How to clean up mites?

[equalsign]

 Hey all,

 

Well, my bunnies and I just cannot seem to stay out of the vet hospital. My little boy is in there right now for his neuter . Worried. At least he’s being sent home with Metacam. Anyways, When we took our other rabbit in this Wednesday for her post surgery recheck (from her incisor/absess removal) we asked the vet again about her dry skin and itching. He didn’t think she had mites, but said that the test was only 25 dollars and was better than the risk that she has to keep living with them. The test came back positive and we got Revolution for her and our other rabbit. 

 

He’s the third vet we asked and this was the second time asking him. I know this sentiment has been echoed here again and again, but if you think there’s something wrong with your rabbit you’re probably right. There’s no way any veterinarian can know your bunny better than you. Push for tests if you’re confident. Obviously I’m not upset at them or anything, as the last two were great rabbit vets. Just saying.

 

I do have questions about cleaning up after the mites if anyone has any experience. I’m already going to vacuum and wash EVERYTHING that I can at least once a week for the next six weeks. They are currently living over an area rug in our kitchen, and I went ahead and bought a replacement today. Should I get rid of the old one? If I clean it, set it aside, and give it a few weeks will it be safe to use again? I’d like to be able to cycle them so I can clean them monthly or so. I’ve been afraid to use any cleaner since I got it because they live on it and I wouldn’t want them using it again the same week, much less the same day.

 

What about the maze haven and tunnel haven? I was going to pull it apart and wipe it down with a damp towel. Would that be enough? I’d really rather not get rid of it if possible, but cannot think of any safe way to clean it.

 

What about carpet? Does anyone have any tips on a brand of insect growth regulator/mite spray? I was also planning on using it on the furniture I cannot wash. Where can I find it? The only mite spray they had at Home Depot was outdoors only.

 

Their second dose of Revolution is in 3 weeks. Should I change their matt today or should I wait? Would it be best to change it out today, clean it with some sort of mite spray and shampoo, and then put it back in three weeks immediately after their next treatment to lower the risk of them being on contaminated carpet? That was what I was thinking, but I’d like second opinions. Dunno if that will be enough time.

 

Any general tips or past experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time everyone.

 

EDIT: The mite is cheyletiella.

[Sarita]

You know, many times mites are due to a low immunity problem and if your rabbit has recently had some major dental surgery, it’s probably more a cause of this rather than their items being contaminated with mites. Once they take their revolution dosage then it will kill off the mites.

Just do a thorough cleaning of your items and that should be fine. No need to be stressed or fret about this.

[equalsign]

Posted By Sarita on 11/04/2011 10:20 AM
You know, many times mites are due to a low immunity problem and if your rabbit has recently had some major dental surgery, it’s probably more a cause of this rather than their items being contaminated with mites. Once they take their revolution dosage then it will kill off the mites.

Just do a thorough cleaning of your items and that should be fine. No need to be stressed or fret about this.

 

I hadn’t thought of that. She had been itching before, but it’s gotten noticeably worse in the two weeks since her surgery. I am still worried about the mites having been spread around the environment though and am probably going to clean like crazy, even if it’s unnecessary. Can’t help it! My girlfriend has maybe 20-30 bites on her, so I’m thinking they might be on our couch. She’s on it all the time and I rarely am. I have no bites, though she’s extremely sickly all the time and I never am. Forgot to include this, but the specific mite is cheyletiella.

[BinkyBunny]

 I have been fortunate enough not to have ever dealt with a mite problem, but I would talk to your vet about the “clean-up” process since it seem to be affecting your girlfriend so much too.  Normally mites don’t hang out on humans for too long,and I have read that though they can reproduce on human skin, it’s not as much and definitely not as likely,  but can cause irritation for just a very short time (Nothing like what your girlfriend is experiencing).     So when you say she is more sickly — are you talking about your girlfriend? IF so, her immune system is not fighting off the mites and she still has them after your bunny and area has been treated, she might benefit from going to a doctor/dermatologist to help her immune system fend off any mites that she may be infected with.  (NORMALLY people do NOT have to do this, so I don’t want to freak anyone out.  It’s just that if her immune system is weaker, she may need a boost in this case if things don’t clear up for her after all has been treated.).  

[Sarita]

I agree, have your girlfriend consult her doctor about her problem as well.

I used to have a rabbit who continually had mites and i never experienced any problems myself and I was touching and medicating and caring for him quite a bit as well.

[equalsign]

 She does have a really weak immune system. She feels ill almost every day and is always getting sick. Ran the idea by my girlfriend and she freaked. She always does when I bring up medical things. She agreed that if they weren’t going away in a couple of days that we could get them checked out at least.

 

As for the clean up, I’ve decided to skip the anti-insect stuff. It seems way shady and unsafe. I think I’ll take my chances with the mites. 

 

I think the Revolution has really helped. She did more binkies today than we’ve seen her do in months (total) and has been much more cuddly and happy.

 

She’s been itching at her feet a ton, so I’m afraid she may have gotten them again from her pen. I could just be paranoid though. Switched out the carpet today, and have the other rug in storage until the mites pass. She gave me glares, but doesn’t seem too upset. Our boy didn’t seem to mind it either.

 

My rabbit got back from his neuter and seems to be doing alright. He wouldn’t eat all day and we were about to start force feeding him. He must have known, because as the pellets were soaking he started nibbling pellets, and has eaten a little bit of hay and lettuce since. Thank goodness. Luckily, I think he’s too miserable to have noticed that we washed his beloved cat toy. Unlike our girl, he’s kind of a fragile bunny. I’m just hoping he keeps eating and recovering.

[RabbitPam]

Glad they both seem to be improving.
He may not want hard pellets before eating the soft stuff, so I would push the lettuce first, them maybe a bite of apple or banana to entice his appetite, then hay and then pellets last.

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