262 Veterinary Medicine. 



bility, and a morose disposition and loss of control over the hind 

 limbs have been set down as rabiform indications. 



Diagnosis depends on the inveteracy and sanguineous nature 

 of the diarrhoea, but especially on the discovery of the amoeboid 

 organisms in the recent, warm discharges. 



Treatment should be along the same line as in cattle. 



COCCIDIAN ENTERITIS IN RABBITS. INTESTINAL 

 COCCIDIOSIS. 



Causes. In rabbits the coccidium perforans is the psorosperm 

 which usually attacks the bowels. The coccidium oviforme 

 which produces hepatic coccidiosis is also occasionally found in 

 the intestines. The perforans is smaller than in cattle being 15 

 to 25 /i long, by 12 to 15 ju. broad, approximating to the variety 

 found in man. 



Lesions. There is extensive congestion of the intestinal mu- 

 cosa, with thickening and softening of the epithelium so that it 

 breaks down into a pulp under pressure, also free desquamation 

 with the formation of abrasions, sloughs and ulcers. In some 

 instances extensive croupous casts of the intestine are found. 

 As in the other animals the coccidium is found abundantly in the 

 epithelial cells of the afEected parts which swell up and de- 

 generate. When the parasite has escaped from the cells it lives 

 free in the abundant mucopurulent and sanguineous secretions of 

 the bowels. 



Symptoms. There are loss of appetite, swelling of the abdo- 

 men, profuse diarrhoea, the faeces yellowish in color and contain- 

 ing mucopurulent matters and blood. The di.sease may prove 

 fatal in a few days without much loss of flesh, but if protracted 

 it leads to extreme anaemia, emaciation and debility and the ani- 

 mal dies in marasmus. 



Diagnosis is always to be certified by the profusion of coccidia 

 found in the fresh liquid discharges. 



Prevention must be secured if possible by the removal of the 

 healthy rabbits from the infected and from the hutch or warren 



