Survey of Health Status of Domestic Rabbits in Selected Organized Farms in Kenya

Abstract

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.