Revolution for monthly prevention

[Theo&Mickey]

Would it be okay to use Revolution on my rabbits each month? I use the puppy/kitten one.

I worry about mite infestation with the little bugs potentially riding in on the hay. I can’t freeze the hay with the amount I buy – don’t have the space. Plus, I read that doesn’t always kill the mites or even the eggs. 

Is it over-kill to use Revolution monthly as a preventative? Would every two months be enough to protect them from the buggies?

I hate the idea of using chemicals regularly on my bunnies. Both my rabbits have suffered hair loss on the spot on the nape of the neck where I applied the Revolution. 

[LongEaredLions]

I believe several members use revolution as a preventative, though if your bunnies have an adverse reaction to it I would be inclined to save the Revolution and not use it unless needed. Have you had problems in the past with bugs in the hay?

ETA: Many bunnies have sparse hair on the back of their necks–is it a possibility that this is what you’re seeing?

[Theo&Mickey]

Hey LongEaredLions,

Theo definitely had a big patch of hair loss on the back of his neck, which finally grew in last month. The skin was not inflamed and I did think that perhaps it was due to a molt, but seems a big coincidence that it was located exactly where I put the Revolution. Same with Mickey, after a few days, I noticed some hair loss in that area. I worry that it’s affecting them negatively in other ways I can’t see.

The reason I’m so paranoid is that someone who buys the same hay as me had a bunny who got mites, and she thinks it was down to the hay. I don’t have another hay source – I buy Timothy hay as a topper but it’s so expensive I can’t use it liberally.

I just don’t want to risk mites on my bunnies. I have seen the devastation they can cause.

[Boston's Mama]

My vet is against it as a regular use – he thinks it should only be used to treat not prevent
However I see others on the net use it to prevent and I recently started to also – for bunnies it’s 6weekly though not monthly

[Theo&Mickey]

Thnx Boston’s Mama! Where did you get the info about using Revolution every 6 weeks for bunnies?

I like to think it works up to 2 months for them, but maybe that’s wishful thinking!
If a vet does not recommend its regular use, that is concerning, though.

Do you use the kitten formula or the adult cat formula split for 2 or 3? It works out cheaper for me to buy the adult one rather than the kittens, but it’s not easy to split it equally in that capsule. I have yet to try cutting it and using a syringe. It’s just fiddly and so much easier to use the one-dose kitten.

[Boston's Mama]

I tried splitting using tiny syringe but that doesn’t work well so I gave up and just use a kitten /puppy full one each bunny ( mines 3 lbs though – just sharing that incase people with baby bunnies are reading for advice – I do not recommend for under 2lbs bunny without vet advice first )
I’ll try find the info about the 6weeks thing , my vet also explained to me why it’s 6 weeks for bunnies but I forget the reasons he gave now sorry

[Theo&Mickey]

Theo is around 4 1/2 lbs – your guy is tiny!

[Q8bunny]

My vet said monthly is fine as a preventive measure if you suspect contact with mites.

[Deleted User]

If the vet will allow then I think it’s good enough. Do you visit a vet regularly?

[Theo&Mickey]

I can never be completely sure the hay is mite-free, so my decision is to use Revolution as a preventative. Thanks 8Qbunny.
Do I visit a vet regularly? Yes. Have yet to ask about Revolution in this context.

[Q8bunny]

Here in Kuwait it’s rebranded as Stronghold, so it’s likely what you’ll find in Bahrain

[Theo&Mickey]

I found it branded as Revolution!

[Sarita]

I don’t think it’s necessary for indoor rabbits unless they have possible contact with dogs and cats who are indoor/outdoor for flea prevention.

As for mites – I’ve never had a problem in all my years with a healthy rabbit having issues with mites – usually it is a concern for a rabbit with compromised health or poor living conditions.

Just my opinion.

[Q8bunny]

Nice! It’s a great product.

[Theo&Mickey]

Sarita, thanks for your opinion – are you saying that only a bunny with a low immune system or otherwise unhealthy would get mites if in contact?

I would prefer not to medicate them and genuinely want to explore what’s best.

[Sarita]

Posted By Theo&Mickey on 8/31/2017 9:09 AM

Sarita, thanks for your opinion – are you saying that only a bunny with a low immune system or otherwise unhealthy would get mites if in contact?

I would prefer not to medicate them and genuinely want to explore what’s best.

No, any rabbit could be susceptible to mites but it usually only affects them if they come in contact and are living in unhealthy conditions or are otherwise compromised when they come in contact – that is usually what mites are associated with in my experience.  A healthy rabbit may have mites but will not have symptoms like a sick or stressed rabbit.

[Theo&Mickey]

I see, thanks for clearing that up!

[Q8bunny]

Chewie is super healthy and chilled, but if he skips a dose or two, he scratches his ears a lot more. The Oxbow hay he gets could be the culprit (gods know how it’s stored here in Kuwait, plus in the store itself it’s stored near the bun enclosure and those poor buns… don’t get me started. BUT my little guy also gets out to the beach and park etc, so he’s probably exposed to feral cat cooties.

[Theo&Mickey]

Lucky Chewie has adventures at the beach and park!

It’s the same with the meadow hay I buy, have no idea how it’s stored here in Bahrain, might even be in a room without air conditioning.

[Q8bunny]

I suspect it sits out in the sun while clearing customs… the bag of oat hay we got this month was pale yellow on the outside and a nice green inside. Pfff… amateurs.

[joea64]

I’m going to be getting my hay (as I think I’ve mentioned before) from Friends of Rabbits, the people from whom I adopted Panda and Fernando. In fact, I’ve made arrangements with them for a hay refill this weekend since my supply is decreasing faster than I’d anticipated; those little fluff machines go through it like the proverbial buzzsaw through wood. Friends of Rabbits gets bales of mixed grass hay from local farmers and sells whole bales for $24 US, or portions thereof for appropriate prices; I’ve placed my order for 1/4 to 1/3 bale, which is about as much as I can store in my compacted circumstances. I don’t know when exactly the hay was originally cut, but it’s been stored properly and smells nice and fresh; I store it in a large plastic bin with the lid loosened to allow airflow.

By the way, I ordered a couple of bags of Oxbow apple/banana Simple Rewards from Friends of Rabbits, and found out that there’d been a major shortage of that flavor recently because Oxbow has been moving its plant to new quarters (this appears to also have caused a major run on their barley cookies). They’re expecting a new shipment hopefully tomorrow, though.

[Theo&Mickey]

Q8bunny, you are fortunate to be able to buy Oxbow… I am seriously jealous
We used to get Burgess hay but they stopped bringing that in. Shame, because there was all sorts and herbage, too.
Now I get Zupreem western timothy hay and some Hooi brand of meadow hay from Holland (I believe).

[Q8bunny]

We have occasional Oxbow shortages (like the great sour cream shortage of 2010). I dream of fresh cut hay too, though…

[Author]

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