Possible fur mites in newborn rabbits? [pics]

[riaa53]

Hi, longtime unregistered lurker here. I have finally decided to register because I’m in great need of information and advice. Keep in mind that I do intend on contacting my vet tomorrow but I am searching some fast comfort/answers. Here is the story, I rescued two rabbits a couple months ago and was told they were both girls. After a month or so, I noticed some mounting behavior which was unusual for them. Took my rabbit to the vet, was told she was really a boy and got him neutered the day after. Fast forward a month or so my beautiful bunny gave birth to 6 babies, one still born. The babies are now 5 days old today and as I was checking up on them I noticed some had what looks like flaky, dandruff. Upon further inspection, I noticed all of the babies had some on their body. It looks like cradle cap does on a human baby. I figured it was dry skin or something but after I turned to google, I got really anxious about the possibility of fur mites. I have never had a problem and currently don’t, with my parent buns having mites or fleas. I couldn’t find much information about if it is normal for new baby bunnies to have this dry skin so I am really hoping someone has information that will soothe me. This has made me beyond anxious and I am really worried. I have taken some pictures to give a better idea of what is going on. As you will be able
to see most of the flakyness is around the neck/ ear and also the groin area, with some on the back too. (One of the white babies also has some yellowing with the flakes, which you might be able to see. Ahhh please help. I’m so nervous for them

[Roberta]

Gather up Mum and the kits and head off to the vet for a check up… It sounds like mites but it is always a good idea to check just in case it is something more sinister (not sure what part of the world you are in). The vet can treat Mum bun for mites and parasites and what happens is the babies get treated when they feed from Mum. I went through this myself with a Summer oops litter. Mum and Dad got Revolution and the bubs got treated when they snuggled with Dad or had a feed with Mum.

[LBJ10]

It looks like your pictures didn’t get inserted into your post, which is actually okay since there are rules here regarding baby bunnies.

Here is the general rule about accidental litters:

Accidental Litters: We do not have the experience to advise you. We do not allow ongoing threads on the matter because the information then goes out to google search results, inviting more of the same. Only a couple of members have some experience with this, but we are unable to make sure the advice given is reliable; we are not a site or forum that has a wealth of experience in this matter and it would be better for your bunnies to find reliable resources for pregnant/nursing does and their babies. Please visit Resources and scroll to “Oops Surprise Litter”. Other forums like Rabbitsonline.net, that cater to a broader range of experience, may also be of help. (Your post may locked or deleted once resources are given.) And of course, be sure to seek vet care and advice. Do not use the forum to give or sell bunnies as well.

Do not post pictures of the litters unless you plan on keeping them.(or whichever one or so you plan to keep). Please refer to D-1 for rules about photos.

Please don’t think this is anything against you. You are most certainly welcome here, we just want to make sure you get the help you need. There are a couple of members with experience with baby buns here, but I don’t know if they experienced anything like this.

I did go in and look at your attachments. I can see that there is definitely a “scale” there and it looks irritated. It could very well be a parasite of some sort. I don’t know if it’s necessarily fur mites. My guess is that it isn’t normal though. If someone has experience with this, I can let them see the pictures. I definitely think seeking advice from a vet is ultimately the way to go here. They would know what would be safe to use since they are babies and you can’t always use the same treatments.

[LBJ10]

Oh wonderful, Roberta, you beat me to this. LOL

I can send you one of the pictures and you can see if it looks similar.

[Roberta]

Thanks LBJ, It will give me a better idea.

[LBJ10]

I sent it, hopefully it shows up okay for you.

[Roberta]

It certainly looks like mites. An infestation like that really does need to be looked at by a vet and both parents treated.

[Roberta]

I think in this instance it would be OK to leave the photo you sent me up as it doesn’t show the whole litter just two little rear ends and one of the others may have seen this before, I know it has been done in the past for similar forum queries..

[riaa53]

Thank you all for your responses. I really do appreciate it. Even though it wasn’t the “oh it is totally normal” I was desperately hoping for, I am relieved to have some information. I will be able to sleep a bit better tonight knowing what it is/could be. I will have to make an appointment for the vet for sure in the morning. Once again, thank you. This has really soothed my nerves and I am very appreciative.

[BinkyBunny]

No need to post photos at this point. You’ve gotten some good info and since you will be seeing the vet soon, then that will provide you with the care you need. . Let us know what the vet says.

[Beka27]

Wow… I have to say that i honestly did not know that newborn baby bunnies could exhibit mites so soon after birth! That is very interesting! Learn something new everyday!

Let us know what your vet says please!

[riaa53]

Just an update. I took mom and babies to the vet, I was told mother would be the carrier if mites were the case. I didt notice her itching or anything out of the ordinary. And when they did some testing on the dandruff and no mites were found. The vet didnt know what it was but said it was probably just a cradle cap for rabbits. The day I took them to the vet, the dandruff seemed better (might be because their fur was growing in more) but I was still unsure. So if anyone comes across this problem I would just say if your rabbit has dandruff looking stuff in their fur and they aren’t itching or seem uncomfortable, wait a couple days and it might go away with grooming. I’m just glad they are okay. Thanks again for everyones input.

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