RESEARCH AND TEACHING FARM

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a major public health issue affecting both people and animals. In Nigeria, the increasing interest in rabbit farming has led to frequent antibiotic use, sometimes without proper veterinary guidance, raising concerns about resistant bacteria. This study aimed to identify the bacterial species present in the feces of rabbits reared at the University of Benin, Research Farm and to evaluate how these bacteria respond to commonly used antibiotics. Fifteen fecal samples were collected from rabbits and analyzed using standard microbiological techniques. The bacteria were isolated, identified, and tested for antibiotic susceptibility using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. The antibiotics examined included amoxicillin, erythromycin, streptomycin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and apramycin. The bacterial isolates obtained were Bacillus sp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., and Micrococcus sp. Most isolates showed high sensitivity to erythromycin (74.1%), streptomycin (51.9%), and ciprofloxacin (33.3%), while moderate resistance (22.2%) was observed against apramycin. E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus exhibited the greatest resistance levels. Although the overall resistance rate was relatively low, the presence of resistant strains highlights the need for responsible antibiotic use, better hygiene, and regular monitoring of resistance trends to prevent possible health risks to both animals and humans.