Clinical signs of rabbit pododermatitis and seasonal dynamics of their development

The article describes studies of clinical signs of pododermatitis in rabbits. The work was carried out in 2023 in private farms of the Poltava region. A marked visual-analog scale was used to assess the clinical condition, according to Drescher and Schlender-Böbbis (1996). This scale predicted the presence of lesions, which was evaluated by the corresponding points. Their number was correlated with the degree of damage: 0 points (healthy paw without signs of damage, the amount of wool corresponds to the norm). One point is reddened skin and the presence of hypotrichosis or alopecia. Two points – low-grade hyperkeratosis combined with hypotrichosis (alopecia). Three points – moderately pronounced hyperkeratosis, combined with alopecia (exfoliation (exfoliation) of the surface layers of the epidermis in the form of large scales, formed in the disruption of the normal processes of keratonization). Four points – hyperkeratosis combined with alopecia; simultaneously, scabs formed due to the release of serous wound secretions and the beginning of ulcer formation were detected. Five points: hyperkeratosis with alopecia, scabs formed due to the release of bloody secretions from wounds and ulcers. Six points – hyperkeratosis with alopecia, deep ulcers, combined with degenerative changes in the surrounding tissues, crusts formed as a result of bloody secretions from wounds. According to the study results, the dynamics of the development of pododermatitis in farms with the same maintenance conditions are similar. According to the localization of pododermatitis, three forms of damage were identified on the hind paws – heel, middle of the metatarsal and pads (plantar, toes), and one on the front paws – plantar pads, mostly metatarsal. After the increase in the number of livestock in the spring, a simultaneous increase in the incidence rate of pododermatitis was recorded. At this time, the factors contributing to the development of the disease began to act simultaneously. The most significant of which is an increase in the temperature of the external environment and the introduction of fresh grass mass into the diet, which leads to increased humidity of the litter. Assessment of damage to the skin of the sole during this period indicates the initial stages of the disease in most animals. The number of patients with pododermatitis ranged from 17.0 % to 27.9 %. Shallow damage to the skin of the soles, measured in 1–3 points, was found in rabbits of the studied farms in the range of 67–89 %. In the summer, the percentage of rabbit pododermatitis patients in all farms increased to 24.4–43.6 %. Most of the damage to the skin of the soles of the hind paws was estimated at 4–6 points. These indicators were placed in the range of 79–93 %. In autumn, sick animals decreased to 15.4–19.0 %. Most of the sick animals were characterized by 4–6 points lesions according to the scale of Drescher and Schlender-Böbbis (1996). In farms, the percentage of such animals ranged from 83 to 100 %. It was established that animals with mild damage (an initial form with a score of 1–3 points on the scale of Drescher and Schlender-Böbbis (1996) had no abnormalities in their clinical condition. The body temperature of such rabbits was within normal limits. Appetite was not reduced compared to healthy animals. Depression of the general condition or other deviations from the norm were not noted in any sick animal. The appetite was reduced in rabbits with severe damage (which had a rating of 4–6 points). Anxiety was noticeable during feeding. The rabbits constantly jumped from place to place, shaking their damaged paws. Some animals (up to 10 % in different farms) had pronounced depression. 3–5 % of this group showed an increase in temperature by 1–2 °C above the norm.