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Rabbit Parasite

22 9:57:19

Question
Our pet rabbit has been acting sluggish.  She has had clumpy pellets and then recently diahrea.  The food has not changed.  I washed her but today because of the messy diahrea and when I died her with a paper towel the area that was all dirty had loads of these tiny worms that crawled around at a good pace.  They are about 2-3 mm and move by stretching and contracting.  What are they?  Can the kids be infected?  Treatment?
Thanks

Answer
Dear Michael,

I cannot see the rabbit to be sure, but this sounds terribly like fly strike.  Your rabbit's messy bottom attracted flies, which laid eggs.  She is now infested with maggots that are eating her alive.  This is NOT contagious, but it is DEADLY and you must get her to a rabbit vet NOW NOW NOW.

Waste not another moment.  Have someone call while you douse the affected areas with FULL STRENGTH POVIDONE IODINE.  This will cause the maggots to flee, and you can hold her maggot-filled areas under warm, running water while you scrape as many maggots out as possible.  

Your bunny will need subcutaneous fluids, probably antibiotics, and other supportive care.  If the tissue damage is extensive, there are good treatments, and the bunny should NOT be euthanized.  We have healed rabbits with horrible, extensive fly strike damage by using artificial skin such as Tegaderm, and the vet should have access to such products.

This will require long-term care for a few weeks until she is fully well, but THIS IS AN EXTREME EMERGENCY, AND YOU MUST GET HER TO A VET IMMEDIATELY, NO WAITING!!!

Find a vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Once she's back from the vet, please write back for further instructions on continuing care, but I will not waste another moment now.  GET HER TO THE VET!!!!

Dana