CHENNAI: For the first time in the country, researchers from Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Tanuvas) have introduced a vaccine to treat snuffles among rabbits. This vaccine can potentially help multiply rabbit farms in the state.
Snuffles is a common, contagious bacterial disease associated with the respiratory system. The vaccine is an autogenous vaccine, which is developed after inactivating the pathogen. According to a 2012 study, the country has a rough population of six lakh domestic rabbits.
"The vaccine will cost ₹1 for one rabbit. We are planning to distribute it through our Veterinary University Training Centres and Farmers Training Centres to rabbit farmers across the state," said C Soundararajan, director, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tanuvas. Rabbits can be vaccinated from three to four weeks followed by a booster after a two-week interval.
" Snuffles is difficult to control once infected on a farm. Often, treatment is also not effective because of the antimicrobial resistance," said professor S Manoharan from vaccine research centre- bacterial vaccine, centre for animal health studies, Tanuvas.
"This vaccine could be a game changer in rabbit farming. It could enhance rabbit production and generate more income," he added.
Besides being used as domestic pets and livestock animals, rabbits are also widely used as an experimental animal for biological and drug research.
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