RexyRex
Well-Known Member
Hi everyone! I'm hoping that someone can give me an idea of what to look for in Alaska as we treat a case of tapeworms. I'll give you the back story...
Alaska has been going through a very bad moult, so last Friday I started giving her Petromalt to help with all of the hair. By Sunday, she had moving worms in her poops :shock:. I immediately freaked out and called the vet first thing on Monday morning for an appointment. I should add that I put those droppings in a baggie to take to the vet with us. She and Gixxer both were seen that afternoon. The vet did a "float" on both Alaska's and Gixxer's poop. Alaska has tapeworms, Gixxer does not. The vet was so shocked to see tapeworms like this that she took pictures of the samples that I gave her for her records. She has only seen a bunny tapeworm one other time in her career and that was when she was operating on what she thought was a tumor, turns out it was an abcess on the intestine with a tapeworm inside the abcess that had been twisting around in the intestine and caused the abcess. Bunny survived and is doing well so that's good news!
I've only had Alaska since July so the vet feels that she had this worm before I got her since they take months to develop to the stage where eggs are hatch and babies are coming out. That makes me feel a little bit better because I was feeling extremely guilty thinking that she got this parasite under my care. Here are my questions (if you stuck with me through all of that THANK YOU):
- Alaska has had this tapeworm most if not all of her life. Strangely enough, she is not anorexic and has grown some since I have had her. She weighs approx. 4.5lbs. Will she grow more after the tapeworm dies? Or has the worm possibly stunted her growth?
- Their treatment is 1/2 tablet of Droncit Monday night, and another treatment next Wednesday. She is still pooping worms, but they are all dead. My vet said that I shouldn't need to have a follow-up appointment, but I think that I should about a week after their last treatment, just to make sure everything is gone. If for nothing else but my piece of mind. What do you guys think?
If anyone else has dealt with this I would love to hear your experiences. One more thing...Alaska had a full check up in August and another one in October before her spay. Tapeworms don't show up on a fecal exam so she got a clean bill of health both times. She had started to "calm down" after her spay and I thought that was the reason why, her hormones were leaving. Turns out she was probably lethargic due to the tapeworm. I say that because she's been a holy terror the past two nights! Into everything like she was when I first brought her home. Just another reason to take note of even subtle changes in your rabbit's behavior. Thanks for taking the time to read this long post
Alaska has been going through a very bad moult, so last Friday I started giving her Petromalt to help with all of the hair. By Sunday, she had moving worms in her poops :shock:. I immediately freaked out and called the vet first thing on Monday morning for an appointment. I should add that I put those droppings in a baggie to take to the vet with us. She and Gixxer both were seen that afternoon. The vet did a "float" on both Alaska's and Gixxer's poop. Alaska has tapeworms, Gixxer does not. The vet was so shocked to see tapeworms like this that she took pictures of the samples that I gave her for her records. She has only seen a bunny tapeworm one other time in her career and that was when she was operating on what she thought was a tumor, turns out it was an abcess on the intestine with a tapeworm inside the abcess that had been twisting around in the intestine and caused the abcess. Bunny survived and is doing well so that's good news!
I've only had Alaska since July so the vet feels that she had this worm before I got her since they take months to develop to the stage where eggs are hatch and babies are coming out. That makes me feel a little bit better because I was feeling extremely guilty thinking that she got this parasite under my care. Here are my questions (if you stuck with me through all of that THANK YOU):
- Alaska has had this tapeworm most if not all of her life. Strangely enough, she is not anorexic and has grown some since I have had her. She weighs approx. 4.5lbs. Will she grow more after the tapeworm dies? Or has the worm possibly stunted her growth?
- Their treatment is 1/2 tablet of Droncit Monday night, and another treatment next Wednesday. She is still pooping worms, but they are all dead. My vet said that I shouldn't need to have a follow-up appointment, but I think that I should about a week after their last treatment, just to make sure everything is gone. If for nothing else but my piece of mind. What do you guys think?
If anyone else has dealt with this I would love to hear your experiences. One more thing...Alaska had a full check up in August and another one in October before her spay. Tapeworms don't show up on a fecal exam so she got a clean bill of health both times. She had started to "calm down" after her spay and I thought that was the reason why, her hormones were leaving. Turns out she was probably lethargic due to the tapeworm. I say that because she's been a holy terror the past two nights! Into everything like she was when I first brought her home. Just another reason to take note of even subtle changes in your rabbit's behavior. Thanks for taking the time to read this long post
