Prevalence and associated risk factors of Eimeria species in domestic rabbits of semi-arid Rajasthan Swarnkar C.P.*, Khan F.A., Bhatt R.S. ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar-304 501, Rajasthan *E-mail address: swarnkarcp@yahoo.com
Online Published on 12 February, 2024. Abstract To establish the epidemiology of Eimeria spp. infections in rabbits reared in semi-arid region of Rajasthan, a total of 822 individual fresh faecal samples were collected during May 2021 to December 2022 from naturally infected domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) managed under cage system. The samples were subjected to flotation technique to estimate the number of coccidian oocysts per gram of faeces (OPG). The overall prevalence of Eimeria spp. was 24.9% and significantly (P<0.01) higher in young (40.3%) as compared to adult (14.4%) rabbits. Sex and breed had non-significant effect on the prevalence of Eimeria infection. The higher monthly prevalence (20-30%) was in August, November and January in adult and during September to February in young rabbits (70-90%). The overall intensity of Eimeria spp. was 7.15±1.80 ×103 OPG and significantly (P<0.01) influenced by age with around 7-times higher in young (14.65±4.12 ×103 OPG) as compared to adult (1.98±1.01 ×103 OPG). Sex had non-significant effect on intensity of Eimeria infection. Breed had significant (P<0.01) effect on intensity of Eimeria infection and varied from 2.57±1.69 ×103 OPG in Dutch to 13.97±8.28 ×103 OPG in New Zealand White. The monthly intensity varied from nil (March to May) to 9.82±6.94 ×103 OPG (November) in adult and from 0.03±0.01 ×103 OPG (April) to 130.89±40.14 ×103 OPG (November) in young rabbits. The generic composition of Eimeria oocysts showed overall predominance of E. coecicola and E. perforans. The other species recorded were E. piriformis, E. irresidua, E. media, E. exigua, E. magna and E. intestinalis. The study provided appropriate data for assessing the potential infection and future management strategy against rabbit coccidiosis to mitigate the losses. In rabbit rearing, all therapy should concern not only the young growing rabbits but also the nursing females because contamination from mother to young rabbits takes place during the week preceding weaning. Top Keywords Coccidiosis, Eimeria species, Prevalence, Rabbits, Risk factors, Semi-arid region. Top |