Blood glucose, plasma osmolarity and urea and creatinine clearance in rabbits artificially infected with intestinal coccidia

Abstract

Two groups of ten coprologically oocyst free rabbits were infected with 2×10 5 or 4×10 5 coccidia oocysts composed of Eimeria flavescens (7%), E. matsubayashi (9%), E. magna (12%), E. neoleporis (19%), E. perforans (21%) and E. media (32%). A third group served as the control. Only three infected animals developed full-blown disease with diarrhoea. The others suffered from a subclinical form of the disease. Shortly before and then on days 4 and 10 after infection, blood glucose levels were determined, and plasma osmolarity and urea and creatinine clearance were calculated. Throughout the observation period a decline in blood glucose levels and plasma osmolarity was observed. In parallel, a pronounced elevation of urea and creatinine clearance was found.