{"id":1435389,"date":"2018-01-01T12:00:50","date_gmt":"2018-01-01T11:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging-wp-int.laboklin.com\/intestinal-parasites-in-rabbits-and-guinea-pigs\/"},"modified":"2024-07-24T12:46:08","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T10:46:08","slug":"intestinal-parasites-in-rabbits-and-guinea-pigs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/dk\/intestinal-parasites-in-rabbits-and-guinea-pigs\/","title":{"rendered":"Intestinal parasites in rabbits and guinea pigs"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]Dental disease and inappropriate feeding are common causes of diarrhoea. Parasites, in contrast, play a smaller role in pets. However, some parasites may occur more commonly depending on the type of husbandry and age of the animals (larger collections, breeders, outdoor enclosures, juvenile animals). While young animals often develop clinical signs when they are infested, adults may only develop notable changes in cases of severe parasitism. Parasite infestation can, however, lead to changes and disruptions in the intestinal environment. Increased growth of yeasts (Fig. 1) or bacterial secondary infections (e.g. with Clostridia, E. coli) can be a result and can cause intestinal disease.<\/p>\n

Parasites of rabbits<\/h2>\n

Protozoa<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Coccidia
\n<\/u>Various Eimeria<\/em> species can infest the intestine or bile ducts of rabbits. Young rabbits are particularly susceptible to intestinal coccidiosis, and infestation in these animals can be associated with high mortality. Infestations can spread epidemically within collections. Adult animals can be clinically inapparent shedders. In addition to diarrhoea, animals can develop bloat and appear dull and lose their appetite. In bile duct coccidiosis, severe infestation leads to a reduction in liver function. Affected animals are apathetic, lose weight, and are constipated. Some animals may also develop fever and become icteric.<\/p>\n

Treatment
\n<\/em>Treatment of coccidiosis is carried out with toltrazuril (10 mg\/kg once daily per os for 3 days, repeat after 3 days). Sulfonamides such as sulfadimethoxine can also be used, but are often less effective than toltrazuril.<\/p>\n

Giardia
\n<\/u>Giardia infections are rare in rabbits. The occasional diarrhoea is usually slimy and has a light colouration. Detection via SAF is preferable to the flotation method. Coproantigen ELISAs are even more sensitive.<\/p>\n

Treatment
\n<\/em>Fenbendazole (20 mg\/kg once daily per os) or metronidazole (10-20 mg\/kg twice daily per os) can be used in infected rabbits for at least 5 days.<\/p>\n

Nematodes<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Of the nematodes, Passalurus ambiguus<\/em> (pinworm) is most common (Fig. 2). Animals often only develop clinical signs (diarrhoea, bloat, colicky abdominal pain, anal itching) if they are severely parasitized. Normal faecal exams can be false negative. In suspected cases it is therefore prudent to prepare a cellophane tape impression of the anus, since eggs are laid on the rectal and anal mucosa and on the surface of faecal pellets.<\/p>\n

Stronglyus<\/u>-type eggs can also be found in the faeces, and can be from Graphidium strigosum<\/em> or Trichostrongylus retortaeformis<\/em>. Like Strongyloide<\/em>s spp. and Trichuris leporis<\/em>, these parasites play a subordinate role in pets. Animals can be infected by feeding greens that have been contaminated by wild rabbits or field hares, or by the use of outdoor enclosures. Young animals are mostly affected with diarrhoea, dullness, and inappentence.<\/p>\n

Treatment
\n<\/em>Animals with nematode infestations can be treated with (pro-) benzimidazoles like fenbendazole (20 mg\/kg once daily per os for 5 days, repeat after 14 days), mebendazole (20 mg\/kg once daily per os for 3-5 days, repeat after 14 days), or febantel (10 mg\/kg once daily per os for 3 days, repeat after 14 days). Subcutaneous administration of ivermectin (0.3-0.5 mg\/kg) or doramectin (0.5 mg\/kg) repeating after 7-14 days is also possible.<\/p>\n

Cestodes<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Tapeworm infestations are rare in wild rabbits, and even rarer in pet rabbits. Tapeworms in the family Anoplocephalidae (Fig. 3) are transmitted by oribatida (moss or beetle mites), which are intermediate hosts. Clinical signs are found mostly in juveniles or in cases of mass infestations.<\/p>\n

Treatment
\n<\/em>Praziquantel (one treatment with 10 mg\/kg per os or subcutaneously, repeat after 10-14 days) can be used to treat tapeworm infestations.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t