white bug(s) occassionally seen on rabbits

[Pinkbun]

Hi ! 

I appreciate anyone who reads this! I just want help to identify these white almost maggot like bugs on rabbits. I usually find them on the face of the rabbits and they are usually only one of them at a time. they are big enough to be seen and sit on the tip of yr fingernail. I know they are not walking dandruff as the rabbits have had it before (from dog) and its never come back after so I am aware what that looks like. I do use xeno 450 every month on them as a preventative measure. they almost look like a type of fly larva but I’m not sure. the bugs seems to stick to the top of the fur on the rabbits face. it doesn’t seem to do anything (I think) to the rabbit but I am unsure. but everytime I see them I always remove them with my fingers. they don’t bite (I think). I dunno what they are. I dunno where there come from as I clean the rabbits every 2-3 days. the rabbits live indoors in case that helps. I mainly wanna know if they are harmful or not to rabbits or to people. but I was hoping the xeno would deal with them. again thnxs for reading. apologies for the short sentences, written in a hurry! help is appreciated!

p.s. I tried to take a picture of one but it didn’t really show up well. it just came out like a blur :/ 

[Wick & Fable]

I’d see a rabbit vet for a thorough examination and examine the living space as well.

I don’t know what fly larva look like, but rabbits can contract something called flystrike, which can be a very painful and lethal condition if not addressed. Holes begin forming in the rabbit where bug larvae crawl out of I believe.

You should take your rabbit to a rabbit vet for a thorough examination of their entire body. Bugs reappearing on the rabbit is not normal and the likelihood of them burrowing into dense rabbit fur or inhabiting the anal region because of its proximity and scent of fecal matter can he very dangerous.

Even if they’re not outside, it’s still possible to contract this since bugs are attracted to poop in general.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[kurottabun]

I saw in your other post that one of your rabbits is disabled and hence will tend to have a wet bottom. Damp areas smelling of pee combined with rabbit poop is probably very attractive to parasites/mites/flies etc.

Like Wick said, please bring your bunnies to a rabbit savvy vet and find out what’s the problem. Also where do they live in the house? If it’s in/near the kitchen and there’s often food lying around, those may attract unwanted pests as well.

[LBJ10]

There aren’t a lot of things it could be. Like the others said, they are most likely fly larva. If they are crawling on the face, then they are probably hidden in other places you can’t see as well too.

[Pinkbun]

thnxs for all the answers! 

I checked the bums very thorough (yes) this mourning and couldn’t find any crawlies or critters living there. I couldn’t find any wounds or anything only dried poop and pee on bonnie’s butt. but its gone now thnxs to baby wipes the other rabbit was clean. unless there living in the environment ? but I clean it every few days so hopefully it shouldn’t bother them (I hope). I saw no bug things on them this mourning.

however I do notice this a lot that the bedding of sawdust gets damp so fast as bonnie likes to pee anywhere she can. any suggestions on how to stop the bedding getting wet so fast? maybe that attracts flies? thnxs for any help 

[sarahthegemini]

You shouldn’t really use sawdust. Try something like wood pellets or carefresh.

[Deleted User]

Is she spayed? If the answer is no, she’s going to keep peeing until she is spayed. If she is spayed, don’t put bedding all over the cage. It teaches them that the whole cage is a litter box. Keep the bedding to the litter box.

[Pinkbun]

Yes the rabbit is spayed (from what the vet said) as she had scars when I got her. However as I adopted the rabbits about 3 yrs ago they had no litter box training whatsoever. I tried everything I could to connect with them ‘then’ but it didn’t work. The rabbits just were terrified of people due to there previous owners neglect. Bonnie in particular will not interact with people when she’s out she prefers to hide. I have tried multiple different tecniques for a litter box but none worked for these rabbits. I do place puppy pads out when there out the boy rabbit is OK on them. But bonnie would poop in a dark area (Cardboard box) so I placed puppy pads in it. They seem to like dark places? As recently the box had to be thrown due to wear and I haven’t got another yet but I’ve noticed she hasn’t gone poop in any of the other hides (they’re not as enclosed as box) so every time she’s out now they never go. I find it wierd. I seriously need a box :/ or some form of enclosed space.sry again for short sentences :/ Thnxs in advance

[Deleted User]

What did you do to try to litter train them? Sorry to ask, but you never know. Could you put a litter box under a hidey box? In case she does like that privacy? Like Sarah said, avoid sawdust because it does cause breathing problems. Carefresh is a really good option.

[Pinkbun]

Apologies for late reply. The rabbits have been running around for about 2 hrs now. I’ve noticed something very concerning about Bonnie. She’s limpid and her head is tilting to the left. She also doesn’t seem to walk well on the left side. She moves around almost like she has vertigo and she’s shakes. I’ve never seen this before and I’m very concerned for her. She can’t walk well without dragging something along so I’m going to put her in erly. Is it possible she could have had a stroke? Her head keeps tilting to her left and she keeps trying to fix it it’s hard to describe, like when yr tired and you don’t want to fall asleep. I’m not sure exactly if she had a stroke but she’s definatly acting odd. She wasn’t like this last night. And she’s only about 3/4 yrs old. Any advice ? I apologise to change to subject but this is actually urgent. They have a vet appointment tomorrow any help is appreciated!!!!
P.s sry I don’t know how to change the topic title :/

[Wick & Fable]

My guess is a foreign invader illness. I’m still leaning towards fly strike due to the maggots you have been seeing. Head tilt is also indicative of E cunniculi, but the white bugs, again, more so fly strike. See below for two websites (no graphic images) with some information about fly strike:

http://www.medicanimal.com/The-symptoms-treatment-and-prevention-of-fly-strike-in-rabbits/a/ART111555
http://www.vets-now.com/pet-care-advice/flystrike-in-rabbits/

— I do not have personal experience with a rabbit with similar ailments, but the two websites above seem to give accurate, general information. Try and save some of the bugs to show the vet.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Deleted User]

It sounds like E-Cuniculi or an inner ear infection. Ask to test of EC. A lot of vets won’t always do it, but definitely ask for the test. Head tilt can be a detector for either issue. EC can also have a false negative result. If it’s an ear infection they’ll treat with an antibiotic. If it’s EC they’ll treat with a 28 day course Panacur or Oxibendazole.

In the mean time, help feed her and water her that way she doesn’t develop stasis too.

[Muj Mom N Bun]

So sorry that your bun is not well… hoping for quick and happy healthy recovery…
I also wanted to tell you thank you for bringing this topic up… it’s been on my mind too much and I have been dragging my heels a little bit with starting a topic on Deadly Fly Strike… but now I will.

Sending you best wishes for your bun

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