How to treat fleas for bunnies?

[lovenova123]

I know that my bunny has fleas because I saw them on my bunny and my cats and my dog have some.My parents and I are treating my cats and my dog.So I know that you have to get the flea treatment  from a vet but how much is the flea treatment and is there other stuff I have to do to help my bunny. 

[Roberta]

The best product is Revolution Puppy and Kitten. A single ampule is perfect for a 2.5 kg bunny as dosage is 0.1 ml of ivermectin per kg of body weight. The only other safe product is Advantage kitten and small cat. Apply to the back of the neck as you would for a dog or a cat.
Some products are highly toxic and should not be used I.E. Frontline, it will kill your rabbit slowly and painfully. Do not use any pyrethrin based products as it will also make a bunny sick.

[Roberta]

To keep the fleas away after treatment clean all areas thoroughly, wash blankets and bedding and vacuum carpets and rugs.

[kikikuki]

Oh dear! This is a problem that I always worry about even though my bunny’s an indoor rabbit. The cost of treating fleas at the vet differs, depending on where you live and the vet themselves. You could ring around local vets and enquire about the cost of flea treatment for bunnies.

As for helping your bunny, you could purchase a flea comb. This can reduce the amount of fleas, providing temporary relief.

Do not use flea collars, flea dips and powders (cause stress), and don’t use Frontline or Sentinel medications. I recommend that you ask your vet for advice before using any flea treatments (aside from a flea comb) on your bunny.

Check out these websites for further information:
http://myhouserabbit.com/rabbit-health/treating-your-pet-rabbit-for-fleas/
http://www.allearssac.org/fleas.html

Hope this is helpful! Good luck!

[flemishwhite]

My very successful experience is with Revolution.  It’s so easy to apply.  Push the hair on you bunney’s top of the neck hair apart. Use the applicator and squirt a few milliliters of the liquid of their back shoulder skin.  This really works to get rid of fleas. I’ve wiped out several infections of house rabbit fleas.  I think it takes a week or so  to really work, but definitely does work!  Revolution is a little expensive. 

Can a house rabbit get fleas even though he/she is always in the house.!  YES.  As you, as a human, walk about your yard and backyard, maybe a trip to the park.   Fleas are present everywhere in the grass. Starving for blood, they will jump onto your ankles/lower legs for a drink.  However, fleas don’t want to live on a human being.  They need hair to hide in.  Walking outside you will attract flea(s).  Once inside your house, the fleas you picked up outside. will have a natural propensity to jump onto your dog, cat, or rabbit. 

If your rabbit has never been outdoors, and your rabbits gets fleas, the carrier was certainly you or a family member; human, cat. dog!!!

No reason to be embarrassed. Just get Revolution and get rid of the fleas. I kills other parasites also.

……………………………………

Revolution does not kill living mature fleas.  It prevents flea larvae from maturing to being adults. Fleas don’t live, as  best remembered, more than a month, so Revolution can wipe them out at the individual level in about a month.  

Bottom Line: Three house rabbits with fleas over a 12 year period, and Revolution got rid of the fleas as soon as they were detected.. 

[LBJ10]

I agree. Revolution is the safest method. And, as Roberta said, do not use anything with Fipronil in it (e.g. Frontline).

For carpets and rugs, diatomaceous earth is safe to use. Sprinkle it on the surface, let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum it up really well. It isn’t toxic, but bunny should not come in contact with the powder because it is easily inhaled and can cause respiratory irritation.

[lovenova123]

Thank you so much, this is my first time that my bunny got fleas.I will get my bunny all fixed up and my other animals at the same time.

[mlsdhly]

you actually don’t need to worry too much about cleaning the environment as Revolution will kill fleas in the environment as well, three doses will kill all life cycles

[LBJ10]

Revolution does linger in the environment on pet dander, etc. So yes, it can kill fleas living in on other surfaces in the animal’s living area.

[lovenova123]

I just bought some flea treatment and I bought small dog Advantage treatment and I would like to know if that’s ok for my bunny.

[Bam]

Advantage (imidacloprid) is bunny safe. Medirabbit states 3 mg per kg body weight, or one cat dose. It’s generally very effective and only one dose is needed, but in stubborn cases you can give a second dose after 30 days.
Safe bunny antiparasitics and doses:
http://www.medirabbit.com/Safe_medication/Anti_parasitics/safe_antiparasitic.htm

[lovenova123]

Thank you and does it matter that it is small dog instead of small cat

[Bam]

From what I can find out, the dosage for a small dog (under 4 kg) is the same as for a cat under for kg.
Since Medirabbit says a cat dose is fine and I know that members here have used it on bunnies, I think you can use it even if the dosage is higher than the 3 mg/kg that Medirabbit suggests. Here’s the fact sheet from the company making Advantage:
http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/000ADOBES/Lagomorphs/UK_licenced/BayerAdvantage.pdf
If the bunny licks at the solution before it’s dried it has a very bitter taste and can cause drooling. You should air out the room where the bun is to disperse fumes that can irritate the eyes.

[lovenova123]

Thank you for all the information I treated my bunny and I think Nova is going to be fine.

[Bam]

Great!

[Happy Bunn Family]

So much great information. One question I have is that I have a bonded pair of lion heads that are constantly grooming each other. How long should I separate them after treatment so they don’t ingest the topical solution?

[LittlePuffyTail]

Hi, HappyBunn and Welcome to BB. We ask members to please not reply to old threads (this one is from 2016) as it causes confusion. I’m not sure the answer to your question, unfortunately, but if you make a new thread it will get more attention and I’m sure someone else will have an answer for you. Thanks

[Author]

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