The Biology and Identification of the Coccidia (Apicomplexa) of Rabbits of the World

Coccidiosis is an intestinal disease that affects several different animal species, including canines and humans, and is one of the most prevalent protozoal infections in North America. The causative agent is a protozoan that has the ability to multiply rapidly and cause major damage in the intestinal wall, rupturing the cells of the intestinal lining. The final stage, the oocyst, is extremely resistant to environmental stress and is difficult to completely remove from the environment. Oocysts are frequent contaminants of feed and water, and when the sporulated oocysts are ingested by other animals, they start the life cycle over in the new host. With the demand for rabbits in scientific research and for rabbit meat for human consumption increasing globally each year, rabbits are of epidemiologic significance for laboratory workers, university researchers, veterinarians, pet owners, and breeders.Up until now, there has been no taxonomic summation allowing easy parasite identification available for those species that infect rabbits. This book provides a reference that conceptually and historically summarizes the world's literature and also provides a quick guide to isolation procedures, identification, strategies for management, and available chemotherapy for these parasites of rabbits and what we know about their real and potential transmission to humans that could lead to dangerous health problems, like severe dehydration, vomiting, lethargy and even death.