Can Ear Mites Hitch a Ride on Humans?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 5sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 5 months ago by LBJ10.

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- 02/22/2017 at 5:42 PM
  GardenMomma
  Participant
  2 posts
  Hi everyone. This is my first post and I hope that there is no similar thread already. I did search and didn’t find anything, but forgive me if I overlooked one!
  
  We recently took in an angora rabbit, which we love. She’s an older bunny and has pretty much free rein (reign? I am suddenly second guessing myself here.) of our home.
  
  Today, we went to a garage sale where someone had a hutch outside. I wanted to look at it because it was perfect for quail, and I have been looking for a cheap hutch for their house. As my kids and I approached, we saw there were three bunnies inside and a sign that said the rabbits were free with the hutch. My kids wanted to take a closer look at them, of course. The momma rabbit had about the worst case of ear mites I have ever seen. It was so sad.
  
  So, I have two questions- First, we didn’t touch the rabbits or the hutch, but is it possible that we could have tracked these critters into our home on our clothing/shoes? I know I am probably being paranoid, but…well, that’s me. I’m little bit paranoid and a whole lot neurotic.
  
  Second, what should I do for the rabbits at this house? I should have stopped and talked to them about the condition, but the woman was in the middle of a conversation and there were a lot of people there asking her questions.
  
  Thanks, all.
- 02/23/2017 at 2:50 PM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  I very much doubt you could get the ear mites on you without having handled the bunny. They are not like fleas as they can’t jump. So I’d say you are fine.
  
  As for the bunnies, that is very sad. Do you know of any rescues near you? If not, what is your general area? Maybe if she still has the bunnies you could inquire about her turning them over?
- 02/23/2017 at 7:10 PM
  GardenMomma
  Participant
  2 posts
  Ok. Phew! As a young adult, my place of work was infested by fleas from someone coming in whose dogs had fleas, so you hit the nail on the head with my worries!
  
  As for the other bunnies, yes there is a rescue but is about an hour and a half away. I would assume they would take them. There are also a few of my friends around that have rescued bunnies in the past that might take them now that I think of it. I don’t know why I didn’t think of them before. I think I’ll make some phone calls and then go back to see her.
  
  Thank you so much for your response!!
- 02/24/2017 at 9:46 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Hopefully you or your friends can come up with something to get the rabbits out of there. That is if someone didn’t end up taking them at the garage sale.
  
  I recommend speaking with someone from animal control also. The owners might be breaking some laws by not treating the rabbit(s). Bad infestation of ear mite would be very painful. Yet, some ivermectin from a farm supply store could have made these rabbits lives much more comfortable. Revolution is better, but not as readily available. My other concern is if they could have other animals that are neglected. If Animal Control think they need investigate and they do find animal in need, at least then there is a record against their name.
  The problem with AC seizing animals is where they end up afterwards. If they go into the public shelter system. then sometimes Rescues can organize to take them from there.
- 02/24/2017 at 12:24 PM
  babybun
  Participant
  16 posts
  I agree with everyone who is suggesting that you have the bunnies taken to a rescue organization or a sanctuary, if they haven’t been adopted yet. Being infested with tons of ear mites like that, they must be so horribly uncomfortable. The fact that they haven’t already searched for veterinary assistance is a bit red-flaggish. Who knows, the bunnies could have other underlying issues as well if they’ve been neglected for a while. Even if she did already hand them over to someone else, I would try to talk to her about her advising the people she adopted them out to on how and where they can get her proper treatment. Or if they’re not committed to that, to hand them over to someone else.
- 02/24/2017 at 7:58 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17260 posts
  It’s difficult to transmit earmites without direct bun to bun contact.
  
  As for what you witnessed, I agree with the others that you should notify someone.
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