Effect of experimental infection of Trypanosoma congolense on the packed cell volume of Dutch belted rabbits and its implication

Abstract Effect of Trypanosoma congolense infection on Packed Cell Volume (PCV) of Dutch belted (does) rabbits was investigated. Sixteen Dutch belted rabbits weighing between 1.6 and 1.8 kg were grouped into two of eight each. Following intraperitoneal inoculation with T. congolense, PCV, total leucocyte count (TLC), rectal temperature (RT), heart rate (HR), body weight (BW) were assessed, as well as the level of parasitaemia. Mean PCV of infected rabbits were 36.0 ± 0.53%, 35.3 ± 0.19%, and 28.0 ± 0.89% while that for uninfected were 40.8 ± 0.11%, 41.8 ± 0.19%, and 41.3 ± 0.08% at days 18, 25 and 58 post inoculation (PI) respectively. Mean TLC of infected group were 5.5 ± 0.08 x109/L, 3.9 ± 0.08 x109/L and 3.4 ± 0.09 x109/L while that for uninfected were 5.9 ± 0.05, 4.2 ± 0.08, and 3.5 ± 0.09 at days 18, 25 and 58 respectively. Mean RT of infected were 38.3 ± 0.070C, 39.2 ± 0.090C and 39 ± 0.100C while that for uninfected were 38.0 ± 0.120C, 38.2 ± 0.110C and 38.8 ± 0.080C at days 18, 25 and 58 PI respectively. Mean HR of infected were 141 ± 0.96/bpm, 143 ± 1.22/bpm and 144 ± 1.13/bpm while that for uninfected were 149 ± 0.59/bpm, 144 ± 0.94/bpm and 149 ± 1.27/bpm at days 18, 25 and 58 respectively. Mean BW of infected were 1.7 ± 0.07kg, 1.5 ± 0.07kg and 1.6 ± 0.06kg while that for uninfected were 1.6 ± 0.07kg, 1.6 ± 0.07kg and 1.80 ± 0.07kg at days 18, 25 and 58 PI respectively. PCV of infected was significantly (P < 0.05) lower as compared to uninfected group at days 18, 25 and 58 of the study. Parasitaemia was detected at 6th day PI and remained high to the end of the study. The study suggest use of haematinics and anti-pyrexia in the disease management for rabbits.