Nutritional digestive disturbances in weaner rabbits

Weaning is considered a stressful period for rabbits caused by abrupt changes of diet and environment. An immature immune system together with a transient decrease of nutrient digestibility places the animal in adverse conditions where digestive pathologies might take place. In recent years the European ban on antibiotic type growth promoters in animal feeds has even complicated weaning management for farmers because of the widespread and incidence of emerging animal diseases. Since the first outbreaks in 1997 the epizootic rabbit enteropathy (ERE) has become a threat to the industry as it can cause between 20 and 70% of mortality and up to 100% morbidity in European rabbit commercial farms. Although the aetiology of this disease remains unknown, proliferation of Clostridium perfringens could be a consequence of ERE and might be associated to the high mortality caused by this disease. Although, several antibiotics have been proven to be efficient against ERE, there is a need to find alternative solutions to control the disease in order to fulfil current EU legislation. Among them, nutritional management has become a priority, given its importance on digestive diseases. The present work summarises recent research related to the feed composition and management of young rabbits in farms affected by ERE, aiming to provide useful guidelines for nutritionists towards a preventive nutrition against this disease. Data dealing with maternal and environmental effects on ERE incidence and mortality are also discussed.