Ear Mites? Remedies + Cleaning Help!!!

[LemonBreeze]

Hi! I have a rabbit who is about a year old. About 3 or 2 or maybe even 1 week ago I took him outside to play. We were out for a long time, maybe 1 to 2 hours. This is where I think he got ear mites. I keep him in my room where he lives in the day, and at night I take him down to a cage I built myself. (It’s because he gets way too excited and loud running all over the place and jumping on top of my bed and all sorts of things and I can’t sleep.) But recently I have become worried about him. He sometimes stops randomly and shakes his head or scratches his ears. He does it often, but not constantly. I frequently examine his ears and there seems to be no crust, or much of any discoloration. But just how much he does it and how he stops as if something just bit him really worries me. Also, I think he might be getting hair loss at the back of his neck or the back/side of his ears. That part has always been where he has the least fur, but I think it might be even worse now. There are no other symptoms, as far as I can tell. I can’t see any mites but I believe they’re microscopic so maybe that’s why. But it could also be fleas, or maybe it’s nothing. I’m currently in a situation where it would be very hard for me to get him to the vet, and I’m not sure I even could. So I would prefer a natural remedy that I could do at home. Please, I’m open to any suggestions as long as they are safe. Also suggest what I should do cleaning wise. Because another problem I have is my rabbit tore out the cloth at the bottom of my matress box spring. But sometimes he will hop in it. How do I disinfect that? Can I? Sorry for this being so long, but I really needed to get out all of these things. Again, any suggestions are helpful as long as they are safe. And please respond ASAP. Thank you for your time.

Edit: I think I might use coconut oil for his ears. Can I drop it in his ears or only on the outside? I dropped a drop of coconut oil directly into his ear.. is that okay? Next time I will put it on the inside of his ear instead of directly in because idk if that hurt him.. I REALLY hope it didn’t.  I have washed his bedding in his downstairs cage also. I’m still very open for replies!!

[bonnie_bunny]

Ear mites are very very tricky. Sometimes one treatment does it, sometimes it takes many. Bonnie got hers at the shelter she was in and from January to only about a week ago, they were crusty and pink with bald spots on the back. When I took her to a different vet than the one by my school, he prescribed a topical cattle treatment and it worked wonders and was only about $8. I can’t remember the name of it at the moment but if I do I’ll let you know.

I’ve heard coconut oil can help topically but you should NEVER put anything inside your rabbits ear canal unless prescribed by a vet. It can cause them to get ear infections. Be very gentle if you use it in the inside of the ear and try to use a cotton applicator of some kind (either a ball or pad or q-tip). Try not to go too far into the ear either, just what you can readily see without manipulating the ear. I’ve also heard vitamin E oil can help.

Ear mites really do require a vet trip. Constant scratching and balding aren’t good signs, but the fact that there’s no flaking or crust means that it’s probably still early. If you catch them before they lay eggs they are much easier to get rid of. Check if your vet has a payment plan and see if they’ll sell you a treatment without an appointment.

[Q8bunny]

Even the worst mites can be successfully treated with a spot treatment (or in some cases, an injection) – either in single dose or a series, depending on spread of mites. Ivermectin from your vet, or selamectin (revolution or stronghold) are very effective and economical. And if your bun is receiving multiple doses, simply clean his space with a safe household cleaner (I use water with a bit of vinegar and baking soda) and the mite problem should resolve.

But please don’t ever ever put anything in your bun’s ears.

[LemonBreeze]

Okay thanks for the replies! Hopefully that didn’t hurt him. I’ll try to get him to the vet as quickly as I can. It is fine if I apply the coconut oil topically then? For now at least, until I can get actual treatment for him. (Also, it was my understanding after looking at several websites to actually drop it into his ears but I guess I misunderstood or perhaps they were wrong.) What is the likelihood he gets an ear infection or any kind of hearing loss from it? It was one smallish drop of coconut oil.

[Q8bunny]

I would wait for the vet, to be honest. But if you must treat at home, do keep in mind that despite what lots of rabbitry sites say, home remedies will not be as or even fully effective. More than anything, they help reduce itching (like tea tree oil) or heal skin (like honey), but the mites are hardy little buggers.

[LemonBreeze]

Ok, I’ll wait for the vet then. Thanks for helping!

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