Flea powders are not recommended for rabbits, so please stop using it. Also, never use any flea product that has fipronil on rabbits, it is very dangerous to them.

The head shaking could be an ear infection, which would be treated with antibiotics. If it is mites, the best way to treat is with Revolution, which you can get from your vet. Revolution treats fleas and all types of mites, so it would work against fur mites if that’s the case. Often mites flair up due to a weakened immune system, so it could be that he has an ear infection, and the mites are secondary.

So, sorry to say it, but I think a vet visit is in order, since there seems to be a couple of things going on that may or may not be related.

Welcome to BB forums PepsiBoo. It’s clear that you care a lot for your rabbit, and you’re doing a lot in lieu of veterinary treatment. I will say the best route would be having a vet appointment so a formal assessment could be done. It may be an ear infection and/or something that homeopathic treatments cannot remedy and the delay or improper treatments may be damaging. That being said, I understand rabbit veterinary expenses are expensive and there are times when we have to do the best we can at the time.

How are you remedying the soft poops? Soft poops are concerning because it can be diet related or gastro-distress related. A rabbit’s health is contingent on stomach health.

If he’s shaking his head after getting the flea powder, it’s probably him trying to get rid of the flea powder, which makes me wonder if it is actually doing anything. Can you provide information on this flea powder?

What does it look like when you look in the ear?

Like the others said, a vet visit is needed. They will be able to see what’s going on inside the rabbit that you can’t see. And as Jersey girl said, only use treatments that the vet says, as other things can have chemicals that can harm the bunny or kill them. I know you really want to help, but for his safety, the vet is the only one that can provide proper treatment!

If he’s 2 months old and you’ve had him a few weeks, he really should’ve had a vet appointment almost immediately as bunnies shouldn’t leave their mom’s before they’re 2 months. So there could be something wrong with him from wherever you got him from. 

Also to add as he is so young, he does need pellets for his growth and to make sure he’s getting enough nutrients. If you’ve had him for a few weeks, which means you probably got him at 4 weeks old? He should not have been on anything except a milk replacement, which is what was probably causing his stomach issues.   

Unfortunately, yes bunnies are a financial commitment and when they need vet care they really need vet care, and it’s not cheap. Nothing on you, but I wished more websites talked about that before people buy them because they are more costly than a dog or a cat.

He needs a vet. There’s no way around it.

Rabbits get poorly – just like all animals and unfortunately vet care is expensive, usually moreso with rabbits. It’s the way it is. I strongly recommend getting insurance so that you are not financially limited next time something comes up.

I’m also concerned that he was taken away/weaned so young. He definitely needs a check up for that alone. So that, plus his issues you’ve described – yep, a vet is the only option.

I have often seen flea powder for kittens recommended for rabbits – but you should only do one dusting with a repeat dusting 10 days later. Then the problem should be solved. You should not be applying the powder continously. If one treatment + 1 repeat hasn’t helped, something else is up. Because rabbit hair doesn’t grow all the time like human hair does, it can be a while before lost hair regrows. It depends on where he is in the hair growth cycle. The skin on the bare patches should look and feel fine and smooth and even. If there’s irritation and redness, something isn’t right.

There are some antiparasitics for cats that are DEADLY toxic to rabbits, the worst one being Fipronil. Fipronil is ok for cats and dogs but penetrates the blood-brain barrier in rabbits and causes deadly seizures. Fipronil is a component in many different antiparasitics, for example Frontline, Sentry and Effipro.

His tummy issues could have sthing to do with him being weaned early. A probiotic, for example Benebac, could be beneficial for him. Young rabbits have sensitive stomachs, especially if they were weaned early. It is however normal for them to produce some extra cecals now and then. If you have him on a grass hay only diet, I’d suggest you add some alfalfa hay, because he needs protein and calcium for proper growth.

It can be very expensive to own a rabbit, which is not something they tell you when you buy a rabbit – of course, that would make people less apt to buy rabbits. Pet insurance is a great idea. I have insurance for my bun. Luckily I’ve not had to use it for the bun I have now, but I had to with my bun Bam and it was a great help.