Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis or toxoplasma is a disease that results from infection with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. Rabbits can contract the parasites by ingesting them, but they are not a source of infection and live rabbits cannot spread toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma is only transmissible from rabbits to humans who handle or eat undercooked rabbit meat. Cats are the definite host, and all other warm-blooded animals are intermediate hosts.

Ingested sporozoites hatch in the small intestine and are dispersed throughout the body via the blood and lymphatics. Once the host immune responses are established, the organisms can be found as cysts in various tissues where they can remain for years.

Symptoms
Most obvious symptoms of toxoplasmosis in rabbits are neurological:
 * Seizures, tremors
 * Head tilt
 * Ataxia
 * Paresis and paralysis
 * Muscle weakness.

Causes
Rabbits can contract toxoplasmosis by being exposed to vegetation, food, or bedding contaminated by cat feces.

Treatment
Trimethoprim-sulfa or sulfadiazine in combination with pyrimethamine are the drugs of choice to treat toxoplasmosis in rabbits.

Rabbits with toxoplasmosis should have their activity restricted (e.g. avoid stairs and slippery surfaces) according to the severity of their head tilt. It is absolutely imperative that rabbits continue to eat during and following treatment. Syringe-feed food such as Critical Care as necessary if the rabbits refuse food. Encourage fluid intake by offering fresh water, wetting leafy vegetables, or flavoring water with vegetable juices.