Preventive Medicine and Rabbit Health Management

The success of any animal production system is strictly related to the best practices in preventive medicine regarding rabbit welfare, biosecurity, prophylaxis, and technical-economic management. These four pillars are essential to reduce the risk of introducing, establishing, and spreading animal diseases, contributing to farms’ success from a One Health perspective. Biosecurity programs must be implemented in each rabbitry, according to the specific epidemiological conditions, available resources, and production objectives, but the main goal is always the same: ensure the best rabbit health status by reducing the entry of pathogens into the farm, their potential transmission among animals, and disease development. Thus, a protocol based on systematic hygienic and sanitary measures involving animal management; appropriate infrastructures, equipment, and procedures; and responsible conduct of farm personnel and visitors, in association with adequate prophylaxis protocols, is always highly recommended. In this chapter, the currently recommended best practices in biosecurity, preventive medicine, and rabbit husbandry will be explored in detail.