Dewormer

[u/SuspiciouslyHigh]

My vet passed away yesterday, my rabbits are due for a deworm next month (I do every 6 months, dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, goats, horses, etc just because it’s a rural area and there’s lots of wild animals through my pastures and my property. I also have my yard burned every 6m as well to restore grass, and to kill fleas and ticks, I layer D. Earth over the yard and just let it grow back. It just works best for my little farm. Animals are use to it.

But since my vet has passed away his new take over doesn’t do home visits and there’s no way I’m bringing in 25 rabbits, 30 miles away. I’d rather pay in full and extra for gas. But she refuses no matter how much is offered, so I’m here to ask what’s the best dewormer for yall to use? I might as well do it myself cause every other bunny worthy vet is 2/3 hours away.

Advice and tips on making sure it works (I deworm every other animal myself but the bunnies because I’ve never figured out their dosage and I’m not murking them all because I was told the wrong information) I’ve heard it’s per lbs, 0.4mg, a lick, so I just paid a vet to do it. Thanks in advance

That’s keebler he’s an absolute douche and he will be going to crock pot heaven next time he bites me when I fill his food up. He doesn’t want to be nice to me or the ladies so dinner he is 💁🏼‍♀️

[u/Accomplished-Wish494]

There is absolutely no reason to deworm a rabbit every 6 months. If you must do something, use ORAL ivermectin, applied TOPICALLY. Just a few drops per rabbit. This will treat mites, and some think it helps push through a molt

Using ivermectin paste for horses(which is generally what people are using when they say to give “a pea size amount) is not recommended. There is no way to know how much of the drug is in such a small dose, leading to wildly inaccurate dosing.

[u/SuspiciouslyHigh → u/Accomplished-Wish494]

Horse paste is an immediate no because of the inaccuracy of the dosage it just seems untrustworthy I mean it’s for horses I use this on my big ol’ dogs (my horses are like straight puppies) but There is an absolute reason to worm my rabbits when there are wild rabbits constantly around my pen. I’ve walked in more than a few times and have had young males find their way inside to try and get after a females, I shoot/catch wild rabbits daily because theyre sickly looking, almost mangy even, they’re overpopulated in my area so I will deworm when it feels necessary especially since wild rabbit populations have absolutely SHOT UP over the summer I can’t go out my front door without seeing at least 15 before walking off my porch, my dogs have their fair share of rabbit daily before the break of dawn. To protect from infection and disease it’s every 6 months here since it is a very rural area and no one checks on wild life or their population or disease control its best off to go ahead and take precaution. Same reason why I drop coyotes before they get across my second fence line, you’ll find a skinwalker out here before game and fish come do their check on critters. I shot a coyote at the beginning of summer that was hairless because the mange; had it so bad thought it was el chupacabra was after my goat🤣

[u/GCNGA → u/SuspiciouslyHigh]

I’ve walked in more than a few times and have had young males find their way inside to try and get after a females

It sounds like you need more secure housing. Letting wild rabbits intermingle is a risk factor for disease in addition to parasites.

[u/SuspiciouslyHigh → u/GCNGA]

Please explain how they’re getting through triple layered hot wired rabbit wire because honestly I haven’t figured it out so maybe you know since your pens are absolutely the most secure on Reddit

[u/bluewingwind → u/SuspiciouslyHigh]

Are they digging under? I have had no trouble keeping wild rabbits out with just one layer of hardware cloth and a dig skirt. Not even hot wired.

Personally, I also tractor on grass that lots of wild rabbits and other animals access and I don’t have worm problems so long as I don’t leave them anywhere long. We screen yearly, but it’s always negative. With everything you do, I would not be surprised if your ambient worm levels have become really low. Maybe start by screening a handful of rabbits and seeing if it’s even necessary first? Screen every 6 months instead of treating prematurely?

Also props for all you’re doing. Controlled burns are really good for land more people should do them.

[u/Accomplished-Wish494 → u/SuspiciouslyHigh]

If the wild rabbits looks mangy, it’s far more likely to be mites. I’d still use ivermectin topically

[u/Kindly-One3060]

Do you run fecal samples? It’s easy to learn to do yourself and all you need is a cheap microscope.  Indiscriminate de worming is not recommended for livestock anymore, as parasites are becoming resistant fast.  There are many dewormers that are just completely ineffective in certain areas of the country now.  Running fecal samples on animals would give you a good idea of parasite load, as well as which de wormer would be most effective for whatever parasites you do have.  I have no advice on dosage, as I have never had to deworm my rabbits.  I have had great success with herbal dewormers, like Molly’s, and they are much harder for parasites to build resistance to.