| Summary Information |
| Diseases / List of Bacterial Diseases
/ Disease summary |
| Alternative Names |
See also:
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| Disease Agents |
In Rabbits
- In domestic rabbits with bacterial pneumonia, the most commonly
isolated organism is Pasteurella multocida .
However, other organisms, including Bordetella bronchiseptica, Escherichia coli,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Pseudomonas
spp., Staphylococcus aureus,
Staphylococcus
spp., Streptococcus
sp., Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis (Yersinia pseudotuberculosis),
Vibrio fulnificus, Moraxella bovis, and Bacillus
sp. have been isolated. Sometimes two organisms have been isolated
from lungs with lesions of pneumonia (Bordetella bronchiseptica
plus Pasteurella multocida ;
Pasteurella multocida
plus Escherichia coli;
Escherichia coli
plus Bordetella bronchiseptica; Pasteurella multocida
plus Pseudomonas aeruginosa).
(B602.17.w17,
J35.159.w3)
In Ferrets
- Pneumonia is uncommon in ferrets. The bacteria that may cause primary
pneumonia in ferrets include Streptococcus zooepidemicus (B232.6.w6,
B627.14.w14, B628.11.w11),
Streptococcus pneumoniae [detected in mink with penumonia],
groups C and G streptococci
and Gram-negative species. (B627.14.w14,
B631.26.w26,
B602.7.w7)
- Bordetella bronchiseptica and Listeria
monocytogenes have also been found in ferrets with pneumonia.
(B602.7.w7,
B627.14.w14, B631.26.w26)
- Pasteurella pneumotropica is another known primary
pathogen that causes pneumonia in ferrets. (B232.6.w6)
- Bacterial pneumonia is usually secondary to other diseases, such as influenza
(Influenza in Ferrets).
(B232.6.w6,
B602.7.w7 B631.26.w26)
or another disease condition such as cardiomyopathy (Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Ferrets,
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Ferrets).
(B232.6.w6)
- Bacteria that are found in ferrets secondary to other diseases
include:
|
| Infectious
Agent(s |
In Rabbits
In Ferrets
Primary
- Streptococcus zooepidemicus
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Pasteurella pneumotropica
- Bordetella bronchiseptica
- Listeria monocytogenes
Secondary
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| Non-infectious
Agent(s) |
--
|
| Physical
Agent(s) |
--
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| General Description |
Clinical signs
In Rabbits
- Poor exercise tolerance, increased respiratory rate - these
may not be noticed in e.g. hutch-kept rabbits. (B602.17.w17)
- Anorexia and depression may occur in severe cases. (B601.7.w7,
B614.8.w8, J10.36.w1)
- Dyspnoea, cyanosis. (B601.7.w7)
- Note: sometimes no clinical signs are observed before death.
(B614.8.w8, J10.36.w1)
In Ferrets
- Nasal discharge. (B232.6.w6,
B602.7.w7, B627.14.w14, B628.11.w11)
- Dyspnoea, shortness of breath. (B232.6.w6,
B602.7.w7, B628.11.w11)
- Increased abdominal movement associated with breathing. (B232.6.w6,
B601.7.w7, B627.14.w14)
- Blue mucous membranes. (B232.6.w6,
B602.7.w7)
- Lethargy. (B232.6.w6,
B602.7.w7, B627.14.w14)
- Anorexia. (B232.6.w6,
B602.7.w7, B627.14.w14,
B628.11.w11)
- Possible high temperature. (B232.6.w6,
B602.7.w7, B627.14.w14)
- Lung sounds may be increased. (B602.7.w7,
B628.11.w11)
- Note: Sudden onset pneumonia with sepsis can cause sudden death. (B232.6.w6,
B602.7.w7, B627.14.w14)
- In kits, dyspnoea, open-mouth breathing, nasal discharge
(serous to suppurative) and death within 24 hours if not treated with
antibiotics has been seen. (B627.14.w14)
Gross pathology
In Rabbits
- Pulmonary: In a study, lesions included red consolidation of
the anteroventral lobes of the lungs, with or without emphysema; red
and grey consolidation of the anteroventral lobes; diffuse red or red
and grey consolidation; diffuse red and grey consolidation with
emphysema or with lung abscesses, fibrinous pleuro-pneumonia and
fibrinous pleuro-pneumonia with lung abscesses. (J35.159.w3)
- Note: severe lung lesions may develop without many clinical
signs having been noted. (J10.36.w1)
- With disseminated staphylococcosis, fibrinous pneumonia or pulmonary
abscesses may occur. (B602.17.w17)
- Final diagnoses in one study included acute haemorrhagic pneumonia,
acute suppurative pneumonia and fibrinohaemorrhagic bronchopneumonia
with fibrinous pleuritis. (J35.159.w3)
In Ferrets
- Pulmonary:
- Suppurative inflammation may be present in and around the
bronchial tree, or in major portions of the lung lobes. (B627.14.w14)
- In the bronchi, purulent material may be found. (B627.14.w14)
- Consolidation of the lung lobes in the cranioventral region. (B232.6.w6)
- Necrosis of the alveoli and airways. (B232.6.w6)
- There may be granulomatous tissue present. (B232.6.w6)
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| Further Information |
Susceptibility
In Ferrets
- Susceptibility is increased by Influenza in Ferrets,
chronic disease (e.g. cardiomyopathy), metabolic disease,
immunosuppresive therapy and post-surgery. (B627.14.w14)
Diagnosis
In Rabbits
- Clinical signs.
- Radiography. See: Imaging in Lagomorph Diagnosis and Treatment
- In a rabbit with severe respiratory compromise, initially it may
be possible only to obtain a conscious dorso-ventral radiograph of
the thorax. If possible, a lateral view of the thorax should be
taken, with the front legs drawn forwards. (B601.7.w7)
- Assessment may be difficult due to the small thoracic cavity as
well as intrathoracic fat which may be present. (B601.7.w7)
- Obtaining an inspiratory film is challenging due to rapid,
shallow respiration. (B601.7.w7)
In Ferrets
- History. (B232.6.w6)
- Note: If the ferret is immuno-suppressed, this can allow latent infections
to become active. (B602.7.w7)
- Physical examination. (B232.6.w6,
B601.7.w7, B628.11.w11,
B631.26.w26)
- Radiographs of the thorax. See: Imaging in Ferret Diagnosis and Treatment
(B602.7.w7,
B628.11.w11, B631.26.w26)
- Increased lung density may be seen, with e.g. air bronchograms
or hilar oedema. (B232.6.w6)
- Bronchial patterns may suggest primary airway disease. (B602.7.w7)
- Pleural effusion may be seen. (B631.19.w19)
- Haematology (B601.7.w7,
B628.11.w11, B631.26.w26)
- Cytology and culture of fluid taken from the trachea via lavage. (B232.6.w6,
B602.7.w7, B627.14.w14,
B628.11.w11,
B631.26.w26)
- This should be send for bacterial and fungal cultures. (B601.7.w7)
Differential diagnosis
In Ferrets
Treatment
In Ferrets
- Oxygen should be given if breathing is difficult. (B232.6.w6,
B602.7.w7, B628.11.w11)
- Diuretics may help with gaseous exchange in the lungs. (B232.6.w6)
- Fluid therapy should be given. (B232.6.w6,
B602.7.w7, B628.11.w11)
- Provide very palatable foods; force feeding may be
necessary. (B232.6.w6,
B602.7.w7, B628.11.w11)
- Antibiotics should be given whilst waiting for a culture result. (B631.26.w26)
- Note: A combination of these antibiotics may be
required. (B602.7.w7)
- Treatment is usually given until clinical signs have stopped and the
ferret's lungs are clear on radiographs. (B631.26.w26)
Prognosis
In Ferrets
- Prognosis depends on the severity of the pneumonia, but generally
ferrets respond well to antibiotics and supportive treatment. (B602.7.w7)
Prevention
In Ferrets
- Isolate animals that are infected, to prevent further spread of the
infection. (B232.6.w6)
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| Associated Techniques |
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| Host taxa groups /species |
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| Disease Author |
Dr Debra Bourne MA VetMB PhD MRCVS
(V.w5), Bridget Fry BSc, RVN (V.w143) |
| Referees |
Brigitte Reusch BVet Med (Hons) CertZooMed MRCVS (V.w127) |
