Prevalence of Eimeria stiedai infection in outbred domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Examination of livers of 131 (103 young and 28 adult) rabbits purchased directly from local keepers and village markets in Eastern Nigeria revealed that hepatic coccidiosis due to Eimeria stiedai is endemic in this region. Forty- one (37.4%) of them were infected. The liver-to-body weight ratio, which was used as an index of gross pathology in infected rabbits, was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the latter than in noninfected rabbits. Hepatic coccidiosis was prevalent in rabbits from all the sites studied. Further research on this aspect of rabbit health is recommended in order to promote successful rabbit production in village communities in Eastern Nigeria.