When you have rabbits and chickens in the same area, you might have concerns about their biological safety.
This is not always about one attacking the other.
Instead, you will have to think about other elements associated with the process including potential diseases being passed between the two animals. This will lead you to ask, can rabbits get coccidiosis from chickens?
No, rabbits do not get coccidiosis from chickens. While both can get this disease, they are impacted by unique types of Eimeria (parasites). It’s still recommended to disinfect the area and make sure the animals are kept separate.
If you are noticing symptoms of coccidiosis in rabbits then it is time to set up a solution to make sure it does not get passed on. The parasitic disease in rabbits is still harmful and will need to be treated as soon as possible.
This guide is going to show you what to do when treating coccidiosis in rabbits.
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How To Treat Coccidiosis In Rabbits
1. Assess The Symptoms
You will need to assess the underlying symptoms.
The symptoms will tell you more about what the rabbit is suffering from.
Some of the symptoms of coccidiosis in rabbits include:
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Loss of Appetite
- Dehydration
It’s important to pay attention to how the rabbit is eating as that is a common sign of this disease. If the rabbit refuses to eat and it seems to be dealing with diarrhea then you will need to consult with a vet as soon as you can.
It’s important to act fast in a situation such as this.
You are not going to want things to drag on as that can do a lot of damage to the rabbit’s overall health.
2. Use Amprolium Or Sulfadimethoxine
Now, it is time to begin to treat coccidiosis in a rabbit.
How are you going to do this?
The first thing you will have to do is take the rabbit to a vet as soon as possible. The vet is going to have to diagnose the condition to make sure it is the right one before treatment can be administered.
Keep this in mind before attempting to do something on your own.
After you have spoken to the vet, they are likely going to prescribe medication to get rid of the parasites.
To do this, it is going to take amprolium and/or sulfadimethoxine. This is going to depend on what the vet deems to be the best for the rabbit’s health.
When housing rabbits and chickens together, you will worry about this condition but you shouldn’t. If the rabbit has coccidiosis then it has gotten it from somewhere else.
The goal, for now, is to use the medication as directed by the vet.
3. Keep The Rabbit’s Sleeping Area Clean
You will now want to make sure the rabbit is kept clean.
This means bathing the rabbit while it is unwell. If you are not doing this, the rabbit’s disease is not going to go away as quickly as it can.
You will also want to take the time to clean its bedding. It should be fresh as that is a must to ensure the rabbit feels good and can recover properly.
4. Observe The Rabbit’s Health
Due to the nature of this condition, you will want to observe the rabbit’s health.
This is the only way to make sure you are paying attention to the rabbit’s symptoms. Are the symptoms getting worse with time? Is the medication working or is something stronger required?
The vet is likely going to ask for a second check-up to see what is happening with the rabbit. It is good to go for this check-up.
For the most part, the medication that has been given should be good enough and is going to take care of the rabbit’s health. It’s recommended to look into this further to ensure the rabbit is in good health.
Final Thoughts
Can rabbits get coccidiosis from chickens?
Rabbits do not get coccidiosis from chickens. Both animals can suffer from coccidiosis but from different types of eimeria. It’s still recommended to separate the rabbits and chickens while treating the condition.
The best thing a rabbit owner can do is consult with a vet.
They will know whether or not this is coccidiosis and how to treat it the right way. It will save you time and is going to make sure the rabbit is getting the treatment it needs as soon as possible.
Get on top of the treatment immediately to make sure the rabbit is in good health.
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