by Darian Peters

Created on: November 30, 2010

There are various different species, both internal and external, that can be parasites of rabbits. Some of the common types of external parasites found on rabbits include flystrike, fleas, and several species of mites. Each different species will have its own set of symptoms to look out for but they are likely to causing itching and hair loss and perhaps bleeding and scarring. Anti-parasitic drugs can be used to tackle most common external parasites of rabbits. Isolating healthy rabbits from other pets that are infested help prevent transmission.

Flystrike is one of the dangers that rabbits may have to face. This involves flies being attracted to the faeces of the rabbits and laying their eggs there. Eventually their maggots eat out of the faeces and find their way onto the rabbit. Once there they feed off the rabbit. If they eat down into the body it can be really serious and even kill the rabbit.

Another type of external parasite that rabbits may become infested with is fur mites. Cheyletiella, which is also known as walking dandruff, is one common form of this invader. These are quite big as mange mites go, and can be seen walking around on the skin of the animal through the dandruff that they cause. They are itchy and they may cause the animal to scratch and bite in an effort to ease the suffering. This can cause damage itself. Possibly leaving an opening for some infection.

A third type of external parasite of rabbits is the flea. Although there is a specialised rabbit flea of the species Spiloscylla cuniculi, it is the cat flea species, Ctenocephalides felis, that is the more common one that infests rabbits. This is another very itchy and uncomfortable condition for the rabbit. Again the rabbit could scratch and bite and leave itself open to infection.

Treatment for an external parasite will depend to some extent upon the type of species that is causing the problem. Although a general-purpose anti-parasitic drug such as Ivermectin could be used in a variety of cases. There are also medicated shampoos that can give useful results against a variety of species of parasites. A product called Rearguard could be painted on to the rear of the rabbit to help stop flystrike infestation. Preventative steps should be taken to make sure that infested pets don’t get near healthy ones. Also, cleansing an environment that may harbour parasites should be performed.

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