36 DISEASES OF RABBITS 



fer according to the mode of infection. When 

 infection takes place from ingestion, i. e., via 

 the digestive traqt, the disease runs an acute 

 course with predominating gastro-intestinal 

 and systemic symptoms. If, on the other hand, 

 infection occurs via the respiratory tract, it 

 runs ^ more chronic course with nasal and 

 pneumonic symptoms more in evidence. This 

 latter train of symptpms constitutes rabbit in- 

 fluenza, contagious snuffles or malignant ca- 

 tarrh, as it has been diversely termed. In the 

 acute form the animal appears dull, hunched 

 up, and separates from its companions. Its 

 ears droop, always a sign of illness in a rabbit; 

 its fur is dull and rough and appetite is sus- 

 pended. Respiration becomes accelerated, 

 coma gradually supervenes and the animal dies 

 without a sti'uggle. Colicky pains and a blood- 

 stained diarrhea are prominent symptoms and 

 the animal succumbs in from ten to twenty 

 hours, but in rare instances may last up to 

 three days. 



In the pneumonia form, there is a profuse 

 nasal discharge, frequent cough and sneezing, 

 hurried respirations, heaving flanks and very 

 often a purulent conjunctivitis. The disease if 

 uncomplicated by the intestinal form runs its 

 course to death in from a week to ten days, 

 emaciation being very rapid. 



