Flea Treatment

[babblingbuns]

Hello everyone! I’m very new to binky bunny, as I literally just signed up today. I would also consider myself fairly new to being a rabbit owner, despite the fact I received my rabbit towards the end of last year. (Although I have recently signed up and become a member, I have read and truly learned from prior forum posts here, and they’re very helpful). Furthermore, I noticed a little earlier today while petting my rabbit, that there was a little bug crawling on one of his back paws. After thoroughly examining his fur, I noticed another small bug on his head, along with small black “dots,” per se. I’m pretty familiar with fleas, being that I have dogs as well, so I’m fairly sure this is a case of fleas. My question is, are there any home remedies or treatments to get rid of fleas on rabbits? I’m aware there are flea medicines, but I’ve read about many being dangerous to rabbits. I would take him to the vet, but considering it’s a Sunday and tomorrow is Memorial Day, I’m not sure if any vets will be open until Tuesday. I plan on calling them as soon as they reopen, but I’m not sure if there’s anything that I can do for him in the meantime. Thank you for reading, and I appreciate any feedback given! 

[Bam]

Home remedies against fleas are seldom effective. On rabbits you can use Advantage (imidaclopride) against fleas. It’s prescription free in all countries I know of. If you can’t get it until tuesday, just try and comb out an kill as many fleas as you can until then.

You are right in that there are flea remedies that are toxic to rabbits. The compound you most definitely want to avoid using anywhere near rabbits is Fipronil. It’s deadly toxic to rabbits. It’s sold as Frontline and Sentry and has several other market names.

[jerseygirl]

What do you typically use for the dogs?

[babblingbuns]

Oh, okay. Thank you so much! I will constantly be checking for openings, but right now, it looks like the vets near me will be reopening on Tuesday. I definitely will try to go to the store today to check out Advantage, and comb his fur, too. I’m not familiar with Advantage, but do you think it will be a little too strong for him? I’m only wondering since he’s only eleven months old. 

[babblingbuns]

Hi jerseygirl! I cannot think of the name of the medication that I use for my dogs, since their veterinarian applies it herself during their checkups. However, I do give my dogs flea baths, but I’m aware that flea baths are definitely not an alternative for bunnies.

[jerseygirl]

Ah okay. I had thought if you had some at home and it was rabbit safe, you could apply some of that. Revolution and Advantage are rabbit safe. This HRS article mentions using 0.4mls of advantage for rabbits. 11months old should be fine. He’d be near his full weight if not already reached it.
There is the good old flea comb too.

Another tip is to vaccum often and pop a flea collar in your vacuum cleaner to deal with any fleas and eggs in there.

[babblingbuns]

Good to know, and thank you for attaching the article. Initially, I was kind of freaking out because this is my first rabbit, and the first time I have personally encountered fleas on a rabbit. I will definitely be jotting down both of your tips for later! Again, I cannot thank you both enough!

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