Gastrointestinal infection of rabbits in Ranau Rabbit Farm, Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia

A study on gastrointestinal parasite infection in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was conducted at Ranau Rabbit Farm, Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia. Fifty fresh faeces samples from rabbits were collected at the study site, located on a hill with a view of Mount Kinabalu at Kampung Kigiok, Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia. This area was chosen as the study since it has over 100 varieties of rabbits ranging in age. The species of parasites that infect the rabbits, and the intensity and prevalence of parasitic intestinal infection in rabbits, were analysed and calculated. The samples were analysed using direct smear, sedimentation, and floatation. Six gastrointestinal parasites were observed and identified, i.e., two protozoan parasites (Coccidia sp. and Toxoplasma sp.), two cestodes (Diphyllobothrium sp. and Taenia sp.), one nematode (Ascaris sp.), and one trematode (Fasciola sp.). The most prevalent parasite was Coccidia sp. (97.56% in adults [n = 40/41] and 88.89% in juveniles [n=8/9]), followed by Diphyllobothrium sp. (95.12% in adults [n = 39/41] and 77.78% in juveniles [n = 7/9]), Taenia sp. (92.68% in adults [n = 38/41] and 77.78% in juveniles [n = 7/9]), Ascaris sp. (58.54% in adults [n = 24/41] and 55.56% in juveniles [n = 5/9]), Toxoplasma sp. (97.56% in adults [n = 27/41] and 77.78% in juveniles [n = 4/9]) and Fasciola sp. (29.27% in adults [n = 12/41] and 33.33% in juveniles [n = 3/9]). No significant difference was detected between adults and juveniles regarding the intensity of infection. For the intensity, the degree of infection is <500 and is considered a mild infection and does not cause harm to rabbits and visitors. Meanwhile, the total prevalence rate for all individuals was 98%. The prevalence rate for adults was 97.56% and for juveniles was 88.87%. No significant difference was observed between the adults and juveniles in the prevalence rate. Since the prevalence is high, it can be concluded that all rabbits from this study site could easily be affected by gastrointestinal parasites because they did not show any symptoms even though they are experiencing GI. In conclusion, all 50 rabbits in Ranau Rabbit Farm were infected with all six parasites (Coccidia sp., Diphyllobothrium sp., Taenia sp., Ascaris sp., Toxoplasma sp., and Fasciola sp.). Coccidia sp. is more prominent and zoonotic than the other species. Therefore, it might lead to higher severity for the rabbits and visitors if the infection is high.