• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.321-323
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• 2014

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a microsporidian parasite commonly found in rabbits that can infect humans, causing encephalitozoonosis. The prevalence of encephalitozoonosis is not well documented, even when many clinics suspect pet rabbits as being highly infected. This study investigated the seropositivity of E. cuniculi using ELISA. The examination of 186 rabbits using ELISA showed that 22.6% (42/186) were seropositive against E. cuniculi. In analysis with healthy status, all 42 seropositive sera were collected from clinically normal rabbits. Moreover, the gender and age of pet rabbits did not have anysignificant effect on E. cuniculi infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to describe the seroprevalence of E. cuniculi in pet rabbits and suggests that pet rabbits could act as an important reservoir of encephalitozoonosis for both pet animals and humans in Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.88-94
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• 2024

Pet rabbits are affected by the highly contagious ectoparasite Psoroptes (P.) ovis, which carries significant economic implications for the global rabbit industry. Accurate identification of the mite species remains essential to implement effective treatment and control strategies. Two approximately one-year-old female pet rabbits were admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Chungbuk National University due to excessive scratching of the ears and the presence of waxy debris within the ear canals. Mites were isolated from the waxy debris extracted from the ear canals and subsequently identified as Psoroptes spp. through microscopic examination. Species confirmation was achieved through mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene analysis. The analysis revealed the mites to be P. ovis based on cox1 gene sequences. The deposited GenBank accession numbers for these sequences are OR985022 and OR985023. This represents the first report of mitochondrial cox1 gene sequences of P. ovis isolated from pet rabbits in South Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.186-188
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• 2013

This study investigated the prevalence of ectoparasite infestations in the pet rabbits of Daejeon area, Korea. The authors used tape strip test, hair coat combing and otoscopy for diagnosis. Only three species were detected. Cheyletiella parasitovorax was found in 152/251 rabbits (60.6%), Psoroptes cuniculi was found in 7/251 rabbits (2.8%) and Ornithonyssus bacoti was found in 5/251 rabbits (1.9%). C parasitovorax is the highest prevalence among the three species. Co-infection of C. parasitovorax with P. cuniculi was found in 3/251(1.2%). Co-infection of C. parasitovorax with O. bacoti was found in 5/251(1.9%). This study is the first large scale survey of C. parasitovorax, P. cuniculi and O. bacoti in the pet rabbits of Daejeon area, Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.622-624
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• 2009

Psoroptic mites can cause severe pruritic otitis externa with crusts in rabbits. In this case report, three rabbits with a psoroptic mite infestation were treated with a formulation containing 10% imidacloprid and 50% permethrin at a dose of 0.4 ml regardless of body weight. One week after treatment, the rabbits showed mild pruritus with no crusts, mites or eggs. Four weeks after treatment, there were no clinical signs, mites or eggs observed in the rabbits. The rabbits were treated successfully with this combination without adverse reactions for 8 weeks after treatment. This case report suggests that a single topical application of a combination of imidacloprid and permethrin may be an effective and practical treatment for psoroptic mite infestations in pet rabbits.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.212-214
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• 2015

Encephalitoozoon cuniculi is an obligate intracellular microsporidian parasite commonly found in rabbits, causing encephalitozoonosis. This organism can also infect a wide range of hosts including humans, which is known to cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals. In this case, four rabbits presented with head tilt and nystagmus were diagnosed for E. cuniculi infection using ELISA. The rabbits were treated with fenbendazole for 4 weeks and therapeutic success was evaluated by assessing the neurological symptoms. Three out of 4 rabbits showed improved health condition 3 to 5 days after treatment, but one rabbit showed persistent anorexia and head tilt after treatment and then died after 10 days. This report is the first to investigate the therapeutic response of fenbendazole for rabbit encephalitozoonosis in Korea, and suggests that pet rabbits may serve as potential E. cuniculi reservoirs for both pet animals and humans.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.474-482
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• 2012

Elongation of cheek teeth roots in pet rabbits is very common, and is associated with malocclusion followed by reduced appetite, salivation, periapical abscess, and epiphora. Conservative methods including medication, drainage, irrigation, tooth trimming, intraoral and extraoral extraction, surgical treatment of periapical abscessation, and diet control have been adapted as the only treatments to resolve elongation of teeth roots. However, remaining challenges include the long-term period of cure and recurrence. This study was performed to investigate the possibility of nonvital pulp therapy on elongation of the mandibular cheek teeth roots in pet rabbits. Thirty-one pet rabbits with dental problems due to root elongation were submitted. Ten pet rabbits among them were treated by nonvital pulp therapy procedures (group A), while the others were treated by conservative methods (group B). Appetite improved within 1-5 days after nonvital pulp therapy and the treatment was discontinued 1 month postoperatively in group A. Abscess occurred in another site not treated with nonvital pulp therapy in only two rabbits. Growth of the mandibular cheek teeth treated with nonvital pulp therapy stopped, resulting in malocclusion, intraoral inflammation from the enamel spur, and abscess of the teeth roots. In the group B rabbits treated with conservative therapy, partial drainage, long term medication, recurrent oral trimming and control of repeated oral inflammation occurred. Consequently, buccotomy or tooth extraction was performed in group B. Owners were satisfied with nonvital pulp therapy preventing dental root abscess and repeated troubles including inflammation and malocclusion and reduction of the treatment period. These results suggest that nonvital pulp therapy can be performed on pet rabbits with elongation of mandibular cheek teeth roots.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.312-314
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• 2007

Cheyletiellosis is a very common infestation in pet rabbits that causes dermatosis with pruritus and scale. In this study, thirty two rabbits with cheyletiellosis were treated with a single dermal application of a formulation containing imidacloprid 10% (w/v) and moxidectin 1% (w/v) at a dose 0.4 ml. The therapeutic effects of the formulation were 100% at 4, 8 and 12 weeks without adverse reactions. This suggests that a formulation containing imidacloprid and moxidectin is an effective treatment for cheyletiellosis in rabbits.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.600-602
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• 2009

Ornithonyssus bacoti or so-called tropical rat mite has a wide host range which includes wild rodents and small mammals. The mite is known to bite humans and cause irritation. But the case reports are few in pet rabbits. Two Lionhead rabbits (Oryctologus cuniculus) were referred to the local animal hospital, and many mites were detected on the body. Mites were identified as O. bacoti by the scanning electron microscopical study. This communication describes the first record of pet rabbits affected with O. bacoti in Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.625-627
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• 2009

Treponematosis, called rabbit syphilis, is an infectious disease caused by Treponema cuniculi in rabbits. In this case report, five rabbits were presented with severe crusts in lips, genitalia and nose. Skin scrapings and fungal test were negative. Human syphilis antibody test was positive. The rabbits were treated with penicillin and chloramphenicol for 3 weeks and the crusts were significantly decreased from 5 to 7 days after treatment. No crusts were evident in the rabbits 3 weeks after treatment. These rabbits were cases of treponematosis which showed a favorable therapeutic response by penicillin and chloramphenicol.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.112-114
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• 2008

The fur mite is a highly contagious zoonotic mite that causes skin disorders in rabbits. In this case report, four rabbits with a fur mite infestation were treated with a single dermal application of permethrin (65%) at a dose of 0.1 ml. All the rabbits were treated successfully with permethrin without any adverse reactions at 8 weeks after treatment. This suggests that permethrin is an effective treatment for fur mite infestations in rabbits.