Rabbit syphilis

Rabbit syphilis, also known as treponematosis, vent disease, or venereal spirochetosis, is caused by the bacterium Treponema cuniculi. This is not a zoonotic disease and can be passed by direct and sexual (venereal) contact. :222

Transmission is through direct contact with infected skin or from infected dam to kits at birth. Incubation periods are long, lasting up to 10 to 16 weeks. :235

Symptoms
It is a self-limiting disease; carriers may be asymptomatic until stress occurs. :235

Other symptoms include the following: :222
 * lesions on the skin of the perineum and genitilia.
 * facial lesions around the chin, lips, nostrils, and eyelids.
 * inguinal lymph nodes may be enlarged.

Affected female rabbits can also have the following symptoms: :235
 * inflammation of the uterus (metritis)
 * abortion
 * neonatal death

Bucks are often asymptotic carriers and may have small star-shaped stars on their scrotum. :222

Diagnosis
A skin biopsy sample with silver staining can confirm a diagnosis of rabbit syphilis. :222

Treatment
Rabbits with syphilis are effectively treated with injections of penicillin. :223 Penicillin should never be given to rabbits orally. Remove nursing kits from dams during treatment to decrease the risk of their developing penicillin-associated enterotoxemia. :236

Tetracyclines and chloramphenicol can also be effective. :223