The Pathology and Epidemiology of Acute Enteritis in Captive Cottontail Rabbits (Sylvilagus floridannus)

Abstract

The pattern of acute enteritis in captive cottontail rabbits was observed over a 4-year period and was found to repeat itself within close limits in each of the 4 years. Mortality exceeded 50% in those rabbits caged individually, and the clinical course was about 24 hours. Major pathological changes were limited to the stomach and large gut with necrosis, edema, and loss of mucosa. Severe dehydration was the probable cause of death in most cases. The disease bears clinical and pathological similarity to mucoid enteritis in domestic rabbits. Epidemic patterns suggest that an infectious agent may be involved.