Ear mite natural treatments help

[Puffbaby]

My vet said that stitch has the beginning of earmites. They are just in the ear deep down, you bc an barely see the gunk in there and my vet told me to give him 2-3 drops of coconut oil or vegetable oil or olive oil in each ear today and tomorrow and then every other day for 2 weeks and then again on day 21 and 28. And wash and disenfect everything regularly and change his litter pans every day. He wants to take a more natural approach since they are just starting and I was wondering if you guys have heard of coconut oil as a good treatment for earmites.

Also do you think that he could have gotten earmites from his hay which I keep in the outside storage shed that is completely enclosed with concrete. And the hay is up off the ground and on 2 plastic tables.

[Domino&Ash]

Keeping bunny items outside definitely means more pest infestations.

I replied to a similar question and gave a response. Check my activity wall for it, since I answered it just recently.

Short answer: food grade diatomaceous earth sold at many vet offices and pet supply stores.
Rub a tsp worth into their fur and around their ears. Sprinkle same amount in their bedding each time you change it for a week or two.
That’s what I do.
Diatomaceous earth tears miniscule mites but not the rabbit’s intestines.

Make sure your bun has plenty of drinking water at all times,as with any dietary change especially minerals. Nothing to worry about or overdue, as with us and our chalky human vitamins we take….always with water to drink (:

[Bam]

Mineral oil is traditionally used to treat mites. It works by suffocating the mites. It’s often used with very young animals that can’t have stronger antiparasitics. Coconut oil is a veggie alternative. If this works, it’s good, if it doesn’t work it will progress and need treatment with for example Revolution or Ivermectin. Keep a close eye.

As for diatomaceous earth I’m not sure about pouring it deep into the ears. But for fur mites I can see how it might work. Here is a link to Domino&Ash’s recent post about diatomaceous earth for mites:
https://binkybunny.com/tabid/54/aft/162910/Default.aspx

[Puffbaby]

Thank you both! I’ve decided to use the coconut oil drops in his ears in combination with a drop of mineral oil and use the DE in his litter box which will get cleaned every single day.
I will also wipe down his room with vinegar, dawn dish soap and water solution and he will not be allowed in any carpeted area or on any furniture until they are gone.
I was wondering about his bedding. He has a memory foam bath mat with a sheet over it and I wasn’t sure if I should take his beddING out for the 2-3 weeks until the earmites are gone or if it is fine as long as I wash it each week and what about his toys ? Should I soak them or rinse them every few days or throw them out?

[Puffbaby]

Also what about cardboard? Should I thrown out the cardboard houses?

[Bam]

You can put toys in the freezer for 48 hours. Washing fabrics on 60 degrees C (140 F) will get rid of mites. Throwing out the cardboard houses is the safest thing, mites can survive in the environment for3 weeks. If it’s minus degrees outside where you live you can put the boxes outside for a couple days, but otherwise it really is safest to get new boxes.

[Domino&Ash]

Posted By Puffbaby on 11/05/2017 2:45 PM

Thank you both! I’ve decided to use the coconut oil drops in his ears in combination with a drop of mineral oil and use the DE in his litter box which will get cleaned every single day.
I will also wipe down his room with vinegar, dawn dish soap and water solution and he will not be allowed in any carpeted area or on any furniture until they are gone.
I was wondering about his bedding. He has a memory foam bath mat with a sheet over it and I wasn’t sure if I should take his beddING out for the 2-3 weeks until the earmites are gone or if it is fine as long as I wash it each week and what about his toys ? Should I soak them or rinse them every few days or throw them out?

Don’t pour DE in the ears. Just rub a TB all over the fur, including around the base of the ears.

I also recommend mineral oil for cleaning.

I actually like oregano oil for ears and even scrapes/scabs.

 WARNING: Although recommended by some vets, and although a natural antiseptic, oregano oil is  irritating to some rabbits, especially to their eyes so I do not recommend it. One of my rabbits loves it but I myself feel irritated by it.

Ash doesn’t touch it , I think it keeps him from bothering his dry skin/scrapes but Domino, after about a half hour, starts cleaning it off meticulously. He even gets excited when I open it. Domino is one of those rabbits in love with intense smells.

Like all living things, different bodies respond differently. Just try to stay organic and preventative in health care.

[Domino&Ash]

Posted By Puffbaby on 11/05/2017 6:00 PM

Also what about cardboard? Should I thrown out the cardboard hou

RE:
Don’t know why my reply is in the box but anyway :

I’d get rid of the cardboard. I’ve known them to love living in the corrugation.

Good luck!

Bunny blessings from Domino and Ash for a full recovery and long years of mite-free fun 

[Domino&Ash]

UPDATE?

Did everything work out?

[Author]

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