Sometimes its hard to believe that an animal can actually get a venereal disease. But it is true that rabbits can contract a one often referred to as vent disease. Vent disease, sometimes referred to as Rabbit Syphilis is caused by the bacteria Treponema cuniculi. It will most often result in ulcerations and crusty scab like conditions near the anus, vulva and entire genital area. If not treated, the rabbit will spread the condition to its mouth and eyes while cleaning itself.
Vent disease is highly contagious and can be spread either by direct contact, during breeding, and passed to offsprings to kindling. Any rabbit showing signs of vent disease should be removed from your breeding program until they have been properly medicated. Quarantining the rabbit from the herd for a short time should also be practiced.
Topical application of ointments may relieve the area of its soreness but will not rid the rabbit of this disease. Vent disease can be effectively treated using Pen BP-48 which is a combination of Procaine Penicillin G and Penicillin G Benzathine. We successfully treated by giving a dosage of 20,000 IU per pound of body weight. As with any medication, care should be taken to read the label so you understand how much medication you are administering to the rabbit. The bottle of Pen BP-48 that we purchase contains 300,000 IU per mL. So a 4 pound rabbit would receive 2.5/10 of a mL. This should be administered once a week for three straight weeks. The medication is to be given subcutaneously (SQ). A 25 gauge needle should be small enough for the rabbit, yet large enough for this somewhat thicker medication.
As with any antibiotic care should be taken to watch your rabbit for any signs of diarrhea. Hay should be free fed during the treatment to aid the rabbits digestive system and prevent diarrhea. You may also consider removing pellets from the diet for the first couple of days after treatment.
As with any disease it is extremely important to find the initial cause of such a problem in your herd. Good husbandry practices can help you prevent large breakouts within the rabbitry. Always be sure to check each rabbit over thoroughly before breeding them. Do not use a rabbit that is in poor flesh condition or that shows signs of any disease or illness. We frequently check our rabbits for such signs even when not used for breeding. The little bit of extra time to frequently examine your rabbits, could save your herd.
Rob Usakowski
Three Little Ladies Rabbitry
June 1st, 2008 at 10:09 pm
I have rescued twenty neglected Flemish Giants from a breeder. During cleaning and grooming, I noticed two bucks have small white pimples on their penises. I live in a geographically-challenged area of Northern Michigan with no vets specialized in rabbits. Could you help me to identify the nature of these small growths on the bucks’ penises?
June 11th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I have a Lionhead doe that has always had a swolled redish vulva , I read your article. I’m not real good with infusing, do I have to get the medication from the vet? I also have one baby lionhead with teeth that stick out, can you tell me how to clip the teeth. she is not breed stock and not sellable. I just thought I could clip her teeth and keep her a while as a pet. thanks, Emily
July 24th, 2009 at 11:32 am
We have a six week old baby with vent disease, contracted through mom after breeding to another breeder’s buck. Can we use penicllin procaine g with such small bunnies? They’re all about 1 lb, 6 oz. Do the treatment ratios stay the same?
Thanks.
July 24th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
We prefer not to give medications junior rabbits unless a absolute emergency. Their digestive systems are just too sensitive. I would suggest contacting a vet for their recommendations.
August 16th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
I have 2 does that have vent disease. Before I noticed they had it they were housed with another doe who isnt showing signs of having vent disease. I was wondering if the disease could be passed through the does scratching or biting each other?
September 10th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.
February 21st, 2010 at 1:46 am
Rob, thank you very much for your guidance. After 3 visits to the vet and being misdiagnosed each time… I took matters into my own hand and read articles describing lagomorph diseases that give crusty noses and swollen anus. I found several pictures and articles describing vent disease.. subsquently I found your article which described how to cure it. I then googled for the penicillin, ordered it.. and with the help of a nurse friend of mine, made the subq injections. Our rabbit has totally recovered and is much happier for it. Thanks again for the info you provided.
March 31st, 2010 at 11:25 am
I have a seven month old buck that has what looks like a pimple. I dont know what it is but i can touch it and check his sex without any reactions. Also he is not sore. Any clue what it is?(The pimple is on his genital area)
March 31st, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Its hard to say without seeing it. There are pimples that are not vent disease.
April 2nd, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Could you please contact me. I have to treat a mini rex doe with vent disease. I bought some meds and syringes but I want to make sure I have the correct items. Thank you
July 28th, 2010 at 7:17 am
I have a 4 month old Polish doe with vent disease. I have the syringes and penicillin, but I don’t know how to give an injection to a rabbit. If you could please help, I would greatly appreciate it.
Raena
August 8th, 2010 at 8:44 am
Raena,
The easiest way to give a subcutaneous injection to a rabbit is to lift some of the skin at the back of the neck. Push the the needle into that piece that you have lifted. Draw back slightly on the syringe to insure you did not hit a vein (if you did blood will draw out). If you did not hit a vein then proceed with injecting the penicillin.