Post mortem findings include inflammation and necrosis of the caecum, intestine,
liver and heart. The distinguishing characteristic of the disease is the salt grain size white
spots on the liver. These white spots are the long, slender rods of the bacterium C.
piliforme.
Predisposing factors include poor husbandry, overcrowding, immunosuppression,
low fibre diets, stress and existing diseases. The disease is spread though the oral
ingestion of bacterial spores that are shed in the feces of infected rabbits. These spores
can remain viable in the environment for more than one year. No treatment has been
effective as the administration of antibiotics yield poor results. The presence of
antibodies in “apparently healthy” animals suggests that C. piliforme can reside in a
dormant state in the digestive system. As a result, it is not recommended to treat affected
herds, as it prolongs the disease and produces carriers of the disease. The best treatment
is the complete elimination of the herd and thorough cleaning and disinfection of the
rabbitry. Prevention measures include good management practices, avoiding
overcrowding, and dust control to reduce exposure to the bacterial spores.