First litters, first tragedy... Update, all dead.

[skysthelimit]

To my understanding cocci is always a question of graduated exposure, not letting animals raised on hygenic litter or wire suddenly come into a zone of high oocyst contamination. If anything these rabbits would have had less exposure lately because it's been cooler and dryer in the past 2 weeks than at any time earlier.

Generally.

But just for future reference for anybody reading, all my rabbits are wire raised, pans 1-2 feet from the trays. They don't touch the ground except those slated for culling in the grow out pen. The only buns that left the house were the Jersey Woolies, who went to a show, spent less than 10 minutes on the show table, went back into a wire carrier and went home, stayed in the carrier for the QT period.They did not get sick. No other animals came in or out, and I live in the city, so no real wildlife entered the yard/barn, and the majority of my property is paved concrete. The strain this summer was more virulent than any other seen. Thought he kits displayed symptoms, the adults generally just dropped dead.

Whatever it it, having gone through a major loss, I am truly sorry

 

[Permajen]

Hi sky's the limit, I'm so sorry you've had those deaths... That's definitely something to note.
Cocci can kill a chick overnight too, and there may be no symptoms noticed. I agree that's one of the ways cocci can work.

But I would argue that form of cocci death is not likely to happen unless there are environmental reasons for a sudden massive bloom in cocci oocyst numbers, or the rabbits encounter a new strain (such as at a show). Neither happened here.

Taking animals to a show, especially hygenically raised animals, presents them with a whole new set of immunological challenges. Cocci oocysts are spread so easily it's almost pointless to be careful. A casual touch of the bars by someone who passes two separate rabbit cages will do it. While sorry that this may have occurred, I can easily see why a new strain would overwhelm the immune system.

Again, with thanks for your intelligent post, I don't feel this was cocci.