Subdermatitis (colloquially corns) is often found in adults of various species. Various factors influence the appearance of wounds. Pododermatitis in rabbits is difficult, and treatment is even more difficult. Those wishing to engage in the breeding of this fur-bearing beast need to know how to avoid infection of pets and to properly provide them with medical care.
Factors affecting the formation of corns
The appearance of wounds on the feet of rabbits is affected not only by fillers for cells, but by a number of factors. These include:
- Lack of hair on the legs of the animal. There is no additional protection against skin abrasion.
- Great weight of the individual. The load on the paws leads to the formation of ulcers.
- Long claws that deform the foot. An improperly formed tread injures the skin of the paw.
- Lack of motor activity. Animals that move little are more prone to paw wounds.
- The age of the individual. In older individuals, the skin becomes thinner and more prone to injury.
- Improper animal care. Normal unsanitary conditions and improper care lead to diseases of animal limbs.
First signs of the disease
Peeling of the skin of a rabbit's paws is the first sign of pododermatitis. At the next stage, the wool on the legs begins to fall out. And there are corns in the rabbit. Then ulcers appear that bleed. Staphylococcus or fungus enters an open wound. The animal's appetite disappears, it becomes lethargic and does not rise. If emergency assistance is not provided, the animal may die.
Stages of the disease
Subdermatitis is purulent and aseptic. The disease develops in stages.
- The initial stage is aseptic pododermatitis in rabbits. Treatment should begin at the stage of the first signs of the disease.
- Superficial infection is characterized by peeling. Timely prescribed treatment ends with a quick recovery.
- Superficial wound infection. At this stage, an infection gets into the wound, and suppuration appears under the skin. Urgent treatment is needed. As a rule, at this stage the animal is healed.
- Complete infection of the wound. Ulcers corrode the skin and soft tissues. At this stage, surgery is indispensable. The outlook for the animal is positive.
- Deep infection. In this case, tendons and skeletal system are affected. The last and most neglected stage. As a rule, it is possible to save the animal in rare cases.
Treatment of pododermatitis
A common disease is pododermatitis in rabbits, its treatment begins at the stage of the appearance of peeling and diaper rash. Contact your veterinarian immediately. As a rule, an antibiotic, ointment and regular dressing are prescribed immediately. Treatment is carried out with the help of medicines:
- Antiseptics. Disinfection of wounds is carried out using antiseptics. Paws are treated with hydrogen peroxide, furatsilinom or chlorhexidine. Washing is carried out several times a day until the signs of the disease completely disappear. If the rabbit's foot is rotten, the pus is removed using tincture of iodine (2%). Iodine also has a drying effect.
- Ointments. For the treatment of pododermatitis, wound healing ointments for open wounds are used, the quick effect of which is obvious. After cleaning the wound, Vishnevsky ointment, zinc ointment (10%), and lead ointment are used. The affected areas are smeared with a thin layer. In the evening, you can use "Solcoseryl" or "Levomekol" as an emollient and healing agent. Ointment "Levomekol" - what is it used for? According to the instructions, Levomekol is an antimicrobial and wound healing drug. It copes with various infections, including staphylococci. It even disinfects purulent wounds.
- The use of special dressings is justified. Synthetic cotton wool is used for them, which does not roll. The rabbit is clamped under the arm with its head down. Ointment is impregnated with thin gauze flaps with synthetic cotton inside and fill the wound with them. Fasten with a gauze bandage. The foot is wrapped, capturing a rather large area before the fold. This is necessary so that the bandage does not fall. Bandages are changed 2-3 times a day.
- Powders and sprays. It is good to disinfect open wounds with a powder or spray. They are easy to apply and tactile contact with painful skin can be avoided, which will not deliver additional painful sensations to the animal. Xidicol rabbit spray has proven its worth in rabbits. The composition of the spray includes the antibiotic chloramphenicol - a broad-spectrum drug. A popular drug in veterinary medicine. The wounds of the animal are treated with a spray 2 times a day until completely cured. Used in combination with other drugs for open wounds. The quick effect of Xidicol is achieved by instant absorption of the drug. Small particles of spray fall even in the most inaccessible places. For bleeding wounds, it is good to use Dermatol. Powder quickly and painlessly penetrates the wound, disinfecting and drying it.
- Antibiotics. If you have to treat a neglected case, then you can not do without the use of antibiotics. Often used a wide range of drugs: Ceftriaxone, Baytril, Linkomycin.
To avoid re-infection, to protect the paws from damage and to prevent licking of preparations to animals, bandages are applied to the paws. They are changed daily, and in advanced cases up to 3 times a day.
In especially advanced cases, the animal is best euthanized. Firstly, this will save him from torment, and secondly, from disability. Life is saved only to especially valuable breeds, if there is economic benefit in this.
How flooring affects the formation of pododermatitis
Pododermatitis in rabbits is difficult and painful - treatment is a troublesome and costly process. Often animals die without coping with the disease. The owner's task is to prevent the appearance of corns in animals and protect them from a long illness, and to save themselves from unnecessary and unnecessary trouble.
One of the main factors provoking the appearance of the disease is the hard surface of the cell where the animals are kept. Irregular cleaning, flooring changes and hard floors cause open wounds. The ideal flooring is a thick layer of straw, which must be changed regularly. If it is not possible to make a flooring from straw, a ladder for rabbits from pododermatitis is installed in the cage.
What is the construction of the ladder
A rabbit ladder is often a plastic or wooden ladder with a ribbed or mesh surface. Installed at the bottom of the cell. It works on the principle of a massager - an uneven surface prevents venous blood from stagnating in the legs of an animal, and prevents the appearance of ulcers and corns. Among other things, constant physical activity has a fat-burning effect, which is important for the rabbit's body.
Prevention of Pododermatitis
The main goal of the breeder’s breeder is to provide all the necessary conditions for a comfortable pet stay. Subdermatitis in rabbits and treatment of this disease will not overshadow the life of the breeder, if you follow the simple rules of keeping these animals.
You must select the correct litter. The flooring must be stiff and absorb moisture well. In addition to straw, various types of industrial granules can be used. Absorbent granules mix well with sawdust - you get the perfect coating.
Never use different carpets, stone, hard surfaces. These types of coatings will inevitably lead to paw disease. Also, you can not use all types of linoleum and palm fiber litter.
Diet
With food, rabbits should receive all the necessary nutrients and vitamins. The diet should be rich in fiber. It is good to use vegetables, such as carrots, cabbage, in your diet. You must purchase special vitamin supplements designed specifically for these animals.
There should always be clean fresh water in the drinker, but not boiled. She is not very useful for this beast. Also, some experts advise you to purchase special vitamin supplements for your pet that are water-soluble, such supplements can be purchased at veterinary stores.
Hygiene
Cleanliness is the key to health. This slogan of the Soviet era is perfectly suited for keeping rabbits. Moisture, dirt, residues of excrement will inevitably lead to the appearance of various diseases, not only pododermatitis. The cells are cleaned every day.
General cleaning is required once a week. The cell is washed with hot water and soap. To eliminate moisture on the aviary floor, it is good to use cat litter. it is worth making wood flooring on the cage floor. Each time after the general cleaning, in order to prevent the appearance of fungi and staphylococcus, the boards are treated with lime.
Vaccination and quarantine
Young livestock must be vaccinated against all diseases. Animals are vaccinated over the age of 45 days. When purchasing a new livestock, quarantine must be observed. These animals are kept in separate cages for 30–45 days. If no diseases are found, you can plant them in the main livestock. Sick animals isolate.
Prevention using folk methods
If the first signs of pododermatitis appeared on the rabbit's paws, you can use calendula tincture to treat abrasions. Take 1 tablespoon of calendula flowers and steamed with a glass of boiling water. Processed corns several times a day until complete healing.
You can add strawberry leaves, a shepherd’s bag, and plantain leaves to the diet.
If the condition worsens, use wound healing ointments for open wounds, the quick effect of which will not allow the situation to get out of control. Pharmacy products often cope with infections faster and more efficiently. It’s good to have Levomekol ointment on hand. What is it used for - the instruction describes all the indications.
Breeding rabbits is an interesting, but troublesome occupation. If you create all the necessary conditions for the animals, properly care and treat, monitor the smallest changes in behavior and nutrition, you can get a healthy full-fledged livestock that will become the pride of its owner and will not bring additional troubles associated with health and care. If rabbit breeding is a business, then proper care will save on medicines and services of veterinary clinics.