Rabbit Still Has Fleas!

[BrittsBunny]

(Okay, first, don't jump me because I don't know what forum this belongs in, thanks).

Anyways, my bunny has had fleas for awhile now. I'll catch one or two jumping on him. When I took him home for vacation I thought they all disappeared...but when I got back to my apartment, I found them on him again. Thanks to my previous roommates dog that had fleas, they must be still in the carpet.

I had bought a spray from the LPS for fleas on rabbits, guineas, etc...but it doesn't seem to be working. What do I need to do/get to get rid of these fleas?!

 

[SweetSassy]

I forget the name. But you need to go to the vet and get the Liquid that goes on the back(shoulders). I think it's called Revolution.



edit: you might want to set off a flea bomb in your apt.

 

[Sweetie]

There is frontline for cats. If you get this you will need to half dose it for your rabbit.

 

[NorthernAutumn]

NO FRONTLINE... KILLS BUNNIES!

Sorry to look dramatic, but Frontline has been documented as killing a large number of rabbits in Veterinary clinics and at home. It can never ever be used on a rabbit.

Your pharmaceutical options are Revolution or Advantage.

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=48845&forum_id=16&highlight=fleas

 

[TinysMom]

I use Advantage - in fact - I just put a few drops behind Zeus' ear.

I buy it in quantity off Ebay and treat my whole herd with it regularly since I have dogs that go outside and walk through the rabbitry.

 

[NorthernAutumn]

Here is a comprehensive guide to flea management, courtesy of the Lagomorph Library:
http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=12922&forum_id=10

 

[tonyshuman]

No Frontline, use Revolution (kitten one) or Advantage.

Make sure you treat the environment as well, like the carpet and upholstery, with a powder or appropriate spray.

 

[ra7751]

Couple of things

>DO NOT USE FRONTLINE ON RABBITS

>Eggs

I use Revolution on all my animals for fleas. It is also effective against several other parasites. Since you have an infestation, this treatment will have to be repeated to interrupt the life cycle of the eggs. I have never had any side effects from Revolution...even used it on wildlife. Advantage has been used safely in most rabbits but there have been some reports of reactions....and this can be true with any treatment. I also use Adams Flea and Tick Spray....water based as a quickie.....again, always a possibility for reaction but unlikely since it is water based.

The only way to get rid of the fleas is to break their life cycle and make sure they are not brought in from the outside. Keep in mind that if you walk thru an outside area that is infested with fleas, they hitch a ride on your shoes.

Randy

 

[jamesedwardwaller]

TinysMom wrote:

I use Advantage - in fact - I just put a few drops behind Zeus' ear.

I buy it in quantity off Ebay and treat my whole herd with it regularly since I have dogs that go outside and walk through the rabbitry.

aaaaahhhhh,here we go,,another believer,,thank you god,,,..i generally always keep advantage on hand,,but i paniced earlier this month(july)-to head off an epidemic,,it worked,,but used up two boxes(8 viles),,expensive but it does what is says and reading directions is a must,,,i use the orange box,,,i have tried everything else,,nothing works like this stuff(insecticide)-no fuss,no trauma,,no fleas,mites,etc..,,,thank you for your post,,i believe,,sincerely james waller

 

[BrittsBunny]

WOW thanks yall for the replies!!

Looks like Revolution is the way to go!

& what do you mean set off a flea bomb? Are there safe sprays and powders to use in my room that will not hurt my bun? Any recommendations?

 

[SweetSassy]

You and your pets would have to leave the house for a certain amount of time. You'd have to read the directions. I haven't used one. I've known people who have, who had fleas.



Sorry thats all I know....April

 

[jamesedwardwaller]

has everyone lost their minds??..rabbits are consumate groomers,,a holiday flea bomb disperses insecticide everywhere,,see the problem/stop and think/this is a giant problem and i sent a pm this person to try and stop it,./.omg--no spays,no powders,if this is not handled properly there is going to be very sick children,and dead pets,..if this flea thing is major then it requires an exotic specialist,,sincerely james waller

 

[pamnock]

I agree that a vet needs to be consulted and you need to safely de-flea the house. You find that most of the OTC flea medications are ineffective.

The larvae live in the carpet and in bedding areas, so these need to be cleaned with hot water. I steam clean my carpet frequently and wash bedding as well as using frontline plus on my dogs. (Vacuums don't work well in removinglarvae from the carpet).



Pam

 

[tonyshuman]

Sorry, I don't know anything about how to treat the environment. I know that flea bombs can be used in well ventillated areas, I've never used one and I don't know how they work at all. Steam cleaning would be really good, safe, and easy. It sounds like the way to go. Sorry I brought up the bomb. I figured it would be safe to use inside if you ventillated the area sufficiently afterward.

 

[pamnock]

Keep in mind that just because a vet is an "exotic specialist" does not mean that they are a "rabbit specialist". Most have no more experience than any small animal vet. Vets receive very little rabbit training because rabbits generally comprise a very smallpatient base.

Pam

 

[Flash]

I used Revolution on my bunnies when I got fleas from the moving blankets. What a mess. I also bought the De-Flea Spray for the rugs and couch and it worked great. And it's harmless to pets.