Difference between revisions of "Worms"
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| = | =Parasitic Worm Infections in Rabbits= | ||
| == | ==Passalurus ambiguus (Pinworm)== | ||
| === | ===Etiology (cause)=== | ||
| Passalurus ambiguus is the most common nematode in domestic rabbits. Transmission occurs via ingestion of infective eggs shed in feces.   | |||
| DOI: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.03.005 10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.03.005]   | |||
| ===Clinical Signs=== | |||
| - Often asymptomatic in light infections    | |||
| - Heavy infections: perianal irritation, scratching, reduced growth rates, occasionally diarrhea   | |||
| ===Treatment, Prevention, and Control=== | |||
| - Fenbendazole (20 mg/kg orally for 5 days) is effective    | |||
| - Pyrantel pamoate is an alternative treatment    | |||
| - Strict cage hygiene and removal of fecal material to reduce reinfection   | |||
| Reference:   | |||
| Boag, B. & Thomas, R. (2006). The life cycle and transmission of Passalurus ambiguus in rabbits. *Veterinary Parasitology*, 137(3–4), 347–353. DOI: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.03.005 10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.03.005]   | |||
| ==Trichostrongylus spp. (Stomach Worms)== | |||
| ===Etiology (cause)=== | |||
| Trichostrongylus species infect the stomach and small intestine. Rabbits become infected through ingestion of larvae from contaminated food or bedding.   | |||
| DOI: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.10.014 10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.10.014]   | |||
| === | ===Clinical Signs=== | ||
| - Weight loss   | |||
| - Poor coat quality   | |||
| - Diarrhea in heavy infections   | |||
| - Reduced feed conversion   | |||
| ===Treatment, Prevention, and Control=== | |||
| - Fenbendazole and albendazole are effective against gastrointestinal nematodes   | |||
| - Pasture management and avoiding contaminated feed reduces risk   | |||
| Reference:   | |||
| Rommel, M. et al. (2004). Gastrointestinal helminths in rabbits: epidemiology and control. *Veterinary Parasitology*, 123(1–2), 145–159. DOI: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.10.014 10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.10.014]   | |||
| ==Obeliscoides cuniculi (Stomach Worm)== | |||
| ===Etiology (cause)=== | |||
| Obeliscoides cuniculi inhabits the stomach mucosa of rabbits. Infection occurs via ingestion of larvae in contaminated forage.   | |||
| DOI: [https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4017(84)90117-2 10.1016/0304-4017(84)90117-2]   | |||
| ===Clinical Signs=== | |||
| - Gastritis   | |||
| - Anorexia   | |||
| - Weight loss   | |||
| - Poor body condition   | |||
| ===Treatment, Prevention, and Control=== | |||
| - Benzimidazoles (fenbendazole, albendazole) are effective   | |||
| - Prevent by limiting access to contaminated pastures   | |||
| Reference:   | |||
| Boag, B. (1984). Helminth parasites of wild rabbits in Scotland. *Veterinary Parasitology*, 15(2), 121–127. DOI: [https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4017(84)90117-2 10.1016/0304-4017(84)90117-2]   | |||
| ==Cestodes (Tapeworms: Cittotaenia spp.)== | |||
| ===Etiology (cause)=== | |||
| Cittotaenia spp. infect the small intestine of rabbits. Transmission occurs when rabbits ingest oribatid mites carrying larval stages.   | |||
| DOI: [https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4017(01)00394-8 10.1016/S0304-4017(01)00394-8]   | |||
| ===Clinical Signs=== | |||
| - Usually subclinical   | |||
| - Heavy burdens: weight loss, digestive upset, diarrhea   | |||
| ===Treatment, Prevention, and Control=== | |||
| - Praziquantel is effective against cestodes   | |||
| - Prevent by avoiding access to mite-contaminated pastures   | |||
| Reference:   | |||
| Eira, C. et al. (2001). The prevalence of cestodes in wild and domestic rabbits in Portugal. *Veterinary Parasitology*, 96(4), 227–234. DOI: [https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4017(01)00394-8 10.1016/S0304-4017(01)00394-8] | |||
Latest revision as of 00:26, 18 August 2025
Parasitic Worm Infections in Rabbits[edit | edit source]
Passalurus ambiguus (Pinworm)[edit | edit source]
Etiology (cause)[edit | edit source]
Passalurus ambiguus is the most common nematode in domestic rabbits. Transmission occurs via ingestion of infective eggs shed in feces.
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.03.005
Clinical Signs[edit | edit source]
- Often asymptomatic in light infections - Heavy infections: perianal irritation, scratching, reduced growth rates, occasionally diarrhea
Treatment, Prevention, and Control[edit | edit source]
- Fenbendazole (20 mg/kg orally for 5 days) is effective - Pyrantel pamoate is an alternative treatment - Strict cage hygiene and removal of fecal material to reduce reinfection
Reference: Boag, B. & Thomas, R. (2006). The life cycle and transmission of Passalurus ambiguus in rabbits. *Veterinary Parasitology*, 137(3–4), 347–353. DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.03.005
Trichostrongylus spp. (Stomach Worms)[edit | edit source]
Etiology (cause)[edit | edit source]
Trichostrongylus species infect the stomach and small intestine. Rabbits become infected through ingestion of larvae from contaminated food or bedding.
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.10.014
Clinical Signs[edit | edit source]
- Weight loss - Poor coat quality - Diarrhea in heavy infections - Reduced feed conversion
Treatment, Prevention, and Control[edit | edit source]
- Fenbendazole and albendazole are effective against gastrointestinal nematodes - Pasture management and avoiding contaminated feed reduces risk
Reference: Rommel, M. et al. (2004). Gastrointestinal helminths in rabbits: epidemiology and control. *Veterinary Parasitology*, 123(1–2), 145–159. DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.10.014
Obeliscoides cuniculi (Stomach Worm)[edit | edit source]
Etiology (cause)[edit | edit source]
Obeliscoides cuniculi inhabits the stomach mucosa of rabbits. Infection occurs via ingestion of larvae in contaminated forage.
DOI: 10.1016/0304-4017(84)90117-2
Clinical Signs[edit | edit source]
- Gastritis - Anorexia - Weight loss - Poor body condition
Treatment, Prevention, and Control[edit | edit source]
- Benzimidazoles (fenbendazole, albendazole) are effective - Prevent by limiting access to contaminated pastures
Reference: Boag, B. (1984). Helminth parasites of wild rabbits in Scotland. *Veterinary Parasitology*, 15(2), 121–127. DOI: 10.1016/0304-4017(84)90117-2
Cestodes (Tapeworms: Cittotaenia spp.)[edit | edit source]
Etiology (cause)[edit | edit source]
Cittotaenia spp. infect the small intestine of rabbits. Transmission occurs when rabbits ingest oribatid mites carrying larval stages.
DOI: 10.1016/S0304-4017(01)00394-8
Clinical Signs[edit | edit source]
- Usually subclinical - Heavy burdens: weight loss, digestive upset, diarrhea
Treatment, Prevention, and Control[edit | edit source]
- Praziquantel is effective against cestodes - Prevent by avoiding access to mite-contaminated pastures
Reference: Eira, C. et al. (2001). The prevalence of cestodes in wild and domestic rabbits in Portugal. *Veterinary Parasitology*, 96(4), 227–234. DOI: 10.1016/S0304-4017(01)00394-8
