INTENSITY OF INVASION IN EMERIOSIS OF RABBITS IN DIFFERENT METHODS OF KEEPING

One of the important problems in raising rabbits is eimeriosis, regardless of the method of maintenance. The disease affects animals of all ages, causing weight loss, feed conversion, morbidity and death. The aim. Study of the prevalence and diagnosis of rabbit eimeriosis by different housing technology to improve methods of disease control. Methods. The experiment was conducted during 2017–2019 in farms with different capacities in four regions of Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Kharkiv and Sumy. A total of 20 farms for keeping rabbits of different breeds were surveyed. Results. Studies of rabbit farms on business and private ones found that the most common infestation was with the following species of eimeria: Eimeria perforans, E magna, E. media, E. irresidua, E. piriforms and E. іntestinalis. It is proved that the extensiveness of rabbit infestation when kept in farms in metal cages, under the conditions of sanitary and hygienic regime and timely disinvasion of premises, was in the range of 42–15 % in autumn-winter period, and 19–6 % in spring-summer. According to the survey of homestead farms, rabbits kept in wooden cages on deep litter, the level of invasion in the autumn-winter period was 100–56 % and in the spring-summer – 70–29 %. Conclusions. Keeping rabbits in metal cages in compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards and timely disinvasion reduces the level of extensiveness of the invasion.


Introduction
The rabbit industry in Ukraine is just beginning to gain momentum due to the rapid growth and dietary properties of meat. Rabbits are an alternative commodity to fill meat stocks, as well Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine as kept them as pets and laboratory animals. Rabbit meat has a high content of protein, linolenic acid, calcium and phosphorus, low fat and cholesterol, also due to the physiological characteristics of rabbits in the process of their cultivation uses a minimum amount of chemotherapeutic agents. Therefore, such products can be considered organic. What is currently relevant for the food industry and maintaining the ecological balance in general [1,2].
Increasing the intensity of rabbit breeding and the concentration of livestock in a limited area increases the risk of disease transmission. Since Eimerias are permanent residents of gastrointestinal rabbits, the transmission of the pathogen from mother to children in the first days of life is inevitable. Coccidia oocysts are excreted along with rabbit feces. Oocysts can exist for a long time in the environment and one is enough to invade the next host. Rabbits together with hay, water and eating the feces of the mother and each other can be infected with this parasite [3].
Coccidiosis (eimeriosis) of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) refers to a parasitic disease caused by different species of the family Eimeria class Coccidia. There are eleven species of eimeria that live in the gastrointestinal tract and one that may exist in the bile ducts -Eimeria stiedae. [4].
Rabbits can be infected with coccidia from the environment. Very often this happens in breeding centers and other breeding enterprises where there is a large concentration of animals. Oocysts (eggs) need two or more days in humid conditions to become invasive. Rabbits can also become infected by eating oecyst-infected Eimeria grass and feed. In such conditions, it is important to disinfect the premises for animals [5,6].
Hepatic coccidiosis is caused by Eimeria stiedai. Young rabbits can be very susceptible, especially if exposed to an environment with a high level of invasion. Infection of animals with Eimeria stiedai can lead to obstruction of the bile ducts and fibrous formations in the liver. Clinically, it looks like weight loss, diarrhea, ascites, and jaundice, depending on the severity of the infection. Eimeria perforans, E. magna, E. media and E. irresidua are the four main species that cause intestinal coccidiosis in rabbits. Coccidia are located in the ileum and colon. Often coccidiosis can be diagnosed after the death of the animal. Typical symptoms are flatulence, loss of appetite, rapid weight loss, and sometimes diarrhea. The cause of death of animals is intoxication and asphyxia [7,8].
Prevention of coccidiosis depends on proper sanitation and keeping the litter dry. First of all, prevent contamination with fecal masses of water and food. It is also necessary to avoid feeding rabbits from the floor [9,10]. One way to reduce the number of oocysts is to have walking areas for rabbits. Sunlight ultraviolet light destroys coccidia eggs.
The aim of the research was to determine the geographical features of the prevalence of species of rabbit coccidia and the dependence of cases on the method of keeping animals and the sanitary condition of cages.

Materials and methods
The research was conducted from 2017 to 2020 in four regions -Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Kharkiv and Sumy. During the research the following were taken into account: the system of keeping rabbits, the type of premises, sanitary and hygienic indicators of the premises.
A total of 20 farms for keeping rabbits of different breeds were surveyed. The diagnosis of eimeriosis was made by laboratory tests of rabbit feces by the method of Fulleborn. The number of oocysts per gram of feces was determined according to the method of McMaster [11], and Eimeria species were identified using morphological criteria. Prophylactic and forced cell disinfection was performed with the help of Contavir (manufactured by "Kronos Agro", Ukraine) at a dose of 100 ml per 1 m 2 , which also has disinvasive properties against oocysts.

Results
The life cycle of coccidia is directly dependent on the method of keeping, the age of the animals, the season of the year and other factors. In view of this, to study coccidiosis (eimeriosis) as a disease caused by coccidia, to predict an increase in invasion, to plan preventive and curative measures, taking into account seasonality. Researches on detection of infestation by coccidiosis of rabbit farms of a farming and private direction were carried out ( Table 1).  Fig. 1-6).  Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine on the season, up to 100-200 heads. In our opinion, this is due to the way rabbits are kept and the sanitary and hygienic condition of the premises [12,13]. Cage keeping of rabbits on farms. Premises in which rabbits kept divided into two typessummer open and enclosure cells with brick heating. Open cages in three tiers for keeping in the warm period of the year (autumn, summer and spring) are made of metal mesh. Ventilation in such cells occurs naturally, the temperature varies depending on the environment 15-22 ºC. The main problem of this method of maintenance is to maintain the sanitary condition of the cells. Although the floor is made of mesh and rabbits cannot eat from the floor, infection can occur through food and water. Coccidia oocysts can also be trapped even on metal cages and other equipment. Rabbits have the ability to periodically lick the surrounding objects and each other, thus re-infecting animals in the group. Up to eight animals are kept in each cage. As a rule, all animals are the same age. But before landing in one group they are taken from different cages from the mother and divided into males and females. Thus groups are formed. Therefore, groups are mixed with varying degrees of invasion. In enclosure cells, rabbits are kept in metal cages in one tier. Nipple drinkers, bunker-type feeders, to which access is free. In cages one uterus with rabbits. The lighting in the room is artificial. Forced mechanical ventilation of supply and exhaust type. The room temperature is 17-19 ºС in winter and 23-25 ºС in summer.
On farms, regular mechanical cleaning of cages from rabbit manure is carried out. Disinfection takes place with the Kercher washing machine only when rabbits are transferred from one age group to another. Faecal samples for the study were taken from rabbits of different age groups ( Table 2). Table 2 The level of infestation of rabbits with eimeria in farms of Ukraine when kept in metal cages, n=15

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As a result of an experiment carried out on caged farms, it was found that the extent of invasion of rabbits by Eimeria was in the range of 6-42 % and varied depending on the season. The main peak incidence of rabbit eimeriosis was observed in the autumn-winter period. It was proved that the maximum number of coccidia oocysts in the fecal masses of rabbits in the cold season was 34±2.4 (EI=42 %), and the minimum -12±1.2 in the field of view of the microscope at EI=15 %. The results are related to the deterioration of the indoor microclimate, namely, increased humidity, poor ventilation and insolation. In the spring-summer period of the year, the level of invasion for eimeriosis decreased, and ranged from the maximum -15±1.2 (EI=19 %), to the minimum -5±2.0 (EI=6 %) [14]. According to the results of surveys of farms with a cage method of keeping rabbits, it can be stated that the incidence of rabbits for eimeriosis was within acceptable limits and did not exceed 42 %.
Keeping rabbits in wooden cages on private farms. In private homesteads, rabbits are kept in wooden cages with deep bedding. The temperature in the cages is not regulated and depends on the season, ventilation is natural. The walls and floor of the cages are solid wood, some elements of the cages can be made of metal mesh. The problem with keeping rabbits on a wooden floor with deep bedding is the accumulation of large amounts of fecal mass that rabbits can eat. Thus there is an invasion of all group of rabbits in a cage. Also a significant disadvantage is the material from which the cells are made -wood. Wood is a very porous material that can accumulate moisture, helminth eggs, eymeric oocysts and microorganisms. It is difficult to carry out disinfection and disinvasion in such cages as disinfection of a wood occurs only on its surface, without getting deep into material. This allows the reproduction of microorganisms in the pores of wood and sporulation of oocysts of Eimeria. Each cage can have a different number of rabbits from eight to ten. Faecal samples for the study were taken from rabbits of different ages ( Table 3).

Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine
Studies have shown that the highest peak of rabbit infestation with eimeriosis was in the autumn-winter period. This is due to a decrease in solar activity and the accumulation of fecal masses in the cells [15]. At low temperatures, the manure freezes to the cells, which complicates the process of mechanical cleaning and disinvasion of cells. The maximum number of coccidia in the fecal masses of rabbits in the cold season was 80±5.4 (EI=100 %), and the minimum -45±3.8 in the field of view of the microscope at EI=56 %. In the spring and summer, the level of invasion decreased significantly, and ranged from the maximum -56±2.4 (EI=70 %), to the minimum -23±2.6 (EI=29 %). As a result of surveys conducted on private farms in Ukraine when keeping rabbits in wooden cages and on a solid floor, the incidence of eimeriosis was 100 % in the autumn-winter period.

Discussion
Eimeriosis was monitored in twenty rabbit farms in four regions of Ukraine. Faecal samples collected from rabbits were examined for the number of Eimeria oocysts. Microscopic studies have shown that animals are most often infected with Eimeria perforans up to 25 %, E. magna 25-50 %, E. media 50-75 %, E. irresidua 50-75 %, E. piriforms 25-50 % and E. Intestinal 25-50 % [16,17]. Depending on the intensity of the invasion and climatic conditions, the incidence rate can vary [18].
The study gives an idea of the infection rate of large farms was 25-50 % and private 75-100 % [19]. Also important is the concentration of livestock, the system of keeping rabbits on metal mesh floors and on solid wood [20,21] Study limitations. The limitation of research is the insufficient number of covered farms, but gives a plausible idea of the level of invasion and species composition of coccidia in rabbit farms in Ukraine [22].
Prospects for further researches. Study of the intensity of rabbit infestation for eimeriosis depending on the methods of treatment and prevention scheme.

Conclusions
The obtained results show that in rabbit farms of farming business and private direction the most common infestation of the following species of Eimeria were: Eimeria perforans, E magna, E. media, E. irresidua, E. piriforms and E. іntestinalis. Practical researches have proved that keeping rabbits in metal cages with observance of sanitary and hygienic norms and carrying out timely disinvasion reduces the level of rabbit diseases with eimeriosis.
The practical value of the experiments is to determine the species composition of coccidia and the level of infestation with eimeriosis in rabbit farms of Ukraine by different methods of maintenance.