NAVLE Rabbits

Rabbit Encephalitis Study Guide

March 28, 2026 25 min read 17 views
Encephalitis in rabbits represents inflammation of the brain parenchyma and is a critical multisystemic disease with significant morbidity and mortality.

Overview and Clinical Importance

Encephalitis in rabbits represents inflammation of the brain parenchyma and is a critical multisystemic disease with significant morbidity and mortality. The condition frequently presents with neurologic signs and can be caused by infectious (parasitic, bacterial, viral) or non-infectious etiologies.

Encephalitozoon cuniculi, a microsporidial parasite, is the most common cause of encephalitis in pet rabbits. Understanding the differential diagnoses, diagnostic approach, and treatment protocols is essential for NAVLE success.

System Affected Clinical Signs
Central Nervous System (Most Common) Vestibular Signs: Head tilt (torticollis), nystagmus, ataxia, rolling, circling, loss of balance Other Neurologic Signs: Seizures, tremors, hemiparesis, posterior paresis, urinary incontinence, behavioral changes, mentation changes
Renal Polyuria, polydipsia (PU/PD), weight loss, anorexia, dehydration, chronic renal failure. May be subclinical with incidental findings on bloodwork.
Ocular Phacoclastic uveitis, cataracts (usually unilateral), white intraocular masses. Typically seen in young rabbits (6 months to 2 years) due to transplacental infection.

Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi)

Etiology and Pathophysiology

Organism: E. cuniculi is an obligate intracellular microsporidial parasite (phylum Microsporidia). It is a eukaryotic, unicellular, spore-forming organism measuring approximately 1.5 × 2.5-5 micrometers.

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