The Importance of Rabbit Worming
While it’s much more common to see worms in cats and dogs, rabbit worming is still important for preventing your rabbits from contracting these parasites. Regular worming contributes significantly to a rabbit's overall health and quality of life by:
- Preventing discomfort and pain associated with parasitic infections.
- Ensuring proper nutrient absorption and preventing weight loss.
- Reducing the risk of secondary infections caused by a weakened immune system.
- Minimising the spread of parasites within a rabbit household or community.
Prevent Worms in Rabbits with Rabbit Worming
- Regularly worm any cats and dogs that have access to your rabbit's grazing areas.
- Promptly and routinely clean up after other pets in the garden.
- Exclude foxes from your garden whenever possible. If you find fox faeces, safely pick it up and dispose of it.
- Clean their hutch regularly.
- Rotate your rabbits' grazing areas to prevent parasite buildup.
- Maintain a low rabbit population density if you have multiple rabbits.
- Avoid feeding greens foraged from areas where wild rabbits might have been.
Book an Appointment for Rabbit Worming
How often should I worm my rabbit?
Our vets recommend worming rabbits every 3-6 months, but they can provide a more tailored treatment plan based on your specific breed and environment.
Rabbit Worming Treatment
If you suspect your rabbit has worms, receiving custom pet care is important to get rid of the parasite and prevent your rabbit from falling ill. A simple de-worming program can erase the problem. In more complex cases, they may require alternate methods. Although a lot of rabbits don’t need regular worming, if your rabbit is more at risk, then having a routine plan can reduce their risk and offer a preventative care method.
Types of Worms to Prevent with Rabbit Worming
While pinworms, stomach worms, and tapeworms are less common or less severe issues for rabbits, preventative worming helps to control these as well, contributing to the rabbit's overall health and well-being.
Pinworms: The most common type of intestinal worm found in rabbits. Symptoms of pinworms in rabbits: dull coat, weight loss despite appetite, itching or discomfort, diarrhoea, visible owmes or eggs in faeces.
Stomach Worms: Stomach worms are relatively rare in pet rabbits in the UK, but they can occasionally occur. Symptoms include: weight loss, poor appetite, vomiting or diarrhoea.
Tape worms: Rabbits can act as intermediate hosts for certain tapeworms, like dogs can. Rabbits don't typically host the adult tapeworm in their intestines but instead develop larval cysts within their bodies. This leads to discomfort, weight loss and interference with organ functions as well s general decline in overall health.
Book an Appointment for Rabbit Worming Treatment & Advice
Leadon Vale Vets offer your rabbits the very best of care with prevention methods, advice and treatment where needed. Book an appointment online today or give the practice a call.. Ensure your bunny stays healthy and happy by booking a worming appointment today.
