Health and Body Condition of Rabbit Does on Commercial Farms

Abstract

The sanitary status (presence or absence of rhinitis, mastitis, sore hocks and mange) and body condition (BC) of 3751 lactating does was evaluated on an individual basis to: a) analyse the influence of the “sanitary status” factor in lactating does on their body condition, and b) estimate the influence of BC on the sanitary status of does. The body condition scoring (BCS) was evaluated by palpating and estimating the fullness of muscle and fat of the lumbar, sacral, coxal tuberosity and gluteal regions, in relation to the size of the animal, on a lineal scale of 1 to 9. Prevalence of the diseases was 19.48% coryza, 4.34% mastitis, 5.46% sore hocks and 4.13% mange. An ANOVA was used to evaluate the effect of sanitary status on the BCS, the following factors being significant: rhinitis, mastitis, sore hocks, number of kindling, partum-AI interval, lactation stage and farm. The presence of rhinitis, mastitis and sore hocks caused the BCS to decrease by 6%, 7% and 7%, respectively (P<0.001). Therefore, all possible measures must be taken to reduce the prevalence of these diseases in farms. The method of maximum likelihood (CATMOD procedure) was used to estimate the analysis of the factors of variation affecting each disease. The factors that were significant for some of the diseases were: farm, BC, reproductive rhythm, number of kindling, phase of lactation, season and use of foot-rests. The use of foot-rests reduces the prevalence of sore hocks by over 50%. The BCS is a good indicator of health in does, and is thus a criterion in farm management.