In France, we mainly use fenbendazole (Panacur) which is pretty harmless and kills several types of parasits. In my experience, the treatment is pretty long (at least 3 weeks) but it probably depends on the parasit. I have zero experience with Albendazole but I found that answer from Dana Krempels about vermifuges:
“Dana Krempels, Ph.D. – 1/4/2010
ANSWER: Dear Paula,
Panacur (fenbendazole) belongs to a class of drugs, the benzamidazoles, that can–in some species–act as a radiomimetic agent. That is, its toxicity mimics the effects of radiation. The biggest concern with the benzamidazoles is irreversible damage to the bone marrow, causing fatal anemia.
Of the three benzamidazoles commonly used for rabbits (albendazole, fenbendazole, and oxibendazole), albendazole is by far the most toxic, and it has been linked to sudden rabbit deaths. The other two are apparently less toxic, though their use is strongly cautioned for birds, which appear to be particularly sensitive to this class of drugs. Data for mammals is a lot less worrisome, though a few sensitive individuals may have some reactions.
If your vet told you that Panacur is dangerous to the liver, you might want to direct her to this study:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/h031wh144476p43j/
At least in the species used here, there is no significant effect on the liver from fenbendazole.
If it’s any consolation, I know hundreds of people have used Panacur, as directed (our vets prescribe it at 20mg/kg once per day), for their bunnies and I don’t know of *any* confirmed cases of radiomimetic side effects. We have used it on our rabbits with excellent results, and have a “herd” of sanctuary jackrabbits who get it regularly to control strongyle worms (they brought them with them from the airport. Alas!).
I would not be too worried, but the vet is right to give you the warning. I’d rather she err on the side of caution than be too cavalier with drugs! If you are very concerned, then you could ask her about trying ponazuril. Although this drug is a lot newer than Panacur, and we don’t really know all the possible side effects, it appears to be very benign (according to all the literature published on it so far), and we have had good results with it against both E. cuniculi and coccidia.
Hard to know just *how* good with such a small, uncontrolled sample. But it might be worth a try.
For now, though, I would not be too concerned about the Panacur, given the many, many rabbits who have taken it without any apparent harm.
Hope this helps.
Dana”
So, bam is right: you can use Albendazole if it’s for a short-term treatment and that you can’t find Fenbendazole. See what’s available in India. On the bright side, those vermifuges kill several types of worms so you can probably get rid of them without identifying them with any of the rabbit-friendly vermifuges.