Beaphar spot on for rabbits

[Dina b]

Hi, I have two rabbits. Recently, I have found that they’ve been scratching more, especially around the ears and sometimes, it drives Theo to distraction and he starts digging like crazy and vigorously shaking his head which is very unlike him. I’ve checked his ears and there are some almost healed scabs. His fur is also a bit thinner than I remember it being around both sides of his nose. I don’t know if he did this to himself from the scratching and face cleaning or not. Nova, my other rabbit, has none.

For about a year, I’ve been buying hay bales online and I know these can carry mites as the vet told me so recently. I have felt quite itchy myself. It distresses me to see them so upset. I was wondering if you felt that this was an indication of external parasites and if you would recommend that I use the beaphar spot on treatment for rabbits. I’m worried it could harm my rabbits and I just needed that reassurance that it won’t.

Thank you,

Dina

[DanaNM]

I haven’t used the product or heard of it until now, but it looks to be an ivermectin based product, so it should be safe if used correctly. The main thing is to never use any product containing fipronil on rabbits, as it is very toxic to them.

The most common treatment for mites in the US is Revolution, active ingredient is selamectin, which is in the same class of chemicals.

The safest bet would be to give your vet a call and see what they recommend. I know certain anti-parasite treatments have lost some effectiveness recently as parasites evolve resistance.

As an aside, the types of mites that rabbits get cannot infect humans. I would guess that you are feeling itchy more as an allergic response than due to any mites from hay (or possibly due to sympathy for your buns).

 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Dina b]

Thank you for your quick response.

The vets would use ivermectin as well. I can’t really see anything different with them, especially Theo, other than the scabs which have already dried and come off by themselves. I can’t say he didn’t do it to himself as he has also accidentally scratched me in the past and it’s broken skin. I know that he seems to have an itch in his ears, especially his right one but that has always been the case with him, on and off. I’m not sure if a bit of flaky skin here and there is normal.

It’s hard when you don’t know what to look for.

I have stopped using the hay bale I bought and disinfect their cage every week. The product itself has very good reviews but I’m always overly cautious. I worry a lot.

[DanaNM]

A little dry skin is usually not cause for concern, but with ear mites you tend to see crusts forming deep in the ear first (as opposed to on the outer parts of the ear). A persistent itch in one ear could also be an ear infection

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Dina b]

I’ve checked deep in the ear and it all looks normal to me. Both ears do. I’ll keep an eye on him for the next few days. For the most part, he seems content. He sleeps normally and seems to be fine. I’m most likely overly cautious.

[DanaNM]

Here’s a trusted source with more info on ear mites and treatment options. Content warning, there are some pictures of some very bad cases, but there are also pictures of healthy ears and very early infections for comparison.

http://medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Parasitic/earmite/Psoroptes.htm

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

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