Etiology:  Bordetella bronchiseptica is a small, Gram-negative, alpha-hemolytic, non-fermenting rod.

Incidence:  Incidence of infection is uncommon in research animals.

Transmission:  Routes of transmission include aerosol and direct contact. Many rabbits are asymptomatic carriers.

Clinical Signs:  Bordetella is commonly a co-pathogen in rabbits colonized with P. multocida.  B. bronchiseptica infrequently causes disease in rabbits free from P. multocida.  Signs are similar to snuffles and include mucopurulent rhinits.  Pneumonia rarely develops.

Gross Pathology:  The characteristic lesion is erythematous nasal mucosa with mucopurulent exudate.

Diagnosis:  Definitive diagnosis is made by culture of the organism.