Rabbit Heartworm Disease: Can Rabbits Get Heartworms?

Quick Answer
  • Yes, rabbits can be infected with heartworms, but it appears to be rare and is not commonly diagnosed in pet rabbits.
  • Heartworm is caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitis and is spread by mosquito bites, not by direct contact with another rabbit.
  • Some rabbits may have no obvious signs, while others can develop breathing changes, lethargy, poor appetite, or sudden collapse if the lungs or heart are affected.
  • Diagnosis usually requires your vet to combine history, exam findings, chest imaging, and sometimes ultrasound or specialized testing because routine dog-style screening is not well validated for rabbits.
  • There is no widely standardized rabbit-specific treatment protocol, so care is individualized and may focus on monitoring, supportive care, and managing complications.
Estimated cost: $150–$2,500

What Is Rabbit Heartworm Disease?

Rabbit heartworm disease is an uncommon parasitic infection caused by Dirofilaria immitis, the same heartworm parasite best known in dogs. The parasite is carried by mosquitoes. After a bite from an infected mosquito, immature worms can enter the body and may migrate to blood vessels associated with the lungs and, in some cases, the heart.

Rabbits are not considered the typical host for heartworms. That matters because disease in an unusual host can look different. Some rabbits may never show clear outward signs, while others may develop respiratory distress or circulatory problems if the parasite triggers inflammation in the lungs or pulmonary arteries.

Because this condition is rare in pet rabbits, many cases are suspected only after imaging, surgery, or necropsy rather than through routine screening. If your rabbit has unexplained breathing changes, exercise intolerance, or sudden weakness during mosquito season, your vet may consider heartworm as one of several possible causes.

Symptoms of Rabbit Heartworm Disease

  • Fast or labored breathing
  • Lethargy or reduced activity
  • Decreased appetite
  • Exercise intolerance or tiring quickly
  • Open-mouth breathing
  • Bluish gums or tongue
  • Sudden collapse or death
  • No obvious symptoms at all

See your vet immediately if your rabbit has open-mouth breathing, marked effort to breathe, weakness, collapse, or blue-tinged gums. Rabbits can decline quickly with heart or lung disease. Milder signs like lower energy, subtle breathing changes, or reduced appetite still deserve prompt attention, because rabbits often hide illness until they are quite sick.

What Causes Rabbit Heartworm Disease?

Rabbit heartworm disease starts with a mosquito bite. Mosquitoes pick up immature heartworms from an infected host, usually a dog or wild canid, and can then pass those larvae to another animal during feeding. Heartworms are not spread directly from rabbit to rabbit, and a rabbit cannot catch heartworms from sharing space, bedding, or bowls with another rabbit.

The parasite involved is Dirofilaria immitis. In the usual host, adult worms live in the pulmonary arteries and sometimes the right side of the heart. In rabbits, infection appears to be uncommon, but experimental and pathology literature shows that the parasite can still cause lung and blood vessel damage.

Risk is likely higher for rabbits living outdoors, rabbits housed in mosquito-heavy areas, and rabbits in regions where heartworm is common in dogs. Standing water, warm weather, and poor mosquito control can all increase exposure. Even indoor rabbits are not fully protected if mosquitoes get into the home.

How Is Rabbit Heartworm Disease Diagnosed?

Diagnosis can be challenging because rabbit heartworm disease is rare and there is no routine, rabbit-specific screening program like there is for dogs. Your vet will usually start with a physical exam, a discussion of mosquito exposure, and a review of symptoms such as breathing changes, weakness, or appetite loss.

Chest X-rays are often one of the most useful first steps because they may show changes in the lungs, pulmonary vessels, or heart silhouette. In some rabbits, your vet may also recommend echocardiography to look for heart or pulmonary artery abnormalities. Bloodwork can help assess overall stability and rule out other causes, but it does not confirm heartworm on its own.

Standard canine antigen tests are not well validated for rabbits, so results may be difficult to interpret. In some cases, diagnosis remains presumptive based on imaging and clinical signs. Definitive identification may only happen if a worm is directly visualized, removed, or found on necropsy.

Treatment Options for Rabbit Heartworm Disease

Spectrum of Care means you have options. Here are treatment tiers at different price points.

Budget-Conscious Care

$150–$500
Best for: Rabbits with mild signs, uncertain diagnosis, or pet parents who need an initial, lower-cost plan while still addressing breathing and comfort concerns.
  • Office exam and stabilization assessment
  • Basic chest X-rays if available
  • Oxygen support during respiratory distress
  • Activity restriction and close home monitoring
  • Supportive care tailored by your vet
Expected outcome: Variable. Some rabbits may remain stable with monitoring, while others worsen if lung or vascular disease progresses.
Consider: Lower upfront cost, but less diagnostic certainty. This approach may miss complications or delay identification of severe cardiopulmonary disease.
Most Common

Recommended Standard Treatment

$500–$1,200
Best for: Most rabbits with suspected heart or lung involvement that are stable enough for outpatient or short-stay hospital evaluation.
  • Comprehensive exam with rabbit-savvy veterinarian
  • Chest radiographs
  • Bloodwork to assess overall health and rule out other illness
  • Targeted supportive care such as oxygen, fluids used cautiously, and appetite support when appropriate
  • Follow-up rechecks and repeat imaging as needed
Expected outcome: Guarded to fair, depending on worm burden, degree of pulmonary damage, and how early the problem is recognized.
Consider: Provides a more complete picture and safer monitoring, but still may not produce a definitive diagnosis because rabbit-specific heartworm testing is limited.

Advanced / Critical Care

$1,200–$2,500
Best for: Rabbits with severe breathing distress, collapse, suspected major heart involvement, or cases needing specialty-level diagnostics.
  • Emergency hospitalization
  • Continuous oxygen and intensive monitoring
  • Echocardiography or specialty imaging
  • Exotic or cardiology consultation
  • Management of severe respiratory distress or cardiovascular complications
  • Procedural or surgical intervention only in select cases if a specialist believes it is feasible
Expected outcome: Guarded. Advanced care may improve comfort and clarify options, but severe cardiopulmonary disease in rabbits can still carry a serious outlook.
Consider: Most intensive and resource-heavy option. It may offer more information and monitoring, but not every rabbit is a candidate for aggressive procedures.

Cost estimates as of 2026-03. Actual costs vary by location, clinic, and individual case.

Questions to Ask Your Vet About Rabbit Heartworm Disease

Bring these questions to your vet appointment to get the most out of your visit.

  1. How likely is heartworm compared with other causes of my rabbit's breathing changes?
  2. What tests are most useful first for my rabbit, and which ones are optional?
  3. Do the chest X-rays suggest heart disease, lung disease, or something else?
  4. Would an ultrasound or referral to an exotic specialist change treatment decisions?
  5. What supportive care can help my rabbit breathe more comfortably right now?
  6. What warning signs mean I should seek emergency care immediately?
  7. Is mosquito exposure a realistic risk for my rabbit's housing setup?
  8. What prevention steps make sense for my rabbit, given where we live and my rabbit's health history?

How to Prevent Rabbit Heartworm Disease

Prevention focuses on reducing mosquito exposure, because mosquitoes are the route that spreads heartworm. Keeping your rabbit indoors is one of the most practical steps. If your rabbit spends time outside, use secure housing with fine mosquito screening or netting, especially during warm months and around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are active.

Reduce mosquito breeding areas around your home. Empty standing water from pots, trays, buckets, and outdoor containers regularly. Good window screens, prompt repair of torn screens, and limiting outdoor exposure during heavy mosquito activity can also help.

There is no widely accepted, rabbit-specific heartworm prevention protocol for pet rabbits. Do not give dog or cat heartworm products unless your vet specifically prescribes them for your rabbit. If you live in a high-heartworm area or your rabbit has outdoor exposure, ask your vet to help you build a prevention plan that fits your rabbit's lifestyle and health status.

Find a Vet Near You