Parasites
All of these can be prevented from
proper sanitation.
Worms
Pin worms, Tapeworms, Whipworms,
these all rarely show signs. If there
are signs, it's poor flesh
condition and growth rate. In whipworms, the feces
have blood on them. Pin worms will show by having little flecks of white specs in the feces. I use Wazine/Piperazine as a preventative measure against Pin Worms. Diarrhea
is also a sign. The use of a wormer and strict
sanitation is the only way
to prevent, cure this. Also keep other animals out of the hutch.
Fly Strike
The flies lay their eggs on anything
that's decaying or a cut on a rabbit. The eggs turn to maggots and only
in hours begin to feed on the animal and kill it. Cleaning the rabbit pens
will prevent fly problems. Also dead babies in nest boxes also attract
flies, so check your boxes.
The flies are attracted to any
damp area, so try to keep things dry and clean, and the area should be
free of weeds. If there's a compost pile, move it far away from the hutch
or cover it up with a tarp. Once a rabbit has fly strike, the wounds need
to be cleaned and disinfected. Apply antibiotic ointment and keep the rabbit
inside. Clean the area he/she was in and check anyone else for fly strike.
External Parasites
There are 5 external parasites:
1. "Warbles" have these signs:
swelling or an isolated "lump" around the neck and/or shoulders. This shouldn't
be confused with an abcess. This is from a Botfly. I would advise to take
a rabbit with this to a vet so the parasite can be removed. Keep flies
out of the hutch.
2. Loss of hair in a circular pattern
is a sign of Ring Worm. It is more common on the feet and legs on young
rabbits, and for adults it can be anywhere. It is a fungus that IS contagious
to humans. I suggest to cull these animals, but if you want to save it,
isolate him from the herd and treat him with iodine on the infected area(s).
3. Fur loss around the face, neck
and back are a sign of fur mites. Cat flea powder can be used to kill them.
4. Mange Mite Infestation causes
the rabbit to scratch itself constantly, and it often leads to head trama
from shaking its head. Loss of hair on the chin, head, neck and base of
the ears are also present. You're supposed to treat it with 7.5% Chloroform
& 0.12% Rotenone or 0.5% Malathion containing dust. I would seek out
a vet first.
5. Ear Mites (Ear canker) is infecting
the rabbit if its shaking its head, and scratching its ears and has a scabby
formation inside the ears. Use oil in the ear for 3 days to kill them.
Treat both ears, even if only one is infected.
Coccidiosis
This
is a parasite that attacks the digestive tract. There are 2 forms. The
first is the Intestinal
Form. The signs are Diarrhea, poor weight gain, poor
flesh and fur condition,
and is pot bellied. The second form is the Hepatic
Form. The signs are Diarrhea,
poor flesh and fur condition and large white
spots on the liver. The treatment
for both forms is the use of coccidicide on
a regular
basis. To prevent this, you must use excellent sanitation.
Abnormal Parasite
This is a migration of parasite
larva in the central nervous system. There are no signs until the rabbit
is paralyzed. There is no treatment, and it's best to but the rabbit down,
rather to have it live in a vegetable state. The prevention is controlling
urine contamination in the rabbitry.