Tapeworm

Question
I've recently adopted a stray rabbit. A few months ago, I found a worm on one of his fecal pellets. We went to the vet the next day and he gave our bun a shot. We went back a few weeks later for a second shot. Our vet had been doing well with Floppy--he fixed the horrible ear mite problem the bun had when we found him and neutered him in November. Last night I found another tapeworm piece on his poop.  Our vet doesn't see alot of rabbits--though he has them as pets.  I believe the shot was a smaller dose of what he would usually give dogs--is this the right way to handle worms in bunnies?  Do I need to find a more rabbit specific vet?  Or is it more likely the original shot worked, but that Floppy reinfected himself somehow?

Thanks for your help.

Answer
Dear Rebecca,

The appropriate medication to give for "worms" depends on the type of worm.  If your vet gave Floppy a shot for the worms, it could have been ivermectin, which is effective against mites and nematodes (roundworms), but not against tapeworms (which are in a completely different Phylum and have entirely different biology from roundworms), or Droncit, which is effective against tapeworms and flukes.

Ivermectin, selamectin, and fenbendazole will work against roundworms.  Of these, the medication of choice is selamectin (brand name, Revolution).  It is a topical medication that can be used once every 30 days.  You can read more here:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/furloss.html

For tapeworms, Droncit (praziquantel) is the more appropriate medication.  You can read more about it at http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_praziquantel.html
There is always a possibility of reinfection of the host, especially if your bunny spends time outdoors where wild rabbits feed.  If he's indoors, then cleaning all his sleeping spots well should take care of the problem.

So if you do see worms in the feces again, then it's time for another treatment.  Revolution lasts about 30 days, so if the problem is roundworms, it really is the best solution for this problem.


I hope this helps.  Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana