How can I stop my young rabbits from dying of cysticercosis?

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  Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on July 17th, 2019

  Cysticercus pisiformis infection is usually spread by contaminated caging, food, and bedding materials. It is a species of tapeworm. Dogs and related species are the usual carriers but humans can also transmit the disease. All dogs in your area should be wormed to rid them of any adult tapeworms that they may be carrying. They will often have no clinical signs. You will, unfortunately, have no control over wild carnivores that may be carrying and spreading the parasite. But, you can do your best to fence them out of the area where the rabbits are housed or anywhere near their food source. * Discard all current food and bedding you have and obtain new stock. * Thoroughly clean all housing, bowls, etc with a dilute bleach solution. I would not let them out to roam around the yard as there is no way to remove the tapeworm eggs from the soil although, after one month, it should be safe.\ * Wash your hands with soap and warm water after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before handling food * Wash and peel all raw vegetables and fruits before feeding them to the rabbits * If possible use only bottled or boiled (1 minute) water as their water source *If you are getting food from an outside source be sure they are reputable and take similar precautions as mentioned above Now, all that being said, many people diagnose cysticercosis by the "white spots on the liver" however, tularemia infection can also cause this look. Did you see actual cysts on the liver or just the white spots? Be sure of your diagnosis as treatment and prevention are different for these diseases. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

  

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