Fur Mites??

[Miyavp]

My recently rescued baby bunny has been doing alot of scratching right between his ears on top of his head. He’s starting to get scabs I think he may have fur mites. After doing alot of online reading I was hoping for some solid anwsers. I read the best treatment is revolution. But would this be something I could treat with safely at home?

I also read sometimes olive oil can help so I put a dab on my finger and rubbed it into his fur right between his ears. Just a little tiny bit if only to relive some itching. I really hate to have to take him to the vet right now, but I will if thats really what he needs. Are there any methods that wont harm him that I could try at home?

I could bath him, I know its discouraged but I had to do it when I rescued him because he was locked in a box out in the hot sun. He was overheating badly so I called my vet and she reccomended giving him a shallow cool water bath, not cold just cool. He was okay with that and I dried him with a blow drier set on no heat. If I cant find any options I can try safely then I will take him to the vet. I just cant afford it right now =/

[Bam]

In most countries, revolution must be prescribed by a vet. In Australia I think you can get it without a prescription but I’m not sure. If you can, you can treat him with it at home safely, I think there’s a variety for kittens that is recommended for rabbits.

What I did was treat my first bun with permethrin, but this is not always tolerated by all rabbits. I used a minute dose of Ex-spot for dogs, just the tiniest droplet, at the nape of the neck where the problem was at its worst. I did this because a breeder of show-rabbits told me she uses this with her rabbits when they get mites.

It worked fine. I repeated the treatment a few weeks later. The mites have never come back. My second bunny also had mites (Cheyltiella parasitovorax) when I found him. I treated him with Ultra Shield for horses and dogs, it also has permethrin but in a much, much lower concentration. I had to treat his affected area once a day for a few days before all the mites were gone. They’ve not come back. Neither of my bunnies had any adverse reactions to the permethrin, but as I said earlier, some rabbits do and then you have to shampoo and bathe them right away. Dogs and horses can also have adverse reactions to the stuff even though it’s meant for use on dogs and horses. This would be the budget-solution if you haven’t the money or ability to take him to a vet for Revolution.

What you absolutely must NEVER do is use Frontline (fipronil). It is lethal to rabbits and the manufacturer warns against using it on rabbits. It would kill the mites but probably the bunny too, so DON’T use that!

Mites of this variety are very common in rabbits that’s been under stress of some kind. Bathing the bunny with regular shampoo won’t help. Oil etc may help you comb out the flakes and perhaps soothe the skin, but won’t kill the mites.

 

I realize this is a bit controversial, but it is a remedy widely used by (show) rabbit-breeders in Sweden. If you have like 25 bunnies housed outside they will get mites now and then and it’s not affordable to go see a vet with them every time.

[LittlePuffyTail]

If he’s scratching to the point where he’s getting scabs, something is definitely going on there. I would either explain the situation to a vet and have them prescribe Revolution or better yet, bring him in to get checked out.

[Bam]

Of course the best choice is go see a vet, it really is. Maybe some kind-hearted vet would be willing to write you a prescription for Revolution so you can treat your bunny yourself, if you explain your financial situation and that you’ve found the rabbit the way you did. You could call several vets and ask.

Have you any idea what type of mites you may be dealing with? The cheyletiella variety is very common and relatively easy to deal with, but there are also burrowing mites and ear-mites and those are worse. Do you have any pictures?

Here’s some info that could help you determine what your bunny is likely to be suffering from: http://www.mybunny.org/info/mites.pdf
Although nowadays most mites are treated with Revolution (selamectin) instead of ivermectin. Revolution is known as StrongHold in some countries.

[Lola & Shadow]

Hello,

I have two adorable Lop bunnies. The baby I recently brought home has fur mites and now both my bunnies have mites as apparently they spread quickly. I read to use revolution but it’s not working. I have Fur mites problem with my bunnies too!

I read to use apple cider vinegar with the Mother by Bragg and now the vinegar is attracting fruit flies. ?

Any advice on safe streamer for dandruff fur mites?

And what should I do about the vinegar. I sprayed the vinegar all over them and now flies are all over the bathroom. Should I give my babies baths to get the vinigar off?

I’m going crazy because I love them so much I just want to know what to do so I can get them ? cured.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Hi, Lol&Shadow and Welcome to Binky Bunny. We ask that members please not respond to old threads (this one is from 2013) as it can cause confusion. Your post will also get more attention with a new thread. Lots of members here who will have advice for you, I’m sure. Let me know if you need help doing this.

[Author]

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