Vol. 9, Special Issue 12 (2020)

Author(s):
R Vigneshwar, K Imayarasi and R Divisha

Abstract:
Pasteurella multocida is a gram negative bacterium and an inhabitant of the oral flora of a variety of livestock and domestic animals. Although sepsis and pneumonia by P. multocida infection is common in rabbits, infective endocarditis is extremely rare. There are limited reports of P. multocida infective endocarditis in humans, but no such report has been published in rabbits, so far. The case is reported of a dead adult male New Zealand White rabbit infected with sub-clinical Pasteurellosis. Necropsy findings revealed gangrenous pneumonia and vegetative endocarditis. Culture and staining examination revealed the presence of Pasteurella multocida. The remaining rabbits from the adult stock were found with sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, dyspnoea and pyrexia. Antibiotic sensitivity test of isolated Pasteurella multocida showed higher sensitivity to ceftiofur. The rabbits showed rapid recovery from the infection after treatment with ceftiofur sodium.