Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-mwx4w Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-24T17:58:19.179Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Do rabbits pose a risk of Johne’s disease to grazing cattle?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

M. J. Daniels
Affiliation:
Animal Nutrition and Health Department, Animal Biology Division, Scottish Agricultural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG UK
M. R. Hutchings
Affiliation:
Animal Nutrition and Health Department, Animal Biology Division, Scottish Agricultural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG UK
D. Henderson
Affiliation:
Veterinary Science Division, Scottish Agricultural College, Cleeve Gardens, Oakbank Road, Perth, PH1 1HF UK
A. Greig
Affiliation:
Veterinary Science Division, Scottish Agricultural College, Cleeve Gardens, Oakbank Road, Perth, PH1 1HF UK
K. Stevenson
Affiliation:
Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, EH26 0PZ UK
J.M. Sharp
Affiliation:
Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, EH26 0PZ UK
Get access

Extract

Paratuberculosis (Johne’s disease) is a chronic invariably fatal enteritis of cattle caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis and has recently been isolated from wild rabbits. One potential route of transmission of M.a.paratuberculosis from rabbits to cattle is the ingestion of rabbit excreta contaminating pasture. Here we (1) determine the prevalence and level of infection in rabbits and their excreta (2) quantify the level of rabbit faeces contaminating cattle pastures and (3) determine the impact of rabbit faeces on cattle grazing behaviour.

Type
Threatre Presentations
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2001

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)