Pneumonia kills a dozen rabbits at Fairfield County Fair, rest are under quarantine

Spencer Remoquillo | Lancaster Eagle Gazette

LANCASTER — Twelve market rabbits died after a respiratory infection spread through the rabbit barn at the Fairfield County Fair late last week.

The chief illness appeared to be pneumonia, according to the Fairfield County Senior Fair Board, which announced the death of the rabbits during Thursday night and Friday morning.

“It's just like at school, when one kid gets it, it spreads to the classroom," said Chuck Miller, senior fair board member. "... Once they get it, it’s difficult to recover from. You can’t treat them. Market animals can’t be treated because you don't want that medicine in their system."

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There were more than 300 market rabbits at the fair, and Miller said 12 showed symptoms and died.

Last week's fluctuating weather, which started in the 80s and dropped down to the 50s, may have been a contributing factor, Miller said.

After the illness was discovered on Friday, the fair board shut off public access to the rabbit barn and allowed limited access until all of the animals could be picked up either by exhibitors or the packer to process the market rabbits.

Symptoms of pneumonia include sneezing, coughing, watery and runny eyes, and general depression. So far, Miller said none of those symptoms appeared in any of the breeding animals, which unlike market rabbits, can be treated with antibiotics if they get sick.

“Breeding animals tend to handle pneumonia better because they're older," Miller explained. "Market animals are more susceptible because they're only two- to three-months-old."

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When breeding rabbits were released Friday, Miller said they suggested exhibitors keep them quarantined from other animals at home for two to three weeks as a precaution.

If rabbits show signs of illness, owners should contact their veterinarian to treat with antibiotics.

Miller said the barn would be cleaned and disinfected this week.

sremoquill@gannett.com

740-681-4342

Twitter: @SpencerRemo