Pathological findings in a fatal pet rabbit Pasteurellosis

A case of fatal Pasteurellosis infection in a 2-month-old rabbit is described. Pasteurellosis is considered one of the most important diseases of rabbits and has been reported as a constant serious and highly contagious disease of domestic rabbits. Before death, the main clinical signs observed were rhinitis with nasal discharge, abdominal breathing and coughing. At necropsy, pathological findings revealed severe pleuropneumonia with the accumulation of a remarkable amount of fibrinopurulent exudate in the thoracic cavity, serous rhinitis and tracheitis. A bacterial isolate from lungs was identified as Pasteurella multocida serotype A. The present study describes the histopathological lesions associated with P. multocida infection in a pet rabbit brought to visit with respiratory signs.