Advice for seemingly sick bun? :(

[Skaroy]

Hey, everyone! I’m new and out of resources…

My rabbit is about 7-8 years old, I’ve had him since I rescued him as a baby from a carnival, but recently, he has been tilting his head to one side. Not rotating it like those extreme tilting or permanent as other cases, just slightly leaning to his left side more when he’s laying down/resting. He also seems to have fur mites, with scratching himself often and having white dandruff like symptoms on his skin and so far, a small patch of fur had come off, so I’m looking into getting Ivermectin (horse paste) for him, but I just want to make sure I understand the situation. He doesn’t seem to be depressed or in serious pain, he’s still eating and drinking regularly, and still chases after me. But the mentioned symptoms are becoming more noticeable. I don’t have any vets nearby, much less vets specializing in rabbits (they are at least 4-8 hours away, I’m very much broke, and the bun is so so frightened just leaving his room), so I’m trying to best with what I can do. Can I please have some advice or insight? Thank you so much.

[Mikey]

A head tilt can be several things, some of which are life threatening. Youll need to head to an exotics vet as soon as possible, if you can afford it. Either way, because a head tilt can mean different things, there isnt too much anyone can offer as advice without a diagnosis.

As for his fur, are you sure its mites and not dry skin?

[sarahthegemini]

If you suspect he has head tilt then you need to take him to a vet ASAP. It isn’t negotiable.

[Skaroy]

I think it’s mites? It’s a buuuuuunch of white flakes concentrated in one area on his back and skin (and I think some scabs?) and he lost a bit of fur in that area about two days ago, too (but is not like balding or anything). But just in case, how can I tell the difference? I can’t seem to find too much information about dry skin and mites differences. Would it hurt if I treat him if he doesn’t have any? Thank you! If it helps, he’s an indoor bun, has almost never gone outside. 

As for vets, I’m really trying, but I have no money whatsoever, no one will ever agree to helping my bun, and the closest and only vet does $200 home visits but they’re not trained in rabbits (the last vet I hired years ago tried to pull on his ears to grab him, and I knew right away they knew nothing about them.) I’m still looking and hoping but the chances of getting help is feeling really bleak. 

[LBJ10]

Treating him for mites won’t cause any harm if it turns out he doesn’t have mites. Just as long as what you use is safe and the proper dosage.

[Mikey]

If the mite treatment doesnt work after the recommended about of time, it could be dry skin, in which case coconut oil or olive oil is safe to use on dry spots

Keep looking around for safe rabbit vets you can go to, and if you need money help consider looking into gofundme. You cant post the link here (I think?) but you can post it to other social media to help get word around that your bun needs help, and hopefully people will donate. Also call the vet that you decide on and see if they have any payment options. Some vets will do monthly payments where you pay a bit up front, and then pay the rest back at a set amount each month.

[Bam]

Fur mites are common in rabbits and they are fortunately not difficult to treat. The treatment won’t harm even if there are no mites, but by your description, it really does seem like mites. A vet can prescribe Revolution (selamectin), it’s bunny safe.

WARNING: Never use fipronil on a bunny. Fipronil is sold under many names f ex Frontline, Effipro, Sentry. It’s deadly toxic to rabbits.

[Author]

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