Name
Clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of suspected Toxoplasmosis in the domestic rabbit
Speakers
Description
Clinical Toxoplasmosis is considered rare in the domestic rabbit and few reports exist describing
the disease. The purpose of this case series is to describe the clinical signs, diagnostic findings,
treatment, and outcome of suspected clinical Toxoplasmosis in domestic rabbits. Medical records
at a single private tertiary referral hospital were reviewed for rabbits with positive Toxoplasma
gondii titers and concurrent neurological clinical disease. Seven cases were included in this case
series. Neurological signs included head tilt, nystagmus, circling, proprioceptive deficits, cranial
nerve deficits, tetraparesis, intention tremors, and ataxia or rolling. All animals had T. gondii
serology performed and titers ranged from 1:64 to 1:1024. A CBC and chemistry were
performed in 3 of 7 rabbits at the time of diagnosis. Ancillary diagnostics included skull CT,
Encephalitozoon cuniculi serology, Neospora serology, Sarcocystis serology and
echocardiogram. Two animals were treated with ponazuril alone, 3 were treated with ponazuril
and TMS, 1 was treated with TMS alone, and 1 was euthanized before treatment was initiated.
Of the 7 rabbits, 1 did not respond to therapy, 2 showed initial improvement but later developed
clinical relapse, 1 showed mild improvement after prolonged therapy, 2 were euthanized due to
concerns regarding quality of life, and follow up was lost for 1 rabbit. Toxoplasma gondii may be
an underdiagnosed etiology of neurological disease in domestic rabbits. Further research into the
pathogenesis of T. gondii and pharmacokinetic (pKa) and pharmacodynamic (PD) studies of anti-
protozoal agents in rabbits are needed to determine effective treatment protocols for the disease.
Session Type
Lecture (25 Min)