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Roundworm?

Hi, I'm new to the forum and I just wondered whether you could give me some advice. I was really worried about my house rabbit, Phoebe, on Sunday because all day she didn't seem herself. She just kept lying down stretched out - like she usually would when she's relaxed - but she was doing it all the time and so she obviously had a tummy ache. Her tummy felt quite gassy and was gurgling. She didn't eat anything all day or night so I rang the vet first thing Monday morning.

Then on Monday afternoon she seemed quite a lot better and even ate a tiny bit of celery and she was running around like normal again. But as we were getting ready to go to the vet I noticed that she pooed and there was a long worm like thing coming out of her. I'm afraid I do not know of any vets specialising in rabbits and I just wanted to know whether you have heard of this condition in rabbits and whether the symptoms she has would all be down to a roundworm infestation? She has been prescribed Panacur 3mls a day for 5 days, does this sound reasonable? She also has some Bio-Lapis for her water.

She's an agora and I was so worried that she was suffering from woolblock but would the worms explain all of her symptoms?

Any comments/advice would be very welcome!
 
Are you in the UK?

The worms rabbits usually get here in the UK are known as pinworms. They are short (about a cm long), white and wriggly when alive. It's rare for rabbits to get other worms, but possible if you keep other animals such as cats or dogs.

What you're describing sounds more like muccous coming out of the anus. This means the rabbit is not well. It's usually a sign of gastric illness, but not always, rabbits often show signs of other general illness through their droppings.

Hope your bunny gets better

Amy
 
Yes I'm in the UK. I do have dogs and a cat too.

It definately doesn't sound like a pinworm, it was very long. I have looked roundworm up on the internet and it looks just like those in the pictures. She also has the same symptoms as puppies get from roundworm, ie loss of appetite, lethargy, stomach ache. But I have never heard of rabbits having roundworm before which is why I'm so surprised.

She's started eating again which I'm really pleased about but still not as much as she usually eats. She's just had her first dose of medicine. It's Panacur for dogs and cats.
 
Despite what the name implies ringworm is not actually a worm but is caused by a fungal infection and can by caught by Rabbits from contaminated hay, soil, cats or even from humans.

It is called ringworm because of the ring shaped cuts/sores seen on humans who have the infection. However in rabbits (just to be awkward) it looks different :roll: Ringworm in buns is not rings! - instead it appears as sores which are very ithcy and are normally found on the head and in that general area.

You will need to take your bun to the vet so they can identify it as ringworm and not just an ordinary wound or a sore caused through another infection/source.

Your vet will be able to advise you of treatment options. Ringworm can be treated in a couple of ways. You can apply an antifungal cream direct to the affected area or alternati vely your vet may decide that a course of antifungal medicine given by mouth may be the best option. Bad news is that treatment for fungal infections is not a quick fix thing and can take a few weeks.

You will also need to take care as well as ringworm can be transferred from your bun to yourself so you will need to be careful when handling your bun until the lesions have cleared.

I hope this helps :D
 
Thanks for the advice but its actually roundworm (not ringworm) that we think she has. I know ringworm is more common in rabbits but have you ever heard of roundworm in rabbits?
 
Oops sorry was actually thinking about your rabbits symptoms and got caught up.

I would be very surprised if your rabbit has roundworm - this lives in the intestines of the animal and usually there are no symptoms.

Have you examined your rabbit's stools for any signs of worms. It may sound gross but if you look closely you may be able to see tiny white things moving in the poos - your vet would be able to make a distinction between Round or Tape worm from the type of worm they see.

Your vet will be able to advise you on what is best when you have seen the worms - Panacur would work for roundworm but if it is tapeworm them something like Droncit would be more appropriate.

It may well be that it was mucus coming from your rabbits anus however without seeing it, it is very difficult to tell. The fact your vet has prescribed panacur would suggest that they think it is worms.

PLease keep us informed as to what type of worm (if any) your vet thinks it is.
 
Yes when I told the vet she was very surprised and didn't think it would be round/tape worm but when she saw it she thought it looked like roundworm. She doesn't specialise in rabbits and I wondered whether anyone has heard of roundworm in rabbits before?

I haven't seen any more evidence of worms since Monday. She seems to much better than she was so I'm feeling much happier but I'm just a bit confused as I've never heard of this condition in rabbits before. She's taking the Panacur so if it is simply a case of roundworm she should be completely better at the end of the 5 day course. Fingers crossed!
 
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