Ectoparasites infestation rates in the pet rabbits of Daejeon area, Korea

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of ectoparasite infestations in the pet rabbits of Daejeon area, Korea. The authors used tape strip test, hair coat combing and otoscopy for diagnosis. Only three species were detected. Cheyletiella parasitovorax was found in 152/251 rabbits (60.6%), Psoroptes cuniculi was found in 7/251 rabbits (2.8%) and Ornithonyssus bacoti was found in 5/251 rabbits (1.9%). C parasitovorax is the highest prevalence among the three species. Co-infection of C. parasitovorax with P. cuniculi was found in 3/251(1.2%). Co-infection of C. parasitovorax with O. bacoti was found in 5/251(1.9%). This study is the first large scale survey of C. parasitovorax, P. cuniculi and O. bacoti in the pet rabbits of Daejeon area, Korea.