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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Think my rabbit might have fur mites? Advice please

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    • motherofdragons
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        I noticed my rabbit has been scratching a lot lately and I’ve noticed a little dry flaky part of skin on her back. She’s a white bun so I was using a very bright light and looking through her fur yesterday and I swear I can see little teeny (I’m talking tip of a pin size) black dots and I’m sure I could see them moving but whatever it is it’s barely visible because they’re so tiny, I’m freaking out now. Does anyone have any idea if it’s fur mites?

        She’s an indoor bun and I also have an indoor cat as well (no doubt they have passed whatever it is on to one another )

        I messaged the vet and I have a free consultation but any medication I might/will need will cost and I have no clue how much, I don’t know if I’ll be able to afford it (if anyone has been in this situation can you let me know roughly how much your medication was, I’m in the UK btw) Should I just get a spot on treatment (She’s on panacur just now to prevent other stuff, can a spot on be given when she’s on this?)

        I’m just feel so guilty, any advice or your own experience would be greatly appreciated right now x  


      • Bam
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          For starters, I’m just issuing this really important warning: Never use any form of treatment containing fipronil on a bunny. It’s sold under several names, f ex Frontline. Fipronil is deadly toxic to rabbits. It’s common for treatment of mites and other external parasites on cats, but must not be used on rabbits.

          Here’s an article about mites, with pictures.http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Parasitic/furmite/fur_mite.htm

          The article recommends treatment with ivermectin injections. Another very safe treatment is Stronghold (selamectin). It’s a spot on treatment. You’ll need a prescription from a vet for Stronghold for kittens. With a prescription it can be ordered online from VetUK or other online pet pharmacy. 

          Imidaclopride (another spot on) is ineffective against mites, so don’t get that. 


        • motherofdragons
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            Posted By bam on 4/10/2017 4:34 AM

            For starters, I’m just issuing this really important warning: Never use any form of treatment containing fipronil on a bunny. It’s sold under several names, f ex Frontline. Fipronil is deadly toxic to rabbits. It’s common for treatment of mites and other external parasites on cats, but must not be used on rabbits.

            Yeah I would never use a spot on that was unsuitable for rabbits and would always research before even using a rabbit approved one, I’ve seen one called Beaphar Anti-Parasite spot on for rabbits and guinea pigs


          • Bam
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              We always issue this warning when someone mentions external parasites, just as a precaution. There have sadly been terrible incidents.

              You can absolutely use the Beaphar spot on, it has ivermectin. I don’t know if it has high enough amounts of active substance to be really effective, but as a first measure you can try it.


            • motherofdragons
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                Posted By bam on 4/10/2017 5:06 AM

                We always issue this warning when someone mentions external parasites, just as a precaution. There have sadly been terrible incidents.

                You can absolutely use the Beaphar spot on, it has ivermectin. I don’t know if it has high enough amounts of active substance to be really effective, but as a first measure you can try it.

                Yeah that makes sense, that’s terrible  Yeah I’ll consider the Beaphar, I’m probably better waiting until she finishes the Panacur, I’m not too sure


              • Bam
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                  You can treat with ivermectin at the same time as Panacur. There is a formulation of Panacur that contains ivermectin (Panacur Plus) as well as fenbendazole. It doesn’t seem to be available in the UK though.

                  Don’t use ivermectin if your bunny is a dutch pattern bunny, I found a warning regarding that. Medirabbit doesn’t have this warning though, so I don’t know how accurate it is. http://www.medirabbit.com/Safe_medication/Anti_parasitics/Ivermec.


                • Jessica
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                    My bun had fur mites and my vet put her on Revolution, it’s a once a month spot on treatment and I’m not sure if it’s available in the U.K. We also dosed my dog at the same time since they sit together. All my animals will be on Revolution from now through about November since it’s also a flea preventive and all though the buns stay inside my dog will go in and out


                  • motherofdragons
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                      Took her to the vet today and the vet took a bit of tape and took a sample of her dry flaky back. I can’t remember exactly what the vet said they were called but I think she mentioned bird mites, she said because my bunny is indoors she could have got them from the hay. She is now on a spot on treatment from the vet. Fingers crossed this gets sorted!


                    • Bam
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                        Fingers crossed!

                        Jessica, Revolution is available in Europe under the trade name Stronghold.


                      • motherofdragons
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                          Does anyone have any tips on how to deep clean to make sure I get rid of any mites or eggs in the room the rabbit is mainly in? Any special cleaner that can 100% kill them? I’ll put all the fleece, bedding etc through the highest temperature wash cycle, what about my mattress, can that get infested? I’m just paranoid I won’t be able to kill them and she’ll get them again after the treatment


                        • Bam
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                            All I know is that you shouldn’t steam clean. It makes the environment moist, and eggs and mites that haven’t been directly hit by the steam might just like it even better.

                            Diatomaceous earth can be used along floorboards, thresholds and suchlike, and on carpets. Vacuum carpets after 48 hours. Don’t let the bun breathe in or ingest the diatomaceous earth, it’s non toxic but it can affect airways and tummy mechanically.

                            Repeat treatment with Stronghold should be given after 2-4 weeks to kill off mites that were in a developmental stage that the first round of treatment couldn’t kill.

                            Obviously throw out the batch of suspicious hay. Bird mites can also come in through vents and open windows, if there are nearby bird nests like f ex a pigeon colony. If a cat brings a dead bird inside it’s another potential source of infestation.


                          • motherofdragons
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                              Thanks for the tips! Yeah I’ll deffs throw out the hay, need to wait until I get more tomorrow though. And yeah it was stronghold she used so I’ll be back in 2 weeks for another treatment 

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                          Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Think my rabbit might have fur mites? Advice please