Research on Endoparasites of Domestic and Wild Rabbits From South-Western Romania

Abstract

Both domestic and wild rabbits are susceptible to an increased number of parasites, however, only few are of economic importance. The aim of this study was to identify the endoparasite species present in domestic and wild leporidae from Caras-Severin county, between April 2021 and March 2022. A total of 157 leporids, 111 domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and 46 wild rabbits (Lepus europaeus) were included in the study. The rabbits were grouped into three age categories: 4 months, 4 months - 1.6 years, 1.6 years. Coproscopic tests (Willis method) carried out on the 111 domestic rabbits taken into study resulted in the identification of eggs from the following parasites: Eimeria spp. (52.3%), Passalurus ambiguus (4.4%), Trichocephalus leporis (4.5%) and Trichostrongylus spp. (13.5%), respectively (15.3%) of the studied leporids were negative. The identification of parasite species present in wild hares was carried out by employing two coproparasitological methods: the Willis method and the sedimentation method. The Willis method revealed Eimeria spp. oocysts 45.7%, Trichostrongylus spp. eggs 23.9% and Trichocephalus leporis 13%. Out of a total of 46 samples, 8 were negative (17.4%). No parasitic elements were detected using the successive washing method.