Rabbit Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Viral Diseases

“…It is unclear whether the agent is a naturally occurring pathogen of rabbits or a virus from another species adapted to rabbits in contaminated treponemal stocks. However, the disease may be useful as a model for virus-induced cardiomyopathy (Alexander et al, , 1993Baric et al, 1990;Edwards et al, 1992).…”

“…Iridocyclitis has been reported. With virulent strains, a third of infected rabbits die 3-5 days after inoculation, although deaths can occur until 14 days (Baric et al, 1990;Fennestad, 1985;Fennestad and MacNaughton, 1983;Fennestad et al, 1975Fennestad et al, , 1986Fledelius et al, 1978;Gudjónsson and Skog, 1970;Gudjonsson et al, 1970;Small et al, 1979). Generalized or hindquarter muscular weakness was also reported in rabbits surviving the acute phase of infection (Gudjonsson et al, 1970;Small et al, 1979).…”

“…Rabbits dying during the acute phase of disease have pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, and dilation of the right ventricle (Alexander et al, , 1993Baric et al, 1990;Christensen et al, 1978;Edwards et al, 1992;Fennestad et al, 1975;Small et al, 1979). The pleural cavities contain 2-50 ml of fluid, with or without fibrin, and few cells; ascites may also occur in rabbits dying after the first week.…”

“…The heart weight is increased, and there is dilation of the right ventricle followed by dilation of the left ventricle. The cause of death appears to be congestive heart failure (Alexander et al, , 1993Baric et al, 1990;Edwards et al, 1992;Small et al, 1979). In fatal cases, there is lymphoid depletion of the splenic follicles, focal degenerative changes of the thymus and lymph nodes, and mild proliferative changes of renal glomeruli (Christensen et al, 1978;Small et al, 1979).…”

“…A mild non-suppurative, non-granulomatous anterior uveitis develops during the acute phase of infection and regresses within 4 weeks (Fledelius et al, 1978). At 65 days after infection, myocarditis is evident, and about one-third of rabbits had evidence of right-and/or leftsided cardiac dilation (Baric et al 1990). After 2 years, rabbits had pulmonary lymphoid hyperplasia, lymphoid hyperplasia of lymph nodes and spleen, siderosis in the spleen, necrosis and periportal inflammation in the liver and interstitial fibrosis of the myocardium (Fennestad et al, 1986).…”