“Wet face” or infectious stomatitis in rabbits

Infectious stomatitis is an enzootic viral disease of young rabbits, accompanied by inflammatory processes, ulcerations of the oral mucosa and profuse salivation, which is why it is called “wet muzzle”. A filterable virus is found in the saliva, blood and urine of sick rabbits . Histological examination of prints from ulcers from the mucous membrane of a rabbit's tongue reveals cytoplasmic inclusions in the epithelial cells.

Young rabbits are susceptible to viral stomatitis, starting from the suckling period and up to 3 months. Adult rabbits get sick extremely rarely; experimental infection of mice, rats, and guinea pigs with the stomatitis virus fails. 

The disease is registered in all seasons of the year, but more often in spring and autumn. An outbreak of viral stomatitis is facilitated by a decrease in the general resistance of the body of children, sharp fluctuations in temperature, high humidity, crowded housing of animals, and inadequate feed. Starting with isolated cases, the disease quickly spreads among rabbits, covering all young animals.

In permanently unfavorable farms, outbreaks of stomatitis occur after each birth and can cause the death of 30% of the herd and significant losses in growth and weight gain of young stock. 

The incubation period lasts 2-4 days, after which clinical signs of the disease appear: redness of the oral mucosa, the appearance of whitish spots or stripes on the cheeks, lips, tongue, painful ulcers, accompanied by copious salivation. Due to difficulty swallowing, saliva flows from the mouth, wets the fur in the submandibular space and on the dewlap, it becomes disheveled, sticks together, and loses its shine. The disease also affects the general condition of the rabbits - they are inactive, depressed, huddle in the corner of the cage, making characteristic slurping sounds, eat food poorly, quickly become exhausted and die on the fourth or fifth day of illness.

A pathological autopsy reveals hyperemia of the salivary glands, erosions in the oral cavity, catarrh of the small intestine and duodenum. The chronic form of stomatitis is usually mild and manifests itself in the form of small ulcers in the mouth, weak salivation and ends with recovery. The diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical signs (excessive salivation, damage to the oral mucosa) and, as a rule, does not cause difficulties.

If infectious stomatitis occurs, sick rabbits are immediately isolated. 

Timely treatment of all young animals, including healthy-looking rabbits, gives good results. 

Since specific drugs against infectious stomatitis have not been developed, a course of nonspecific therapy is carried out with approved antibiotics, sulfonamides, locally and in the form of intramuscular injections. The oral cavity is irrigated for two to three days with solutions of antibiotics and potassium permanganate.

During treatment, it is also important to prevent the development of bacterial complications,, if possible, eliminate parasitic (helminthic and protozoal) diseases, and stimulate the body’s defenses by strengthening the immune system in young animals. 

At the same time, the rabbits' food ration is enriched, including easily digestible feed, fine hay or green grass. If possible, sick rabbits are fed steamed grain, mash, and other soft foods. For preventive purposes, rabbits suspected of being infected with stomatitis are given the same drugs in the mouth that are used for treatment.

To prevent infectious stomatitis, it is necessary to monitor the quality of feed, the living conditions of animals, comply with veterinary and sanitary rules, and carry out preventive measures in a timely manner. 

The cages should always be dry and clean; overcrowding of animals should not be allowed; cages, feeders, and drinkers must be regularly cleaned and simultaneously disinfected. For timely diagnosis of the disease, it is necessary to conduct regular clinical examinations of rabbits, paying attention to the condition of the muzzle and oral mucosa.