rabbit fever

rabbit fever.

See tularemia.

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tularemia [too″lah-re´me-ah]

a plaguelike disease of rodents, caused by Francisella tularensis, which is transmissible to humans. It can be contracted by handling diseased animals or their hides, eating infected wild game, or being bitten by insects such as horseflies or deer flies that have fed on such animals.

Symptoms and Treatment. Tularemia begins with a sudden onset of chills and fever, accompanied by headache, nausea, vomiting, and severe weakness. A day or so later, a small sore usually develops at the site of the infection, and it becomes ulcerated. There may also be enlargement and ulceration of the lymph nodes and a generalized red rash. In untreated cases, the fever may last for weeks or months. Treatment is with antibiotics, such as tetracycline, streptomycin, and chloramphenicol.

Prevention. Tularemia is usually thought of as an occupational disease. Those who may be exposed to it, such as game wardens and hunters, should take precautions such as wearing gloves when handling wild animals, particularly rabbits and squirrels, and wearing adequate clothing in the woods to prevent bites by insect vectors of the disease. Wild game must be especially well cooked in order to kill the tularemia organism.

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rabbit

see sylvilagus.

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brush rabbit

sylvilagusbachmani.

rabbit calicivirus disease

see rabbit hemorrhagic disease.

rabbit fever

see tularemia.

rabbit fibroma virus

see leporipoxvirus, Shope rabbit fibroma.

rabbit fur mite

cheyletiellaparasitivorax.

laboratory rabbit

some specialized strains have been developed to provide a consistent type of rabbit for experimental work in laboratories. The International Index of Laboratory Animals is a reference source for these strains. The most commonly used variety is the new zealand White.

rabbit pasteurellosis

see rabbit septicemia (below).

rabbit pox

see rabbitpox.

pygmy rabbit

Brachylagus idahoensis; a native of North America.

rock rabbit

Ochotona princeps; see pika.

rabbit septicemia

a disease of rabbits caused by Pasteurella multocida and characterized by sudden death preceded by fever, dyspnea and nasal discharge. In mild cases there is nasal catarrh and conjunctivitis. Called also snuffles (1).

rabbit syphilis

see spirochetosis (2).

rabbit tick

haemaphysalisleporispalustris.

volcano rabbit

Romerolagus diazi; a native of Mexico.