Examinations on clinics and therapy of encephalitozoonosis in pet rabbits

277 pet rabbits were tested for the presence of antibodies to Encephalitozo on cuniculi using the india-ink immunoreaction. 125 (45,1%) animals had an antibody titre (1:20 to 1:1280), 152 (54,9%) were seronegative. 51 (40,8%) of the seropositive rabbits showed clinical signs of an encephal itozoonosis. 23 (45,1%) of them suffered from CNS-disorders, 16(31,4%) from kidney failure and 7 (13,7%) animals showed a phacoclastic uveitis. In add ition 2 (3,9%) rabbits had signs of CNS-as well as kidney disease, 3 (5,9%) animals with both CNS-and renal disorders, suffered from phacoclastic uvei tis. Rabbits with CNS-disorders usually showed a combination of different sympto ms such as ataxia, torticollis, nystagmus, paresis, delay/loss of pupillary reflex, and convulsions. In patients suffering from renal failure there co uld be diagnosed increased values of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, an d in addition anemia, hyperkalemia and hyponatremia. In some animals osteod ystrophia and pathologic fractures occurred. Analysis of hematologic and cl inical chemistry values revealed significant higher concentrations of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in healthy seropositive rabbits in contrast t o healthy seronegative animals. A comparison of blood values of seropositiv e healthy rabbits and animals with CNS-, kidney-, and ocular signs showed d ifferences in the "kidney group". These rabbits showed significant higher v alues for blood urea nitrogen, cretinine, leukocytes, potassium, AST and GL DH. There were significant lower values for hemoglobin, erythrocytes, hemat ocrit and sodium. 20 rabbits with CNS-symptoms were treated with oxytetracy cline, dexamethasone, vitamin B, and infusions. 11 (55%) of these animals s howed a complete recovery, and in 5 (25%) rabbits there was an improvement of clinical signs. 7 patients suffering from phacoclastic uveitis were trea ted with oxytetracycline and dexamethasone parenterally. In addition eye oi ntments containing tetracycline and dexamethasone were installed. Signs of inflammation disappeared with this therapy. Treatment of rabbits suffering from kidney failure (enrofloxacine, infusions, vitamins) was not very succe ssfull.