Mary Allen
Controlling parasites is a constant challenge for rabbit keepers. A paradigm shift is now emerging: Instead of drug treatment, the aim is to promote the development of a strengthened immune system.
According to Chapter 2 of the Animal Welfare Ordinance: “Animal husbandry and handling of animals”, Article 5 states the following: “Care is intended to prevent diseases and injuries. The animal owner is responsible for ensuring that sick or injured animals are housed, cared for, and treated or killed immediately according to their condition.» However, animal-loving carers do not want to let it get that far and want to keep the parasites in check with appropriate means.
Parasites that attack rabbits as ectoparasites (mites, fleas, etc.) or as endoparasites (coccidia, worms, etc.) are not only a nuisance but also a constant threat to the animals.
The opinion used to be that the animals had to be completely free of parasites. Nowadays it’s no longer like that. In the past, absolutely parasite-free animal husbandry was not feasible despite the increased use of medicines – and it will not be so in the future either.
Control New Animals
The German veterinarian Markus Menzel says: “Our goal must be to allow a low level of parasite infestation, which continuously stimulates the body’s own immune system. At the same time, however, we have to take precautions to ensure that there are no massive infections that cause clinical symptoms.”
Experts assume that animals with a light parasite infestation should be so severe that they do not become ill. A moderate infestation must be assessed individually. Criteria such as breeding value, age, and state of health are to be considered. Veterinary treatment is indicated for a seriously ill animal.
If we detect a minimal parasite infestation in an animal stock, we cannot breathe a sigh of relief. The exchange of animals in rabbit husbandry is high, so there is a risk of new infections. It is therefore worth taking a stool sample from newly arrived animals.
With frequent worm treatment, the development of resistance is a major problem, which has been confirmed in horses, sheep, and goats in the past. It was also shown that stressed rabbits are more likely to get sick than balanced ones. This fact can be explained well: When the immune system is overwhelmed, a wide variety of pathogens have easier access to the body.
Cleanliness is Essential
The coccidia is mainly known as intestinal dwellers in rabbits and poultry. As single-celled organisms, they thrive in a multi-phase cycle and nest in the intestines and even in the liver. The parasites are present everywhere in the environment. The released oocysts (= the development stage in the life cycle of the coccidia) are very resistant and can survive for several months. If the mother animal is a carrier of the disease, she excretes oocysts (without becoming ill herself) which are ingested by the young animals. Diarrhea can result as a result.
The best recommendation for breeders is a good cleaning of the stables and stable utensils (feeders). With frequent dunging, the path of infection is broken and the young animals come into less contact with the dung. Disinfecting and washing may also contribute to hygiene in the rabbit hutch; but you have to know that disinfection not only eliminates the harmful pathogens, but also the good players are removed by clear-cutting.
Prophylactic feeds with antibiotics are part of coccidia control, but they are not the solution. Especially not if they are administered over a long period of time, making them less effective.