fur mites *sigh*

[FourRingCircus]

One thing after another, I tell ya! :evil:

My one and only buck has fur mites. I noticed a spot thinning a bit but didn't think a huge amount of it since it was getting hotter - figured maybe he was shedding, like a dog or cat (totally new to this, obviously). A week or so later his coat was looking a bit... shaggy. And now he's scratching, and I can see the "dandruff" on him as he loses more and more hair :wall:

I tried searching a bit but was getting hits mostly for ear mites... best plan of action?

 

[Dood]

At this stage you should likely give a shot of ivermectin :shrug:

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I have only had a couple of cases of fur mites here and treated them with food grade Diatomaceous Earth.

You only need about teaspoon at most- simply apply a bit to the areas with fur loss and a bit of the surrounding area. Fur began to regrow in just days when I treated mine, and one application was all that was needed.

 

[FourRingCircus]

I was wondering about DE - I have some one hand that I dust my chickens/coop with occasionally (food grade). I will pat/rub him down tomorrow and see if that gets me anywhere. I would like to avoid more powerful meds if at all possible. I'm impressed that it only took one application! Even if it takes more than that, at least it's possible that it won't be a huge long drawn out process...

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I'm impressed that it only took one application! Even if it takes more than that, at least it's possible that it won't be a huge long drawn out process...

I don't know if it was because I caught the mites so early or the fact that the powder stays in the fur for a long enough period, but the few times I have used it that is all it took to clear up the problem.

My cages are all wire so the mites have nowhere to hide- if you have any wood involved with your cages/hutches, make sure to apply the powder to the wood joints just in case.

 

[Zass]

I use DE for mites too, and have had total success with it. I'm always careful to dust them outside the rabbitry and to cover their face in order to keep them from inhaling a lot.

I was thinking Dood might have suggested the stronger med due to how many problems your rabbits seem to be having all at once.

Sort of like, just cleaning them out of most parasites now might help save you from having to try to diagnose and treat each complaint separately.

From:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... 7229,d.cGU

 

[FourRingCircus]

I understand that line of thinking with all the issues I've had lately (and it's not like I have had rabbits that long! I'm learning what NOT to get as I go - trial and lots of error unfortunately. Grumpy warned me about the overweight does, I just underestimated the vast amount of issues it could cause... my fault there. I thought it was strictly a potential problem for breeding... I never thought about there being a problem with them being able to keep themselves clean!!). Hopefully once things settle down it will be smooth sailing for a while (no more rabbits in, I can work with what I have), although summer weather is making me nervous - lots of low to mid 90's in the 10 day forecast already, and we're just getting started in June - blech! Hopefully that one round of fly strike will be it. I just need to figure out a good maintenance routine for them - what to look for and do and all.

I did go ahead and dust him tonight. He's outside so the dust that was floating around dissipated pretty quick. Hopefully it will be OK? I stuck my hand in the bag a few times and rubbed him down. He's the most attention seeking rabbit I have so I think he actually enjoyed the process.

 

[Zass]

You might want to dust the rest too, just in case.

 

[katiebear]

You might want to dust the rest too, just in case.

:yeahthat: If your buns are in hutches the wood is a great hiding place...I have wood frame hutch/cages and am still battling ear mites ..treat everyone and all the wood joints and corners...I am pretty sure my mite issue is from the poor storage practices of the local feed store.all hay is stored outside uncovered and is the playground of cats,mice,pack rats, ect....I must find a good source for hay... Good luck with your critters critter issue...

 

[FourRingCircus]

You might want to dust the rest too, just in case.

:yeahthat: If your buns are in hutches the wood is a great hiding place...I have wood frame hutch/cages and am still battling ear mites ..treat everyone and all the wood joints and corners...I am pretty sure my mite issue is from the poor storage practices of the local feed store.all hay is stored outside uncovered and is the playground of cats,mice,pack rats, ect....I must find a good source for hay... Good luck with your critters critter issue...

I did dust the surrounding wood as well... hopefully it was enough! I guess we'll see as time passes *fingers crossed*

 

[Homer]

I did dust the surrounding wood as well... hopefully it was enough! I guess we'll see as time passes *fingers crossed*

Suggest you do it again in ~10 days. That will get the ones that hatch after the first treatment. Buns and hutches. :mrgreen:

 

[FourRingCircus]

Sadly, the DE doesn't seem to be doing much It is an older bag, does it go bad, or lose it's potency? I have been dusting the others as well, just in case.

I guess I will be heading to TSC for some Ivermectin... I assume the dosaging is on the package? <br /><br /> -- Tue Jun 23, 2015 11:05 am -- <br /><br /> Oh boy... there are a LOT of options... which do I need?

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs ... ivermectin

 

[Homer]

Get injectable Ivermectin for cattle. .08 cc per pound of rabbit. Squirt it in their mouth, DO NOT give them a shot. Repeat in 10 days to be sure.

 

[FourRingCircus]

Get injectable Ivermectin for cattle. .08 cc per pound of rabbit. Squirt it in their mouth, DO NOT give them a shot. Repeat in 10 days to be sure.

This one?
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/i ... ttle-50-ml

At least he's one of the friendlier rabbits, although I can see this being an interesting process nonetheless :shock:

 

[ohiogoatgirl]

there is oral apple flavored in a tube for horses. I used it when I had some earmites going on. pea sized glob stuck into a strawberry was gobbled down by each. I think the usual is to repeat in 2wks?

 

[Homer]

Get injectable Ivermectin for cattle. .08 cc per pound of rabbit. Squirt it in their mouth, DO NOT give them a shot. Repeat in 10 days to be sure.

I misspoke earlier. It's sold as "injectable Ivermectin for cattle and swine". (The only thing in it is ivermectin)

There are several versions but they have something else in it and you have to be careful. I don't know what the "Plus" is and would be careful. (looks like the wrong stuff to me)

 

[Miss M]

Sadly, the DE doesn't seem to be doing much It is an older bag, does it go bad, or lose it's potency? I have been dusting the others as well, just in case.

DE does not lose its effectiveness. It's ground microscopic fossil shells, and what is effective about it is that it is razor sharp -- at the microscopic level. It scratches the protective coating of the mite, which then dries out and dies.

 

[FourRingCircus]

Sadly, the DE doesn't seem to be doing much It is an older bag, does it go bad, or lose it's potency? I have been dusting the others as well, just in case.

DE does not lose its effectiveness. It's ground microscopic fossil shells, and what is effective about it is that it is razor sharp -- at the microscopic level. It scratches the protective coating of the mite, which then dries out and dies.

I was thinking that was the case, but just checking to make sure...

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Can you post pictures? Since the DE didn't help, I suspect that there is something else going on.

 

[FourRingCircus]

Both of my card readers have gone kaput so I can't transfer pics. I did notice today that the skin at the back of his neck is really thick/stiff compared to what it should be. Not sure if that means anything? Maybe he just had them so bad by the time I realized it the DE couldn't get to all of them?