Ear or Fur mites or both or what? (WARNING!! PHOTOS are DISTURBING)

[bunnies_in_a_bucket]

One of my bunnies got ear mites, then others got it. One got mange/fur mites. THis all seemed to happen overnight. I take great care of my bunnies and am trying to stay on top of this problem.
They are all getting better or are already better. My smallest bunny, named Nutmeg, just reached breeding age, but now, she is not doing well. She was one of the last of the bunnies who got this to come down with it. When she did start losing hair it has slowly gotten worse. She really is not responding and I am concerned as she looks so very bad. l have tried treating her for mange mites as well as ear mites. She has yellow crust on the outside of her ears, and on her cheeks, neck, and now a little on her back.

All of the other rabbits responded very well and have all healed from the fur mites and ear mites. I used natural treatments for all. Here is what I have been doing for all rabbits including Nutmeg as I treated all rabbits for both kinds of mites just in case.

Fur mites: Original Listerine on spine from neck to tail. DE on fur (repeated once a week) All rabbits either healed from the mites or continued to show no signs of mites.

Ear mites: Extra Virgin Olive Oil drops with tea tree, rosemary, and lavender in the oil.

All rabbits receive water that has Apple cider vinegar and Grapefruit Seed Extract in it to fight infection and improve immune system. They all are eating fine and have normal poop. THeir personalities and activity level remains the same too and are very happy. Nutmeg, however, I know is not happy. She is getting worse and not better.

I am open to more suggestions to help her. All of your other suggestions (Listerine, EVOO, ACV, and DE) all worked so well. Thank you for your help. I want her to be well again.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

We took ours to the vet as we weren't having any luck with eradication.

 

[luvthempigs]

Wow, That does look bad. Poor bunny

I don't have personal experience with this but if this was my rabbit at this stage I would be making a trip to the vet.

Have you done any searches on the forum for ear mites? There's some good info. Atleast you can do some reading while you wait for a response from a moderator or another member with experience with this problem.

I hope you can get this under control quickly and get your bunny looking and feeling better soon

 

[bunnies_in_a_bucket]

I'm trying not to take Nutmeg to the vet. I don't have much money to spare, 'till one of my other bunnies gives birth

 

[bunnies_in_a_bucket]

thank you for your input

 

[Watermelons]

Please take your rabbit to the vet. Regardless of the type of mite proper treatment needs to be used. Revolution is often one of the best options in cases like this. Even if the others aren't still showing signs they probably still have the bugs.

 

[bunnies_in_a_bucket]

We have Revolution here we use for our cats and our kitten. Is it the same strength?

 

[missyscove]

I think you're out of "natural" options. Do you have a vet? If you already have a relationship with a vet, they may give you Revolution (selamectin) without examining the rabbit. Revolution generally requires a prescription because it is effective against heartworms in dogs and so should only be used on dogs that are heartworm negative.

Another option would be ivermectin which you may be able to get from a feed store. Dosage for oral ivermectin can be tricky so an injection from your vet really would be preferable.

 

[woahlookitsme]

^ yea that

I used the kitten/puppy dose for my buns and it healed any mites really nicely.

If you get ivermectin we normally put 2-3 drops in each ear.

Id say do revolution though. It takes care of a bunch of different mites for off label use.

 

[luvthempigs]

So for a small rabbit like this is one tube of Revolution for kittens/puppies up to 5 pounds the correct dose for this bunny?

 

[missyscove]

From some really quick research, it looks like the typical dosage for cats and dogs is 6mg/kg (Small Animal Clinical Pharmacology) and the recommended dose for rabbits ranges from 6-18 mg/kg so using the dose by weight for dogs or cats should be okay. One concern with selamectin use in rabbits is that it has a shorter half life (1 day in rabbits vs. 11.1 days in dogs an 8.25 days in cats) so while it is very effective at immediate treatment of parasites, it doesn't have the same residual effects you would see in other pets meaning rabbits may need to be retreated more often. (Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents, 3rd edition)

 

[bunnies_in_a_bucket]

I found this site with proper dosages. See chart at bottom of web page.


I weighed her and will give her the proper dosage tonight. Now I am curious based on the latest reply, how often I need to reapply?[
http://www.rabbitsforpets.com/rabbit-mites/

 

[luvthempigs]

I'm concerned for not only this bunny (because it looks so bad) but also because there are other rabbits involved. I wonder why the others seem to have gotten better while this little guy is getting worse.

I understand being reluctant to go to the vet especially when times are so tough financially. It's a decision only you as the owner of your animal can make.

Since the others seem better it might be a good idea to keep Nutmeg in another room or somewhere else where she won't reinfest the others. You mention babies on the way and you don't want to risk them getting this as well. Be really diligent about cleaning cages and the entire area where your rabbis are housed.

Good luck and please keep us posted

 

[luvthempigs]

Nice chart

Somewhere on that page it says to repeat dose in 2-4 weeks. I'm thinking you will most likely want to redose at two weeks. Then maybe again in a month? Like I said before I have not done this with any of my rabbits. This is just opinion and not true experience on my part

 

[bunnies_in_a_bucket]

Oh I have her separate and I am disinfecting everything regularly. It is strange how she's the only one like this. I will try Revolution as that is what the vet will give. I will reapply in 2weeks. At the first sign of any relapse with any of the others they are getting some too. I weighed all my bunnies tonight and made a dosing chart just in case.

 

[luvthempigs]

Cool, Good luck!

 

[Pie]

When Hubert had ear mights, I used revolution at 3 doses 3 weeks apart. It was the same stuff I give my cats. Could you give the vet a call for advice on dosage?

 

[luvthempigs]

So how are things going?

 

[bunnies_in_a_bucket]

Just wanted to update everyone who helped me. I used the Revolution vials I had here for my cats. I followed the chart posted in a link above for strength and dosages. It has been 2 weeks and she has no further signs of any mites. SHe is perking up and has new hair growth in all of her areas. All of her skin has returned to its normal coloring and she is back on the road to being a happy, healthy, bunny! Just thought I would update in case that proved helpful for anyone else.

 

[bunnies_in_a_bucket]

Since Revolution can be purchased at Petsmart, though mine is from my vet, I thought it was good to share what was effective on an extreme case like Nutmeg's. Obviously, if this had not worked, I would have taken her to a vet, but it is good to know I saved, $50 office visit by trying this recommended treatment that the vet would have given anyway. Now on to taking care of my AFL doe and one of my LH does who should be giving birth in a few weeks Thanks again everyone!