Just like with dogs and cats; rabbits can be affected by parasites, both inside and out. It’s important to keep up to date with parasite cover to help keep them happy and healthy.

Keeping your rabbit’s living conditions clean can help to reduce the chances of them developing parasite problems, however many types of parasite can be found naturally in the environment, so making sure your pet receives regular preventative parasite treatment should be a normal part of their care. Worm burdens can cause weight loss, diarrhoea and a weakened immune system. Rabbits are intermediate hosts to tapeworms of dogs and foxes, so if you own a dog as well as a rabbit it is advisable to keep the dog wormed too!

Rabbits should be treated at least four times a year against internal parasites and any new rabbits should be kept separate from others and treated for worms as a precaution before being introduced to others.

Fleas

Rabbits have their own species of flea called Spilopsyllus cuniculi, however it is only seen occasionally in pet rabbits. The main concern with this parasite is that it can spread myxomatosis between rabbits. Rabbits can also pick up cat and dog fleas, so if fleas are seen on your rabbit it is important to treat both your rabbit and its environment with suitable products.

Mites

The most common mite in rabbits is Cheyletiella or ‘walking dandruff’. This is usually seen as an area of white scurfy skin, usually on the back or between the shoulder blades. This condition can be treated by your veterinary surgeon, but it is also extremely important for your rabbit to have a thorough examination should mites be discovered, as they may be an early sign of other disease.

Another common mite infection is ear mites, ‘Psoroptes cuniculi’. Ear mites cause crusting, itching and ulcers in the ear canals. Veterinary treatments are available and it is important not to attempt to try to clean the crust from the ears before treatment of the mites is commenced, as this can be extremely painful.

Fungal Infections

‘Ringworm’ occurs in rabbits but it is not common. It is not a worm at all, but a fungal infection usually caused by Trichophyton Mentagraphytes or Microsporum canis. The lesions are usually crusty, inflamed and may cause hair-loss. They may or may not be itchy. Ringworm usually occurs in young rabbits and may be a sign of underlying poor health or poor husbandry. This is a zoonotic disease which means it can be transferred to humans.

Our articles are not a replacement for face-to-face vet advice. It’s important to consult with your vet on a regular basis to raise any pet concerns that you may have.