Constantly itching!!!

[NoiyeBun]

I’m a first time rabbit owner!!! Am I just over worrying?.

My 9 week old male bunny itches himself all day. The vet confirmed he doesn’t have any parasites at all but he continues to itch. What could it be? What can I do to soothe his itching? He also spent the whole day sleeping and itching today. Is he OK?

He is a mix of mini lop and haliquin, he eats well poops well I reacently started him on leafy greens. He is usually energetic and binkies all the time. He’s usually zooming around the room. Today he just wasn’t interested in playing.

I’m worried but the vet said he’s fine.

[Bam]

If he is itching himself fantically all the time it could be an allergy of some sort. A vet can prescribe children’s benadryl (diphenhydramine). Since you’ve been to the vet with him you could perhaps just call them and ask?

Sometimes its difficult for a vet to see mites (bigger parasites are obv easier to spot), so they sometimes treat with selamectin or ivermectin on suspicion. (Since we’re on the subject of antiparasitics, here’s our standard warning: Never use fipronil (Frontline, Sentry etc) on a rabbit, it can be lethal).

This said, young animals sometimes do scratch themselves quite a bit more than adult animals. Young buns can also hiccup, which adult buns practically never do.

 

[NoiyeBun]

I will call and ask them. I have Bob Martin my little friend spot on, but the pack says to use on small animals over 12 weeks and my boy is only 9 weeks. I’ve tried everything even switching hay switching litter washing his mats etc… Am I just paranoid?

[Bam]

Its difficult to say if you’re being “paranoid”, because young rabbits do scratch themselves often, but they’re not supposed to scratch themselves incessantly. Maybe you could film him?

I looked up Bob Martins my little friend spot on, and I got som hits saying it contains fipronil as its active ingredient. Fipronil can be lethal to rabbits  so I would absolutely not use it. Beaphar has an OTC antiparasitic spot on product that contains ivermectin, which is rabbit safe and highly effective against mites.

[Wick & Fable]

Rabbits shouldn’t be itching themselves so often — how does his fur/skin look? I agree that treating for mites may be a good measure– not all mites are perceivable to the eye.

You could isolate him to a different area done-up in cardboard and generally nothing but the bare-minimum and see if there’s any relief to rule out allergens.

There’s also a chance that there’s something internally going on that’s causing him to itch (i.e., there’s not actually something itchy on his skin, but something inside him is bothersome and the only thing he can do is try to relieve/reach it is itching motions). This can be in the same realm as rabbits who pull their fur in reaction to an internal condition.

If all he is doing is sleeping and itching, you are not paranoid as a rabbit should not be itching themselves that much. Are you bathing him or anything? What exact type of litter are you using and can you tell us his diet?

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.

[NoiyeBun]

His fur is thick and healthy he doesn’t have any patches his skin looks good over all and between his paws. He itches his feet the most.

 

The litter I use is called ‘Back 2 Nature small animal bedding & litter’ however I swapped this for Timothy hay in hopes that it would help with the itching

His diet is unlimited alfalfa hay, he has a forage mix of alfalfa and Timothy with dandilion and grass hay to entertain him. He has 25g of selective science junior pellets and a quarter cup of greens that consist of parsley coriander thyme rosemary romaine lettuce and red lettuce leaves twice a week I’ll add a small leaf of basil and and spinach.

He eats well poops well drinks well..

I’m going to get a second opinion from another vet. I think it would be smart ti treat him for mites, is there any brands you would recommend. Its better to be safe than sorry

I don’t bath him as I’ve read I shouldn’t

[LBJ10]

I agree with the others. There is no harm in treating for mites even if the vet couldn’t see any. Revolution or ivermectin would be your best bets. They are safe for rabbits and generally effective. Advantage is safe too, but not effective against certain mites.

Rabbits can take antihistamines. The most common kind that is used is Children’s Benadryl. The reason is because it is readily available in syrup form.

[BZOO]

One other thought…

If it’s cold where you’re at, the heat in the house could be making him itchy as it’s drying him out.

If your going to get a second opinion, be sure to ask about this.

I’ve had a few dogs with this issue every winter, and it effects me as well.  My hands get so dry and itchy, they will actually bleed!

Keep us posted.

[NoiyeBun]

That might be it. I’ve got the heating on most of the type, I’m in South London and I hate the cold. I’m going to put the heating down to 17°c and see if it makes a difference for him. I’ll just start wearing jumpers indoors.

Thanks for that

[NoiyeBun]

Thanks all for your responses. I have treated him for mites although once I put the treatment on he spent the rest of the day grooming himself.

I got a second opinion from a different vet they done a skin scrape test and found no mites. They found no fleas either, in fact they gave him a clean bill of health

I have gotten an air purifier and I’m trying all little tricks. The itching has calmed down a bit. Fingers crossed it will only improve.

[Bam]

Fingers very crossed! Hopefully the itching is just due to dry winter air.

[ParsleyBun]

Yes, we have a wood heater and our cat gets itchy because she sleeps near it. It is probably just the winter weather.

[LBJ10]

Do you have a humidifier? Maybe that will help.

[Author]

Messages