Fleas – Rabbit

Ctenocephalides felis felis are contracted by house-rabbits from dogs and cats in the same household. Imidacloprid (Advantage®; Bayer) and Permethrin (Xenex Ultra®: Genitrix) are the licensed products.

Spilopysyllus cuniculi, the 'European rabbit flea' and Echidophagia mymecobil, the 'stickfast flea', are both found in and around the ears of pet rabbits that have contact with wild rabbits and are best treated with Advantage®. Stickfast fleas are a vector of myxomatosis. Spilopsyllus cuniculi or 'European rabbit flea' is the common flea in Europe and Australia while Cediopsylla simplex (common eastern rabbit flea) and Odontopsyllus multispinosis (giant eastern rabbit flea) are the North American equivalents.

The European rabbit flea (S. cuniculi) occurs on rabbit ears. It is more sedentary than most other species of flea and remains for long periods with its mouthparts embedded in the host. Reproduction is under the control of hormones in the blood of the mammalian host. Following mating, the adult female rabbit ovulates and, about 10 days before parturition, the levels of oestrogens and corticosteroids in the blood increase. These hormones stimulate development of the eggs of the female flea. When the young rabbits are born, the fleas move down the face and onto the young rabbits on which they feed, mate and lay their eggs. Copulation of S. cuniculi only takes place only in the presence of young (1-10 days old) rabbits. An airborne kairomone (a substance released by one species that benefits members of another, e.g. parasites, by being a signal or attractant to them) emanating from the new-born rabbits and their urine boosts copulation and reproduction. The hormones of the rabbit also cause adult fleas to increase the rate of defecation by about 5 times. This provides a greater source of food for the newly hatched larvae. Adult female fleas on bucks and non pregnant does are more mobile and will move to pregnant does if able.

The rabbit flea is the main vector of myxomatosis in rabbits. It may commonly be found near the edges of the ear of dogs and cats which frequent rabbit habitats. Echidnophaga gallinacea or 'sticktight flea' is important mainly in domestic poultry (especially a serious pest of chickens). However it may also attack cats, dogs, rabbits and humans. It is most common in tropical areas throughout the world, but may be found in many sub-tropical and temperate habitats. After feeding female fleas burrows into the skin where they attach firmly with their mouthparts. Females aggregate on bare areas, often the head, comb or wattles. Each female may remain attached for between two and six weeks. The skin around the point of attachment may become ulcerated.