we got fleas

[Laura]

Hi,

We have fleas.  (Buns are outdoors.)  What is the flea med that is okay for buns, Advantage? Frontline? I remember I was going to get something last year and didn’t because I couldn’t afford it (4 rabbits).

I also have Flea Away that I used in the house last year.  It can be used indoors/outdoors and on cats/dogs.  I was thinking of using this around the rabbitat (outside, surrounding their living quarters; but not in).

Thanks,
Laura

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[Deleted User]

Hi Laura

Long time no see or hear … hope you been well … and I hope all buns are happy.  You have a great setup there.

You can use Advantage … safe for buns  … FRONTLINE WILL KILL BUNNIES.

I have not heard of Flea Away … perhaps someone else here might know of it.

Dawn xx

[Toki+Pumpkin+Elmo]

It’s too bad that there’s no flee meds specifically for the rabbits.

[rabbitsmba]

Just thought I’d post this warning for those with dogs and cats – it’s about a new flea/tick product – don’t use this on bunnies either!…

This is a very important message to my family & friends who have
dogs-cats–and to alert you to the hazard of using a new Flea & Tick
Preventative called ProMeris (http://www.promeris .com/consumer/
)

This is a new product designed to be a more effective product than
other flea/tick treatments that was just released this year. It is
available
thru a vet and not currently on-line. I got ProMeris this week for
my 7 dogs (6 Huskies & 1 Golden-Airedale) and the results were
debilitating for nearly all of them-including me. Since my incident
this week, my vet has pulled it from distribution and alerted the
manufacturer, Fort Dodge.

Here are my results : Within less than 2 hours after applying, 4 of
my
dogs had vomited from 2-4 times, 3 were disoriented and stumbling, 1
was dragging his back leg, 1 was salivating.

I had very similar symptoms like an allergic reaction-my lips were
swollen, eyes very red, mucous membranes such as eyes, nose, and
mouth were stinging. I was very disoriented- dizzy equilibrium and
not able to drive.

To make this a short story – all 7 of my dogs were admitted to the
hospital for
Veterinarian care, and 3 of them remained for care, IV fluids and
observation for 24 hours. I was in the emergency room. I’m home
now and so are the dogs. We’re all feeling much better. Vet bills
were over
$2,500 and Fort Dodge is paying for these. Not only can the product
cause this reaction, it has a highly noxious odor that permeated the
house and is just starting to dissipate after 3 days.

[Beka27]

yikes! that is scary! i’d check with your vet before using any medication on the buns and see what they say about treating the outside of the building.

[Laura]

Hi

Any other options?  I can’t afford Advantage, it’s about $50 a month. Any natural alternatives?

Gerald has been sick.  I finally had a culture done (2 months ago) and it’s pasteurella (not multocida).  He just finished his medication.  I can tell he is feeling much better.  I’m pretty sure he has had this before too, we just didn’t do a culture at that time.

Thanks,

Laura

[Sarita]

Well, there’s also Revolution but I think that is pricey as well and is by prescription as well. Not sure of any natural alternatives either.

[kimberleyanddarren]

if your buns have fleas you need to get rid of them, none of us can afford for our buns to get sick or need vet treatment but they just have to, i know its really mean to say bun u cant not do it im affraid

[skunklionshow]

For some reason, my apartment always seems to get fleas!  I’m blaming the apt, b/c when I lived in Chgo, I never had fleas.  Anyway, b/c I have to treat 2 rabbits & 4 cats….it’s always very pricey.  W/ most rabbits you can use one tube for 2 rabbits…as long as you don’t have humongous rabbits.  I had read in a vinegar book that a few drops of apple cidar vinegar in pet’s water is a natural flea remedy.  I’ve never tried that, so I can’t vouch for it.  I also suggest asking your vet if they would give you a bulk purchase discount?  I know it’s cheaper when you buy a multi tx pack, but my vet usually knocks off a few extra bucks if I buy 2 or 3 multi-packs at once.

[Laura]

Vet just got CareCredit, maybe I can put it on that. Thanks for all your help.

[Vinnie D.]

whatever you do stay away from Frontline. I wouldn’t even use it on a cat or dog in in the same house. (In fact if the company that makes it closed up shop forever they’d deserve it for not putting any sort of warning on the product)

Advantage is safe. My vet has also recommended Zodiac which a sort of watered down knockoff of advantage you can get in pet stores. I’m using ultra care flea and tick spray. it’s designed for small animals like rabbits and to my knowlege is the only rabbit flea treatment out there. It’s worked on Nell plenty of times. To apply it I’d advise putting it on a brush then brushing the bunny thoroughly, after which you should dry your bun as they will otherwise lick it off. (though Nel’s run away and started licking mid treatment with no ill effects before so it’s probably not dangerous in small amounts)

If you’re unsure about any medication there is the option of just regular bathing until you get rid of all the living fleas. As I recall cat and dog fleas are rather species specific and can only reproduce after feeding on their species specific blood, so a flea infestation on a rabbit eventually dies off with no subsequent generations. Of course if you have rabbit fleas that’s a whole different story. By no means though should you do nothing and wait it out. Talk to a vet and find something to do.

I personally get rid of fleas at the source now, by keeping the cats in flea collars.

[Gravehearted]

Advantage should not be $50 a month, depending on your rabbit’s weight, my vet sent me how with one single vial of adult cat advantage, which was enough to dose all 3 of my 5-6 pound rabbits. I would recommend Advantage or Revolution only. If it’s just one flea it’s different, since you can use a flea brush and try to get rid of it – but your bunnies are living outside, which is a whole different kind of thing.

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