You may think they're completely safe in their hutch, but rabbits can actually pick up all kinds of parasites like mites, fleas, and worms. These parasites can also spread diseases, which is why parasite control is so important.
To ensure the long-term health and wellbeing of your pet and your family, it is essential that you routinely use proven, preventative treatments against the most common parasites throughout your pet’s life. Remember that prevention is much easier and cost effective than cure.
Fleas and Mites
Fleas are one of the most common external parasites in pets and are the cause of skin irritation as well as other problems. Although you may think you only see the occasional flea on your pet and that it's not a problem, they are actually continually shedding eggs in your rabbit's home and can lead to a home flea infestation. Flea bites to you and your family can be costly and complicated to treat. Plus, since the adult flea can stay in its cocoon for up to 6 months before it emerges treating fleas can be a long and costly process.
Although fleas are small, they can make your pet miserable and cause big problems. Once on your pet, fleas can bite every 5 minutes leaving your pet itchy and uncomfortable. You only need to bring one flea inside your home to start an infestation. A single female flea can produce enough eggs to quickly escalate the problem to a full-blown infestation in your home.
Fleas live on a variety of animals such rabbits and hedgehogs, as well as cats and dogs. When your pet is outdoors, fleas from the eggs left behind by other animals can jump on your pet. Once on your pet, they feed on his or her blood and start laying eggs.
Treating your pet with our vet recommended treatment plan will effectively kill fleas and disrupt their life cycle.
All About Worms
Various worms can infect your pets, and they can also pose a threat to your family. This is because your family can accidentally ingest worm eggs that have been passed through your pet’s faeces. The eggs can then hatch in your intestinal tract, and the worms can travel to various tissues in the body, including the eyes and brain, potentially causing serious infections.
Worms that target pets include roundworms, hookworms, lungworms, and tapeworms, and they are prolific across the United Kingdom. Certain worm types can produce more than 100,000 eggs per day, which are then passed in the pet’s faeces and spread throughout their living environment.
Worms are a year-round threat and the only way to make sure you keep your pet and family safe is through proactive actions to get the best products. Lungworm, which is passed on by slugs and snails, is potentially fatal and many over the counter products do not tackle this worrying parasite.
Please be aware that many products available elsewhere other than sold at Blythwood Vets may be ineffective at treating all the species of worms and fleas your pet could get. There are many ranges of worming treatments available including tablets, liquids, granules and spot-ons.
Hazards in the Community
Fleas, worms, mites, and other parasites live in the grass. These parasites not only harm your pets themselves, but they also pass on diseases. In fact, in rabbits, fleas can pass on a serious disease called myxomatosis.
If you're worried about keeping your rabbit safe Blythwood Vets recommend preventative measures to keep parasites under control and stop them from becoming a problem.
For further information contact us today!
