New rabbits with coccidiosis PLEASE HELP

[Sandman]

Ok so I am extremely new to raising rabbits but I found someone who was telling some and I wanted to get into it. I had already set up cages and was ready to go before getting the rabbits. I was going to start out with the typical trio but the person I got them from just wanted to get rid of the last doe he had so I butchered the extra doe to eat it. Upon butchering it I found these yellow/white spots on the liver I didn't want to take any chances seeing as I was so new to this so I disposed of the rabbit. After researching it I figured more than likely it was the liver strain of coccidiosis. These rabbits are New Zealands that are about 7 months old. On the outside they look like very healthy rabbits. They don't seem to have a problem eating or drinking and there poop looks normal. I assume the person who raised them before me didn't take good care of them that's why they ended up with this disease. Now I have been doing constant research for the past few days with little gains. It just seems everything on the internet is so conflicting. One person says one thing and one person says another. I heard that sulphaquinoxaline was the best treatment for it but this drug is impossible to find. Even the local vet couldn't find it in the book of drugs they use. I also heard someone say that you could use Corid to treat it but you have to use a probiotic with it and then someone else says you cant use corid because its for cattle. I just don't know what to think or believe. Can someone please help me.

 

[Zinnia]

I would use them for breeding and see how they do. If they look healthy now, maybe they are. And, if they end up giving birth to healthy litters, those offspring will be good food. Just because a rabbit had been sick doesn't mean they will never produce healthy offspring. It's worth a try if they look fine now.

 

[Zass]

I assume the person who raised them before me didn't take good care of them that's why they ended up with this disease.

Cocci is super common in the US. It's caused by a protozoa.
Rabbits can be exposed to it from their dam, their pens, or contact with infected soil.

Most people who raise rabbits will encounter it at some point, I think.

 

[Dood]

I still get some spotty livers in my grow outs as they are in a colony and I haven't complete developed a resistant strain of bunnies

I try to be as organic as possible and choose not to treat my herd. If you keep them on wire and periodically scrub the cages with ammonia then most rabbits immune systems can fight off the disease and not get the white spots on the liver.

 

[Prisma]

Ditto what Zass said. Just because there is an issue does not automatically make it the previous owner's fault, especially with no pin pointed proof (or at least what we can see).

It is more common in some areas than others; especially those with more wet and humid climates. It seems the last 2 years its been a bigger problem in my area too I would treat for and then breed. Keep strongest and those that are resistant, eat the rest. If I am mistaken, please some one correct me (and then I'm going to go empty some bags myself); that a rabbit with an infected liver is still safe to eat just need to not use the organs, well cooked of course?

 

[Zass]

Yeah, they are safe Rebel Rose Rabbitry. Just don't eat the liver or any other off looking organs ever..
I always get really sad when I have to throw out livers.

Hepatic cocci is present in my soil too. I manage with sanitation. The kits who thrive and grow well will be the most resistant. I've yet to see one actually become sickly since I stopped letting them contact any dirt or feces, but I still see the occasional liver spot..

 

[Sandman]

Thanks everyone for your help. I just wasnt sure about still being able to eat them. Does anyone have any information about the corid? If thats a safe thing to use to treat it?