms may depend on the virulence and pathogenicity of the infecting Eimeria spp.…”

“…Prevention and control of coccidiosis in rabbits are achieved through careful management, enhancing rabbits' immunity, vaccination, and using synthetic anticoccidial drugs. Housing in large, dry, sunny, and disinfected rooms is very essential to fight coccidial infection (Pilarczyk et al, 2020). Although synthetic anticoccidials were effective, their hazardous use in the field resulted in some drawbacks.…”