Case report: disseminated Staphylococcus aureus infections in two infant desert cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus audubonii)

Gabriele C. Paul; Daniel G. Friend

doi:10.53607/wrb.v42.273

Authors

Gabriele C. Paul Colorado Wild Rabbit Foundation, Erie, CO, USA
Daniel G. Friend Colorado Wild Rabbit Foundation, Erie, CO, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53607/wrb.v42.273

Keywords:

Disseminated infection, rabbit diseases, Wildlife rehabilitation, abscesses, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent pathogen in mammals, including rabbits. It can cause suppurative inflammation with a variety of clinical presentations, sometimes resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Outbreaks have been reported in both domestic European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and in cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.). The Colorado Wild Rabbit Foundation recently identified two cases of disseminated S. aureus infections in sibling infant desert cottontail rabbits (S. audubonii) that were presented for rehabilitation. This case report describes the course of the disease, attempted treatment, and pathology findings. Culture and sensitivity tests indicated susceptibility of the pathogen to all antibiotics tested, including trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ). However, both cases resulted in disseminated spread, against which TMP-SMZ was ineffective. Cottontail rabbit rehabilitators should be aware of the potentially subtle clinical signs, the possibility of outbreaks within a facility, and the difficulties in treating this disease.

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Author Biographies

Gabriele C. Paul, Colorado Wild Rabbit Foundation, Erie, CO, USA

Gabriele C. Paul has been involved in wildlife rehabilitation since 2007, and has focused exclusively on lagomorph rehabilitation since 2013. She is the co-founder and Director of the Colorado Wild Rabbit Foundation. Gabriele has a master’s degree in biology from the University of Colorado and is a Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator (CWR). She is licensed by the state of Colorado for the rehabilitation of small mammals.

Daniel G. Friend, Colorado Wild Rabbit Foundation, Erie, CO, USA

Daniel G. Friend has been involved in lagomorph rehabilitation since 2010, and was a founding Director of the Colorado Wild Rabbit Foundation in 2013, in which he maintains an active role. He is a retired research physicist (Cornell University, AB and University of Colorado, PhD) and continues active leadership roles in several domestic and international physics-focused organizations.

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