Survey of Health Status of Domestic Rabbits in Selected Organized Farms in Kenya
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Date
2014Author
Okumu, P. O.
Gathurnbi, P. K.
Karanja, D. N.
Bebora, L. C.
Mande, L. C.
Serem, J. K.
Wanyoike, M.M.
Gachuiri, C.
Language
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Rabbit has emerged as a key livestock that is increasingly being raised by
farmers in Kenya. However, diseases and inadequate technical knowledge
amongst animal health providers on these diseases are the major challenges
facing the sustainability of rabbit farming in Kenya. This study was designed to
determine the prevalence, etiology and clinical presentation of diseases of
domestic rabbits with an aim of enhancing their diagnosis and management in
the field situation. The cross sectional survey was conducted in 61 farms in
rabbit producing areas in Kenya. Direct observational assessment and structured
questionnaires were used to determine husbandry practices and health status in
the farms. A total of 61 live rabbits, 320 bacteriological swabs, 363 fecal
samples, and 21skin scrapings were collected from randomly selected rabbits
and examined for etiological agents of disease in the laboratory. The frequently
reported signs of diseases in rabbits were; diarrhea (81.97%), sudden death
(73.78%) and bloat '(68.85%). Ear canker (i 6.39), diarrhea (11.48%) and
pneumonia (11.48%) were encountered during clinical examination. During
necropsy digestive conditions (65.57%) including; intestinal coccidiosis
(29.5%), hepatic coccidiosis (11.48%) and pinworms (3.28%) were commonly
encountered. Clinical and sub clinical diseases affecting the digestive system
are a major constraint to domestic rabbit production in Kenya. It is therefore
recommended that animal health services providers participate actively in
management of these diseases of rabbits.
Citation
International Journal of Veterinary ScienceSponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi