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Coccidiosis in rabbits – intestinal parasites that cause diarrhoea

One of the most common diseases in rabbits is coccidiosis. Coccidiosis is an infection caused by parasites (coccidia) in the intestines. Contamination is possible through eating grass and hay in the rabbit pen that harbours the eggs (oocysts) of these parasites. While rabbits with a healthy immune system will not be affected by them, young rabbits or adults with a compromised immunity can become very ill. In this article you will find out more about the symptoms and treatment of coccidiosis in rabbits.

Coccidiosis in rabbits

What are coccidia?

One of the most common diseases in rabbits is coccidiosis. Coccidiosis is an infection caused by parasites (coccidia) in the intestines. Contamination is possible through eating grass and hay in the rabbit pen that harbours the eggs (oocysts) of these parasites. While rabbits with a healthy immune system will not be affected by them, young rabbits or adults with a compromised immunity can become very ill. In this article you will find out more about the symptoms and treatment of coccidiosis in rabbits.

What are the symptoms of coccidiosis in rabbits?

Diarrhoea is the first thing noticeable on a rabbit that has coccidiosis, though this does not necessarily have to be a symptom. Rabbits can also have the condition without diarrhoea. One typically sees the first symptoms arise following a stressful situation; for example, when rabbits are transported, with temperature fluctuations or when their pen is dirty. But also in the absence of a stressful situation coccidiosis is possible when the rabbit has a reduced immunity and comes into contact with one of the Eimeria coccidia. In some cases, it is very difficult to establish coccidiosis without a stool analysis. All possible symptoms of coccidiosis in rabbits are listed below:

  • Diarrhoea
  • Watery stool
  • Gas attacks
  • Distended abdomen
  • Yellowish colour
  • Blocked intestines
  • Wet droppings
  • Emaciation
  • Stressed and fearful
  • Reduced appetite

Clean stool analysis, but still coccidiosis

A veterinarian can perform a stool analysis on the rabbit’s droppings to test for the presence of oocysts, which are conglomerated coccidia eggs. But the test will only be positive if there are many oocysts in the stool. This is why sometimes, despite a clean stool analysis, a rabbit will still suddenly get a lot sicker. When in doubt, it is in any case always recommended to optimise intestinal health with a natural product.

Treating coccidiosis in rabbits

No antibiotics or similar products exist that kill coccidia. There is, however, a medicine that inhibits the life cycle of coccidia, called Toltrazuril. That’s why it is critical to start treatment as soon as possible. The more coccidia, the more eggs will have been deposited in the intestines and the longer treatment will take. However, this medicine also has an effect on the good bacteria in the intestines. It is therefore important that the rabbits’ immunity systems improve so that they are better able to fight the infection on their own.

Make sure to always combine a treatment with a supportive treatment for intestinal health. After all, the better the intestinal health, the faster the body is able to resolve the coccidiosis on its own. Finendo+ Cox & Worm is recommended. Furthermore, it’s also recommended to clean the rabbit pen daily in case of sickness, as there will be eggs in the droppings that could be retransferred to the rabbit.

Preventing coccidiosis in rabbits

The better a rabbit’s intestinal health, the lower the chance of coccidiosis. When the intestinal wall is sufficiently thick, the coccidia will be less able to establish themselves. Rabbit intestinal health is best supported with herbs and essential oils, so that the beneficial intestinal bacteria are encouraged to reproduce. These beneficial bacteria also play a large role in preventing coccidiosis.

Finendo Cox & Worm

Finendo Cox & Worm is specially developed to optimise intestinal health in rabbits and chickens. It inhibits the development of intestinal parasites and supports the animal’s natural immunity. It is a liquid solution to mix in with the drinking water. Make sure to refresh the drinking water with Finendo Cox & Worm daily.

Finendo Cox & Worm (chickens – birds – rabbits)
Finendo Cox & Worm (chickens – birds – rabbits)
  • For coccidiosis and intestinal problems in chickens, birds and rabbits.
  • Eggs can be eaten during and after treatment
  • No effect on the taste and quality of the eggs
  • 100% natural, contains no poison
  • Preventive and curative usable
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