Investigation of Pre- and Post-Weaning Mortalities in Rabbits Bred in Egypt, with Reference to Parasitic and Bacterial Causes
This study was conducted to investigate the causes of mortality in young rabbits. A total of 110 V-Line breed female rabbits aged 5 m were used in this study. Rabbit kits were examined daily in pre- and postweaning stages to detect clinical disorders that caused death. The postmortem examination was...
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MDPI AG
2020-03-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/3/537 |
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| author | Saeed El-Ashram Shawky M. Aboelhadid El-Sayed M. Abdel-Kafy Shymaa A. Hashem Lilian N. Mahrous Eman M. Farghly Asmaa A. Kamel |
| author_facet | Saeed El-Ashram Shawky M. Aboelhadid El-Sayed M. Abdel-Kafy Shymaa A. Hashem Lilian N. Mahrous Eman M. Farghly Asmaa A. Kamel |
| author_sort | Saeed El-Ashram |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study was conducted to investigate the causes of mortality in young rabbits. A total of 110 V-Line breed female rabbits aged 5 m were used in this study. Rabbit kits were examined daily in pre- and postweaning stages to detect clinical disorders that caused death. The postmortem examination was carried out on dead kits. Furthermore, rabbits were examined for the probable bacteriological and parasitological causes of death. Fecal samples were collected from each dead kit and examined by standard microbiological procedures for bacterial pathogens and macroscopically and microscopically for the presence of endo- and ectoparasites. Throughout two breeding seasons, 2238 newborns were obtained, of which 1736 died, accounting for a 77.57% mortality rate. During preweaning (1st month of age) and postweaning (up to 3 months of age), 1501 (67.10%) and 235 (31.90%) deaths were recorded, respectively. A postweaning fecal examination revealed that 198 out of 229 (86.50%) were diarrheic rabbits due to <i>Eimeria</i> infection. <i>Cittotaenia</i> spp. eggs were detected in 4.37% of fecal samples, and mites (<i>Sarcoptis scabiei</i>) were present in 6.55%. <i>E. coli</i> was detected in 100% of examined animals during pre- and postweaning periods; however, <i>Salmonella</i> spp. were 97.22% and 43.67, respectively. Managemental risk factors were the main causes in preweaning mortality, including insufficient milk supply (37.37%), cannibalism (26.38%), mange infestation of a rabbit doe (22.20%), mastitis (4.30%), lack of doe care (5.00%), bronchopneumonia (2.13%), and enteritis (1.80%). However, risk factors in postweaning mortality included sudden death with general septicemia (13.80%), enteritis (9.63%), bronchopneumonia (5.43%), mange infestation (2.04%), and malnutrition (0.81%). In conclusion, the etiology of preweaning mortality in kits was related mainly to the doe, especially managemental risk factors. However, a combination of multiple pathogenic agents (parasites and bacteria) and managemental factors was reported in the postweaning stage. Careful attention must be paid to avoid these causes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T04:23:07Z |
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| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T04:23:07Z |
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| spelling | doaj.art-b7b4dcb9d0684916805790eefeb1c6672022-12-21T18:00:12ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152020-03-0110353710.3390/ani10030537ani10030537Investigation of Pre- and Post-Weaning Mortalities in Rabbits Bred in Egypt, with Reference to Parasitic and Bacterial CausesSaeed El-Ashram0Shawky M. Aboelhadid1El-Sayed M. Abdel-Kafy2Shymaa A. Hashem3Lilian N. Mahrous4Eman M. Farghly5Asmaa A. Kamel6College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 18 Jiangwan street, Foshan 528231, ChinaParasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, EgyptAnimal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza 12651, EgyptAnimal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza 12651, EgyptParasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, EgyptAnimal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza 12651, EgyptParasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, EgyptThis study was conducted to investigate the causes of mortality in young rabbits. A total of 110 V-Line breed female rabbits aged 5 m were used in this study. Rabbit kits were examined daily in pre- and postweaning stages to detect clinical disorders that caused death. The postmortem examination was carried out on dead kits. Furthermore, rabbits were examined for the probable bacteriological and parasitological causes of death. Fecal samples were collected from each dead kit and examined by standard microbiological procedures for bacterial pathogens and macroscopically and microscopically for the presence of endo- and ectoparasites. Throughout two breeding seasons, 2238 newborns were obtained, of which 1736 died, accounting for a 77.57% mortality rate. During preweaning (1st month of age) and postweaning (up to 3 months of age), 1501 (67.10%) and 235 (31.90%) deaths were recorded, respectively. A postweaning fecal examination revealed that 198 out of 229 (86.50%) were diarrheic rabbits due to <i>Eimeria</i> infection. <i>Cittotaenia</i> spp. eggs were detected in 4.37% of fecal samples, and mites (<i>Sarcoptis scabiei</i>) were present in 6.55%. <i>E. coli</i> was detected in 100% of examined animals during pre- and postweaning periods; however, <i>Salmonella</i> spp. were 97.22% and 43.67, respectively. Managemental risk factors were the main causes in preweaning mortality, including insufficient milk supply (37.37%), cannibalism (26.38%), mange infestation of a rabbit doe (22.20%), mastitis (4.30%), lack of doe care (5.00%), bronchopneumonia (2.13%), and enteritis (1.80%). However, risk factors in postweaning mortality included sudden death with general septicemia (13.80%), enteritis (9.63%), bronchopneumonia (5.43%), mange infestation (2.04%), and malnutrition (0.81%). In conclusion, the etiology of preweaning mortality in kits was related mainly to the doe, especially managemental risk factors. However, a combination of multiple pathogenic agents (parasites and bacteria) and managemental factors was reported in the postweaning stage. Careful attention must be paid to avoid these causes.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/3/537pre- and postweaningrabbitsmortality<i>eimeria</i><i>salmonella</i><i>e. coli</i>management |
| spellingShingle | Saeed El-Ashram Shawky M. Aboelhadid El-Sayed M. Abdel-Kafy Shymaa A. Hashem Lilian N. Mahrous Eman M. Farghly Asmaa A. Kamel Investigation of Pre- and Post-Weaning Mortalities in Rabbits Bred in Egypt, with Reference to Parasitic and Bacterial Causes Animals pre- and postweaning rabbits mortality <i>eimeria</i> <i>salmonella</i> <i>e. coli</i> management |
| title | Investigation of Pre- and Post-Weaning Mortalities in Rabbits Bred in Egypt, with Reference to Parasitic and Bacterial Causes |
| title_full | Investigation of Pre- and Post-Weaning Mortalities in Rabbits Bred in Egypt, with Reference to Parasitic and Bacterial Causes |
| title_fullStr | Investigation of Pre- and Post-Weaning Mortalities in Rabbits Bred in Egypt, with Reference to Parasitic and Bacterial Causes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigation of Pre- and Post-Weaning Mortalities in Rabbits Bred in Egypt, with Reference to Parasitic and Bacterial Causes |
| title_short | Investigation of Pre- and Post-Weaning Mortalities in Rabbits Bred in Egypt, with Reference to Parasitic and Bacterial Causes |
| title_sort | investigation of pre and post weaning mortalities in rabbits bred in egypt with reference to parasitic and bacterial causes |
| topic | pre- and postweaning rabbits mortality <i>eimeria</i> <i>salmonella</i> <i>e. coli</i> management |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/3/537 |
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