Just my luck......

Rustina · Nov 3, 2012

So, out of nowhere Sweetpea has ear mites. :x
How did this happen? No one else has them !! Grrrrr :evil:

So I cleaned the junk outta her ear, and oiled both of them, I am going to the store in the morning for Ivermectin and DE.
I plan to use the DE on my hutches, since they are made of wood snd the nasty lil mites can live there. :angry:

My question is what is the best way to apply the DE to my cages? I will of couse take the buns out for the application so they don't breathe the dust. How long after application should I give the dust to "settle" b4 puttin the buns back ( don't have xtra cages to move them to )

Also since all her children have been exposed to her I want to be preventitive to them as they still have 6 more weeks b4 either attending freezer camp or off to new homes. Can I just give a smaller dose to them, no one is nurseing anymore.

Thanks !!! :?

mystang89 · Nov 4, 2012

When you say DE are you talking about Diatomatious Earth? If so I just take it and put it in a sock and shake the sock around in the cage. Oh and if you are talking about Diatomatious Earth make sure its food grade. Don't use the other.

MamaSheepdog · Nov 4, 2012

Ear mites can be treated with any oil because it coats and smothers the mites. Most mite medicines which contain a poison use oil as a vector, and the oil likely has as much efficacy as the poison, so I prefer to treat with plain oil. Mineral oil can be used although I personally prefer vegetable oil, olive oil, etc. Other products that are effective in treating mites are Nu-Stock (available at feed stores), which is a sulfur and oil based paste, Campho-Phenique, or even rubbing alcohol.

I always clean the ears prior to treatment to ensure that the product used can coat all surfaces of the ear, although many people do not as they feel that it causes unnecessary discomfort and feel that the oil loosens the debris and it is expelled by the rabbit shaking its head. A 1 to 1 dilution of white vinegar and water is useful in breaking up the crusty debris in the ear, although the acidity may be painful for ears that are red and inflamed. I prefer to use hydrogen peroxide on inflamed ears. Fill the ear canal with the warmed solution, pinch the base of the ear closed, and agitate the ear. You will hear a sloshing sound. Be prepared for the rabbit to shake its head when the ear(s) are released.

Mite eggs hatch in 4 days. Within 7-14 days, they become adults and are able to lay eggs. Adult mites live for about 21 days. Treatment every other day over the course of 7-10 days should eradicate the problem.

Rustina · Nov 4, 2012

Thanks guys!!!

MSD I also prefer to clean out the icky stuff inside the ear, just makes sense that it will make treatment more effective, I also use peroxide, however I do a 50% to 50% dilution with water.

I used Olive oil on her last night, I think I will give all the kids a good case of oily ears too , just to make sure no one is in there.

Mary Ann's Rabbitry · Nov 4, 2012

Rustina":mliyj778 said:
o, out of nowhere Sweetpea has ear mites. How did this happen? No one else has them !! Grrrrr

If just brought in some hay or straw from another barn. They can come from that.

Miss M · Nov 4, 2012

MamaSheepdog":39clgvzn said:
many people do not as they feel that it causes unnecessary discomfort and feel that the oil loosens the debris and it is expelled by the rabbit shaking its head.

This is what I do. I cleaned a little crust out once, not even close to the way down deep stuff. The ear started bleeding. So I didn't do that again, and the debris did get shaken out by the rabbit.

Rustina · Nov 4, 2012

Thanks MaryAnn I didnt think of hay, Brought a couple bails up from the big barn, but it is still all hay from the same place, even the same field....but I guess the mites could have been hiding in one spot maybe...lol