Etiology, diagnosis and control of toxemia of pregnancy in rabbits

Rabbit pregnancy toxemia is a common lethal metabolic disease of pregnant rabbits in the late stages of pregnancy, with a high incidence in transmigratory rabbits and obese females. In mild cases, the symptoms are not obvious, but in severe cases, depression, respiratory distress, severely reduced urine output and ketone odor of exhaled gas can be seen. Pre-mortem abortion, ataxia, convulsions and coma may occur. Hematologic tests are elevated for non-protein nitrogen, decreased calcium, increased phosphorus, and a positive acetone test. Etiology The etiology is not fully understood and is currently thought to be mainly related to nutritional disorders and inadequate exercise. Factors such as breed, age, obesity, gestational age, overpregnancy, fetal size, malnutrition during pregnancy and environmental changes can affect the development of the disease. The occurrence of this disease is firstly, the liver glycogen in the body is consumed, then the body fat is mobilized to regulate the balance of glucose in the blood, resulting in a large amount of fat accumulation in the liver and free in the blood, causing fatty liver and high blood lipid, liver failure, a large accumulation of organic ketones and organic acids, leading to ketonemia and acidosis; when a large amount of ketone body is discharged through the kidneys, and then the kidneys become fatty, toxic substances can not be discharged, resulting in Uremia; at the same time, hypoglycemia occurs because the body cannot complete the regulation of glucose balance. Therefore, toxemia of pregnancy is a combination of ketonemia, acidosis, hypoglycemia and liver failure. Diagnosis Diagnosis can be confirmed based on symptoms and medical history, combined with hematological examination. Prevention and treatment The principles of treatment are to replenish blood sugar, lower blood lipids, protect the liver and detoxify the body, and maintain cardiac and renal functions. First of all, 20 ml of 25%-50% glucose can be injected intravenously; at the same time, 2 ml of vitamin C2 can be injected intravenously; 2 ml of each vitamin B1 and B2 can be injected intramuscularly. Prevention, in the late pregnancy to prevent nutritional deficiencies, should be supplied with protein and carbohydrate rich and easily digestible feed, not fed poor quality feed. At the same time should avoid sudden change of feed and other stress factors. For obese, overpregnant and large, as well as species prone to the disease, appropriate glucose supplementation before and after delivery can prevent the occurrence and development of toxemia of pregnancy.