INFECTIOUS NASAL CATARRH OF RABBITS 21 



the food. The organism produces a severe inflammation of 

 the mucosa of the nasal passages and sinuses, and later enters 

 the circulation producing general infection, causing elevation 

 of temperature and in most cases an inflammation of the 

 serous membranes. The infection is often carried directly to 

 the trachea, bronchial tubes and lungs, where it produces an 

 acute inflammatory condition. 



Necropsy.— The nasal, oral and pharyngeal mucous mem- 

 branes are intensively congested, swollen and covered with a 

 purulent exudate. In the lungs are often found evidences 

 of a bronchopneumonia. The thoracic cavity may contain 

 a serous or purulent exudate with fibrinous deposits on the 

 pleura. The peritoneum will also show inflammation with 

 some exudate in the abdominal cavity. The bacilli can be 

 found in large numbers in the exudate and in affected organs. 



Symptoms.— The incubation period is from four to six 

 days. The first symptoms noticed are depression, a copious 

 discharge of serous secretion from both nasal openings and 

 severe sneezing. The temperature is usually from 104°-106° 

 F. and there is complete loss of appetite. This discharge 

 soon becomes thick and tenacious, adhering around the nasal 

 openings and on the hair of the chest and limbs, the animal 

 frequently rubbing its nose with its paws to relieve the intense 

 irritation. With the extension of the inflammation to the 

 larynx and bronchi, dyspnea and coughing result. Exhaus- 

 tion is soon noticed due to the general infection and anorexia. 



Prognosis.— Very unfavorable in acute cases, death occur- 

 ring in three to five days. In subacute and chronic cases in 

 older animals the course is fifteen to thirty days. Complete 

 recovery, however, is rare; chronic nasal catarrh is a common 

 sequel. 



Diagnosis.— The rapid development, high temperature, 

 absence of coccidia (see rhinitis coccidiosa), the acute inflam- 

 mation of the serous membranes and the finding of the specific 

 bacillus in the discharges confirm the diagnosis. 



Treatment.— Medical.— The nasal passages should be 

 sprayed with antiseptic solutions (boric acid 2 per cent, or 

 sodium bicarbonate 2 per cent.), the accumulated crusts 

 removed with warm water and a protective dressing of zinc 



