Alternatives to robenidine to control gastrointestinal disorders of weaner rabbits in the field

Veterinary and Animal Science

Roger Bolt¹  Annette Liesegang²  Clarissa A. Jung²  Felix Grimm³  Julia Schädler⁴  Sarah Albini⁴  Paul P. Torgerson⁵ 

[1] Department for livestock husbandry, Strickhof, Eschikon 21, 8315 Lindau, Strickhof, Switzerland;Institute of Animal Nutrition, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 270, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, Switzerland;National Reference Centre for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases, Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 270, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 270, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;

关键词: Eimeria sp.;    E. coli;    Feed additives;    Coccidiostats;    Gastrointestinal disorders;    Weaner rabbits;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Gastrointestinal disorders due to Eimeria sp. and E. coli overgrowth cause high mortality in weaner rabbits and the interest in alternatives to coccidiostats is high. This study aimed to investigate the superiority of natural feed additives towards robenidine preserving gastrointestinal health in the field. Rabbits were divided into four groups, Control Group (CG) exclusively supplemented with robenidine, Sainfoin Group (SG) was supplemented with a combination of robenidine and sainfoin, and two additional groups were respectively supplemented with Herb-All COCC-X (garlic; conessi tree) (HG: Herbal Group) and by a combination of Herb-All COCC-X and Klinofeed (clinoptilolite) (MG: Mineral Group). Eimeria sp. (98,40%) and E. coli overgrowth (73.60%) could be confirmed as the main causes for losses. High mortality rates (SG: 30.00% - MG: 47.50%), also in the groups receiving robenidine (SG: 30.00%; CG: 45.00%), reinforced the importance of alternatives in the field. The natural additives of groups SG, HG and MG did not have a significant influence on the weight gains and the oocyst counts in the jejunum/ileum and caecum of slaughter rabbits at the end of the trial, compared to group CG. Significantly higher oocyst shedding in SG (p = 1.4E-03) and HG (p = 1.4E-05) during the trial may be explained by a higher surviving rate of diseased rabbits in those groups, fostered by beneficial effects of the additives, which should be investigated further.

【 授权许可】

Unknown