Raccoon roundworm

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Raccoon roundworm, also known as Baylisascaris procyonis, is a parasitic worm that can infect and cause disease in many species of birds and mammals, including rabbits.

The life cycle of Baylisascaris procyonis, also known as Raccoon Roundworm. Image by U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Alexander J. da Silva, PhD and Melanie Moser.

Causes

Rabbits can contract the parasite by consuming bedding, hay, or other materials contaminated with raccoon feces.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include the following :

• Torticollis (head tilt)
• Ataxia (impaired coordination)
• Tremors
• Falling (loss of balance)
• Neurological Disease

Experiences

• Instagram, peanutbunner_

Further reading

• PetMD. Infection of the Brain Tissues in Rabbits
• Diseases of Research Animals. Baylisascaris procyonis
• VetLexicon. Baylisascaris procyonis
• Raising-rabbits.com. Raccoon Roundworm

See also

• Head tilt
• Parasites