Unexpected deaths in young New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Five weeks after the arrival of a batch of six New Zealand White rabbits for use in antisera production, four died unexpectedly within a 48-h period. Necropsy findings showed a consistent pattern of liver pathology in all animals, with multiple miliary abscesses in all liver lobes. Of the remaining two animals in the cohort, one showed weight loss, mild jaundice, and ascites, and the other rabbit had only weight loss. The differential diagnosis for these unexpected deaths included parasitic and bacterial infections. Histopathologic examination of the liver confirmed a diagnosis of hepatic coccidiosis. The possible origin of the coccidia responsible for this outbreak is discussed.