To Worm or Not to Worm
by Debbie Vigue
If your rabbits are exposed to the elements or to other rabbits when you show, you might want to consider worming. You can't always tell simply by looking at a rabbit if he has worms. Some may look fine while others give telltale signs of unthriftiness, poor coat or weight loss.
I had never wormed my rabbits or felt there was a need to, because of the wire environment they were kept in. Also, they all appeared to be in good health with shiny, dense coats and well fleshed bodies. Then, I attended the Columbus '92 ARBA Convention and changed my mind.
While judging Holland Lops, a judge, was heard to say, "is there anyone who hasn't seen worms on a rabbit?" I stepped forward for a closer look. While holding the rabbit on its back, the judge pulled back on the rabbit's tail. This exposed the undulating worms emerging from this poor animal's anus. Unpoetically, it reminded me of sea anemones - the same type of clear whitish strings moving back and forth in slow motion. He stated that either the rabbit had been recently wormed or else it had an extremely bad case of worms. I chose not to ponder either. My thoughts focused on the fact that this rabbit was being returned to the sitting position on the same carpet my best animals were to go across. That is one of the chances you take when showing; the least concession being that this condition is curable - unlike snuffles.
Since that convention, I have started occasionally worming my Hollands. I've even taken in a fecal sample to the vet and gotten the report that all was well. My opinion is that yes, there is a reason to worm your rabbits if you show. If your animals are kept on wire, not shown, and live in a more or less closed herd, you probably don't need to worm.
I worm the rabbits orally with Ivomec (Ivermectin), bovine strength with 0.10 cc, the recommended dose for a three to four pound rabbit. I have heard from several breeders that a subcutaneous injection sometimes burns a rabbit's skin, and they may scream. The rabbits here haven't experienced any side effects and do not go off feed at all. I've used two methods for administering a dose. I squirt the measured amount onto a 25 cent piece size of bread, squish it together like a sandwich and put it in their food dish. A more surefire way, in case they drop the small bread piece thru the cage wire onto the floor/pan and go unmedicated. Or I hold the bunny on its back and squirt the minute measured amount into its mouth. Most just, lick their lips. It takes only a second, and you know they're done - way easier than tattooing! But that's another can of worms, so to speak.
I had never wormed my rabbits or felt there was a need to, because of the wire environment they were kept in. Also, they all appeared to be in good health with shiny, dense coats and well fleshed bodies. Then, I attended the Columbus '92 ARBA Convention and changed my mind.
While judging Holland Lops, a judge, was heard to say, "is there anyone who hasn't seen worms on a rabbit?" I stepped forward for a closer look. While holding the rabbit on its back, the judge pulled back on the rabbit's tail. This exposed the undulating worms emerging from this poor animal's anus. Unpoetically, it reminded me of sea anemones - the same type of clear whitish strings moving back and forth in slow motion. He stated that either the rabbit had been recently wormed or else it had an extremely bad case of worms. I chose not to ponder either. My thoughts focused on the fact that this rabbit was being returned to the sitting position on the same carpet my best animals were to go across. That is one of the chances you take when showing; the least concession being that this condition is curable - unlike snuffles.
Since that convention, I have started occasionally worming my Hollands. I've even taken in a fecal sample to the vet and gotten the report that all was well. My opinion is that yes, there is a reason to worm your rabbits if you show. If your animals are kept on wire, not shown, and live in a more or less closed herd, you probably don't need to worm.
I worm the rabbits orally with Ivomec (Ivermectin), bovine strength with 0.10 cc, the recommended dose for a three to four pound rabbit. I have heard from several breeders that a subcutaneous injection sometimes burns a rabbit's skin, and they may scream. The rabbits here haven't experienced any side effects and do not go off feed at all. I've used two methods for administering a dose. I squirt the measured amount onto a 25 cent piece size of bread, squish it together like a sandwich and put it in their food dish. A more surefire way, in case they drop the small bread piece thru the cage wire onto the floor/pan and go unmedicated. Or I hold the bunny on its back and squirt the minute measured amount into its mouth. Most just, lick their lips. It takes only a second, and you know they're done - way easier than tattooing! But that's another can of worms, so to speak.