The myxomatosis is a viral disease caused by a virus of the family of smallpox virus (Poxviridae), native to South America, where exist in endemic form in a variety of wild rodents of the family Leporidae, without causing too much trouble to them. However, when it passed to the rabbits are imported from Europe proved immediately fatal, leading to death almost 100% of those affected.
was why it was decided to export it to Australia and France in the '50s, as the indiscriminate proliferation of biological control wild rabbits.
Then, as often happens in such cases, the thing got out of hand man and nature reclaimed what belonged to him ... the result is that since its appearance in the rabbit domestico la malattia fu sempre mortale e soltanto oggi, dopo più di mezzo secolo, possiamo dire che esistono diversi ceppi virali che danno luogo a manifestazioni cliniche differenti, e per fortuna non tutte mortali.
Altro dato che mi pare qui importante ricordare è che il coniglio nano sembra essere meno sensibile rispetto alle razze di grande taglia.
Diciamo subito che il poxvirus ha un enorme potere infettante (1 solo virione è capace di causare la malattia), inoltre il virus ha una grande resistenza al freddo e alla disidratazione (persiste diversi mesi sulla cute o nelle squame cutanee), ma ha una scarsa resistenza alla luce e al calore, inoltre è sensibile all'azione della formalina e della varechina.
Esso può essere trasmesso direttamente tra individuo malato o infetto e individuo sano (per semplice contatto).
Ma la modalità più comune è quella indiretta, attraverso l'azione di artropodi vettori (pulci, zecche, zanzare, pidocchi, mosche, ecc.), ed in questo caso è caratteristico l'andamento stagionale, o addirittura tramite l'uomo stesso che maneggiando prima dei soggetti malati o infetti, può tramettere il virus da questi ai soggetti sani, se li manipola subito dopo, senza prendere le dovute precauzioni igieniche (in genere questo è il caso dei grandi allevamenti).
Per quanto riguarda la sintomatologia abbiamo già detto che oggigiorno può presentarsi in differenti forme cliniche, ma la manifestazione classica è quella nodulare, in cui dopo un'incubazione di 3-10 giorni compare nel punto d'inoculo un nodulo simil-tumorale (detto mixoma) che in genere si palesa in un'area priva di pelo (palpebre, padiglione auricolare, ecc.), in secondo luogo compare un caratteristico edema della testa, con tumefazione delle palpebre e scolo oculare purulento, anche senza congiuntivite.
Finally, generalized infection, with formation of secondary myxomas, located mostly on the face, but also in the region of back injury, the edema of the limbs and then to the genitals.
Finally, generalized infection, with formation of secondary myxomas, located mostly on the face, but also in the region of back injury, the edema of the limbs and then to the genitals. In the acute form, characterized by a short incubation time, poorly demarcated lesions in relief and a strong involvement of the genital organs, the rabbit dies within 1-2 weeks (usually for secondary complications by bacteria).
The forms eased, with incubation times longer and more scarce and less exudative lesions, but have a lower mortality rate to 50%, and if death occurs within 20-30 days.
The forms eased, with incubation times longer and more scarce and less exudative lesions, but have a lower mortality rate to 50%, and if death occurs within 20-30 days.
There is also a form of breath, less common, which has an incubation longer (1-3 weeks) and which may occur as a result of stress. In this case we will not have the presence of myxomas, but lesions in the form of congestive macules on the ears and genital region. E 'then this intense swelling eyelids, purulent conjunctivitis and coryza (first minimum and serosa, then mucus-purulent). This form is much more difficult to diagnose because it starts in latent form, and often chronic.
must then quote a typical form of the Angora rabbit (also observable in dwarf breeds) that typically occurs after the collection of the hair.
This is a purely cutaneous form characterized by the appearance of myxomas located mainly on the back, which spares the head, and appear as erythematous plaques of varying sizes from a few millimeters to several centimeters, so that is commonly known as "disease red buttons.
This is a purely cutaneous form characterized by the appearance of myxomas located mainly on the back, which spares the head, and appear as erythematous plaques of varying sizes from a few millimeters to several centimeters, so that is commonly known as "disease red buttons.
remember that myxomatosis is endemic in northern Italy, is present in the center and in Campania, while not widespread in the rest of Southern Italy and Islands.
for diagnosis, should be based on clinical findings, it is simple in its classical form for the presence of nodular myxomas and edema of the head, as it becomes more complex in the form of chronic respiratory failure, as the symptoms are less dramatic. The milder forms may remember a runny or Pasteurella.
The definitive diagnosis is obtained by using the identification of viral elements in the electron microscope, or through laboratory tests involving the detection of antigen by serology.
Unfortunately there is no really effective and specific therapy, but the disease can be prevented by vaccination gives good protection, and it is always advisable in pets living in endemic areas. The first vaccination can be performed from 4 weeks of age with subsequent calls every 4-6 months.
One important thing to note is that this is a disease reportable to local health authorities, according to the Veterinary Police Regulations and provides for the removal and destruction of infected individuals, since the rabbits were to survive can be removed the virus for a long time, acting as a reservoir of the disease.