by Darian Peters

Created on: December 01, 2010

There are many different parasites that can affect rabbits but on the whole they can be treated and prevented before they lead to severe harm or the death of the animal. Amongst the parasitic infestations that may appear include fleas, mites, flystrike, and E. cuniculi. Each one may require a different form of treatment and perhaps different preventative measures. But the use of anti-parasitic drugs and the separation of infested animals and healthy rabbits are both likely courses of action. Typically the environment of the rabbit should also be cleansed to minimise the chances of a recurrence of the parasitic infestation.

Fleas are one of the most common, and highly contagious, parasitic dangers that rabbits, and mammals more generally, have to face. There is a specific rabbit flea species called Spiloscylla cuniculi that can cause the condition. But a more common invader of rabbits is the cat flea species called Ctenocephalides felis. Treatment for this itchy and generally uncomfortable condition involves the use of a general-purpose anti-parasitic drug. There are also medicated shampoos that could be used to fight fleas as well.

Mites are another type of parasitic invader of rabbits and many other organisms. One of the most common variants is known as walking dandruff and is caused by Cheyletiella species of mites. The mites are so big that they will be seen walking around on the skin of the animal through dandruff that they themselves have caused. Again general-purpose anti-parasitic drugs and shampoos should be used.

Flystrike is a condition is made possible when flies attracted to the faeces of the rabbit lay their eggs in it. The maggots that eat their way out go and infest the rabbit. They feed from it and may even burrow inside the abdomen of the animal. If it gets to this later stage then it’s very serious and can lead to the death of the animal. The product Rearguard can be used to prevent the attraction of the fly to the rabbit. Cleansing of the rabbit and the environment is again useful.

Enchepalitozoon cuniculi is a single-celled parasitic species that can affect rabbits. This is a sometimes-deadly invader that causes kidney, urinary, and eye problems. An E. cuniculi infested rabbit is likely to be weak and shaky on its feet and suffer from weight loss. Treatment for this condition involves the use of a worming medication such as Lapizole. As a preventative step it may be worth giving a course of this to any new rabbit just in case it is carrying the invader.

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