CONTRIBUTOR(S): Claire Speight, Caroline Blake,
Pinworm infestation
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Pinworms are a type of roundworm (nematode) and commonly found in pet rabbits. Termed as an endoparasite, they live inside rabbits’ intestines.
Pinworms in rabbit feces ©Narelle Walter
What are pinworms?
Passalurus ambiguus are small worms which live in the intestines of rabbits. Low levels can go undetected and don’t usually cause any ill effects. However, they can cause problems in young rabbits or if their numbers increase to high levels.
What are the signs of an infestation?
Clinical signs include poor condition, poor weight gain/weight loss, anorexia, lethargy and diarrhea in rabbits with a high burden of pinworms. The small white worms may be seen in the droppings or around the anus of the rabbit, these may also cause the rabbit to scratch or bite at its back end.
How are they diagnosed?
The eggs and adults are passed out in the infected rabbit’s droppings. This can infect another rabbit if they ingest the eggs from contaminated food (commonly on grass) or by eating the infested feces. They are more common when lots of rabbits are in close proximity, such as breeders, rescue centers or anywhere with poor environmental hygiene. The pinworm has a short and direct life cycle of approximately 18 days.
How are they treated?
Not all rabbits who have pinworms will need treatment and it should only be considered if there are concerning clinical signs present, alongside a positive fecal result. Routine deworming is not recommended and if undertaken can increase the possibility of resistance to the drugs used as treatment. Fenbendazole is the treatment of choice, and it is advisable to have a second fecal sample analyzed seven days after the last dose of medication to see if the treatment has worked. Environmental management is imperative and if hygiene is lacking, this will need to be improved. All droppings must be removed more frequently. Rabbits who do not live together should not share grazing areas and these should be changed on a regular basis. Re-infestation commonly happens as rabbits eat their cecotrophs and re-infect themselves, so even after treatment the rabbit may have repeated episodes.
Are they life threatening?
In very young rabbits with heavy infestations, they can prove to be very serious, so contacting your veterinarian and taking your rabbit in for treatment is imperative.
Can they infect humans?
Humans can get pinworms, but they are not the same ones that infect rabbits. People can’t become infected with rabbit pinworms, so this isn’t something you need to worry about.