Dirofilaria spp. Infestation

Dirofilariasis is common in wild lagomorphs, with D. uniformis adults localized within the connective tissue of the subcutis of the trunk and D. scapiceps localized around tendons of the hock and stifle. Both feature microfilaria in the blood, and are transmitted by mos­quitoes. Infection of outdoor domestic rabbits in Canada is reported to be common. Rabbits can also be aberrant hosts for D. immitis, which develop in pulmonary arter­ies, but die and are associated with organized thrombi.