Small bugs on bunny? Help!

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 9sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 7 months ago by Bam.

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- 09/13/2015 at 2:56 PM
  Bunnymummy91
  Participant
  27 posts
  My bunny is almost a year old as has been a happy house rabbit since we got him. When grooming him tonight I noticed teeny tiny brown dots crawling in his fur. They’re miniscule. I know they’re not fleas as I have dealt with cats with fleas before and they look nothing like them, they are light brown, don’t jump, but wondering what they are, what I can do about it and if they’re causing my bunny any harm? Help!
- 09/13/2015 at 3:54 PM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17033 posts
  They could be mites. They can look like ground pepper (the spice, not the veg) and can be
  treated with Revolution (selamectin).
- 09/13/2015 at 4:19 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17242 posts
  I agree, you’re probably seeing mites. Revolution is your best bet. Your vet should be able to sell it to you without an appointment (as long as they have seen your bunny in the past). Do not use Frontline, it is toxic to rabbits.
- 09/14/2015 at 7:13 AM
  Bunnymummy91
  Participant
  27 posts
  Thank you! Is it something you can buy from pet shops as he has never visited our vet and I could do with avoiding any costly bills!
- 09/14/2015 at 7:57 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17033 posts
  Revolution (Selamectin) is only prescription-free in Australia, but not if you are in Europe or the USA. In the USA it may be ordered online though without a prescription. It is bunny safe and very effective.
  
  Selamectin is the safest thing, ivermectine works too, but I think you may need a prescription for that too in the USA unless you order online.
  
  I have used permethrin, but it’s not totally uncontroversial as to the safety for use in bunnies. Here is a scientific article that does indicate that it is safe to use permethrin on bunnies: http://www.jarvm.com/articles/Vol4Iss4/Hansen-Beck.pdf I used he smallest little dot of a spot-on-preparation for dogs, right on the spot where the mites seemed to have their centre of operation. It spreads over the skin by itself, so you only need to apply one tiny drop in one place.
  
  Imidaclopride on it’s own is not effective against cheyletiella mites, so Advantage is no good for this.
  
  I would still recommend selamectin though, since that’s what Medirabbit recommends. We are obviously NOT vets here so we can’t tell you what to do, we can only provide info so you can make an educated choice.
  
  Whatever you choose to do, NEVER use any compound containing fipronil (Frontline, EffiPro etc) since it’s deadly toxic to bunnies.
  
  You also need to clean her area + her stuff because the mites can survive without a warm-blooded host for some time. And if you have other pets, they should be treated as well since the mites can live on cats and dogs too, and if you don’t get to the root of the problem, it is likely to return.
- 09/14/2015 at 12:11 PM
  Bunnymummy91
  Participant
  27 posts
  Thank you for all the information! Will have a look and see if I can buy any (in the UK) and if not a trip to the vet it is! Thank you
- 09/14/2015 at 12:54 PM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17033 posts
  If you´re in the UK, Revolution is called Stronghold. It’s the same thing (selamectin), it’s just marketed under the name Stronghold instead of Revolution.
  
  Mites are generally very easy to treat, but a repeat treatment after about 4 weeks is recommended to kill off any stray eggs that may have hatched.
- 09/14/2015 at 4:25 PM
  Bunnymummy91
  Participant
  27 posts
  That’s great, will have a hunt. Thank you!
- 09/21/2015 at 7:18 AM
  Bunnymummy91
  Participant
  27 posts
  Quick update:
  I used a spray on Permethrin treatment (bought at Pets At Home – UK) and it worked wonders. Thanks for all the help!
- 09/21/2015 at 8:04 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17033 posts
  So glad to hear it! Thanks for the update!
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