Rabbits can happily live with worms in their gut. It is actually beneficial for them. It is only when the worms become an issue that you should consider worming your rabbit.


Passalurus ambiguus

This is the main type of pin worm that rabbits have. It is not a significant worm although it upsets owners. According to veterinarians, you do not have to worry about this worm.

Most breeders will have an infestation of Passalurus ambiguus in their rabbitry, this is natural and very common worldwide.

Rabbits get Passalurus ambiguus from drinking contaminated water and food.

The adult worm lives in the ceacum or anterior colon.

Vets can tell if your rabbit has these pinworms if they examine the feces, or during a necropsy. That is when they can see the adult worms.

Worm treatments are not effective because the life cycle of the pinworm is so fast and rabbits can become infected again within hours. Proper prevention is to decontaminate the rabbitry completely and thoroughly.

Pinworms do not show any clinical signs, you will not know if your rabbit has them or not.

Rabbit pinworms are not transmissible to humans.