Rabbit Fur Mite Treatment?

[TroyerGal]

Tea tree oil is good for stuff like that..

 

[shadow rabbit10]

Maybe. Have you switched bedding brands/types recently? If it was the bedding, probably more than just one rabbit would be infected.

I know that's why I'm puzzled. I think the rabbit living next to the infected one has them as well, but I'm not sure about the other two who don't share a hutch with him. They're so small though, it could be that I haven't found them yet. I just really have no idea where else they would have came from. We don't have dogs or cats that could have given them mites, and we haven't let the rabbits run around on the ground outside in a while. I did start using straw in the hutches for the winter pretty recently, though.

 

[DutchBunny03]

I know that's why I'm puzzled. I think the rabbit living next to the infected one has them as well, but I'm not sure about the other two who don't share a hutch with him. They're so small though, it could be that I haven't found them yet. I just really have no idea where else they would have came from. We don't have dogs or cats that could have given them mites, and we haven't let the rabbits run around on the ground outside in a while. I did start using straw in the hutches for the winter pretty recently, though.

What type of hutch do you use?

 

[shadow rabbit10]

What type of hutch do you use?

My hutches are made of wood and have an open, wire area and then a closed off wood hideaway area. I have two double hutches so each holds 2 rabbits (the rabbits are separated by wire though). I've had them for years. When it gets cold I stuff the enclosed area with straw but when it's warm I don't use any bedding. I only just recently had to start using straw which is why I'm suspicious of the bedding.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

There's a species of mite called cheyletiella which is also know as "walking dandruff". This mite can be spread to small exotics from other animals like dogs and cats. Again, I can't say for sure that's what your rabbit has but it is a possibility.

 

[DutchBunny03]

My hutches are made of wood and have an open, wire area and then a closed off wood hideaway area. I have two double hutches so each holds 2 rabbits (the rabbits are separated by wire though). I've had them for years. When it gets cold I stuff the enclosed area with straw but when it's warm I don't use any bedding. I only just recently had to start using straw which is why I'm suspicious of the bedding.

Sounds like good housing. Have you ever had problems with mites in the same housing before?

 

[DutchBunny03]

What did you use before you used straw?

 

[shadow rabbit10]

There's a species of mite called cheyletiella which is also know as "walking dandruff". This mite can be spread to small exotics from other animals like dogs and cats. Again, I can't say for sure that's what your rabbit has but it is a possibility.

I've done some research and I'm pretty sure that's what he has. He's missing some fur and has huge chunks of dandruff coming off his back. I also saw the mites (hardly, they're very small), they are a white/yellow color.

Sounds like good housing. Have you ever had problems with mites in the same housing before?

Nope. I've never had mites (even when I used to show my animals). Besides getting pinworms, my rabbits have never had any parasites.

What did you use before you used straw?

I've always used straw. However it's a seasonal thing. In the spring, summer, and fall I don't have to put bedding in the hutch because it's too warm and they tend to go to the bathroom in the outdoor section of their hutches. I only use the straw for warmth in the winter. I do buy straw from the same store however.

Yesterday I threw out the old straw I was using just in case and totally cleaned out the hutches. Gave them new straw from a different store. Talked to someone I know who has had these mites before and she recommended treating with Ivomec, 0.018 cc/pound of body weight. Thankfully I had a 1 mL syringe lying around. I treated two days ago so I'll have to see what happens. If this doesn't help I'll have to take a trip to the vet.

 

[DutchBunny03]

I've done some research and I'm pretty sure that's what he has. He's missing some fur and has huge chunks of dandruff coming off his back. I also saw the mites (hardly, they're very small), they are a white/yellow color.

Nope. I've never had mites (even when I used to show my animals). Besides getting pinworms, my rabbits have never had any parasites.

I've always used straw. However it's a seasonal thing. In the spring, summer, and fall I don't have to put bedding in the hutch because it's too warm and they tend to go to the bathroom in the outdoor section of their hutches. I only use the straw for warmth in the winter. I do buy straw from the same store however.

Yesterday I threw out the old straw I was using just in case and totally cleaned out the hutches. Gave them new straw from a different store. Talked to someone I know who has had these mites before and she recommended treating with Ivomec, 0.018 cc/pound of body weight. Thankfully I had a 1 mL syringe lying around. I treated two days ago so I'll have to see what happens. If this doesn't help I'll have to take a trip to the vet.

Ok. Maybe this was just a bad cutting of straw. Sounds like a good plan.

 

[trahana]

You'll want to skip the oil treatments, it won't work on fur mites(they are great for ear mites though). My rabbit had fur mites and what worked was Ivermectin. I red-necked a small rice-sized dosage out of horse ivermectin, but it is easy to overdose if not careful.
By the time you see the walking dandruff, your other rabbits probably have it at the beginning stages. The mites have a month lifespan if I remember correctly, and the eggs live in fur that has left the rabbit too, so a harsh, thorough cleaning of the cage is needed once you does the rabbit. Even if the meds work, the mites can come back if they are not killed off.

The mites probably were brought in through the hay, as rabbits can live in stacks of hay depending on where you live, and get your hay. Good news though, most species of fur mite that effect rabbits are species specific, so most won't transfer to you.