I mite have a problem!

[Graceful Meadows]

Hi! Wow, I should probably post more, instead of just when I have a problem . Anyway, ahem, I have a problem. I think that my rabbits have fur mites and I am not sure what to do. I've done some research and the symptoms match (two bunnies have bald spots and several have dandruff with slight lacerations), but I think that I have also found a good treatment: diatomatious (I think that is right) earth. I found how to apply it on homesteading today and it sounds fairly simple, just covering the rabbit's eyes and nose and then rubbing in the powder. I was wondering if anyone has tried this treatment, if anyone has had rabbits with fur mites, or if anyone has any suggestions for me. Also, I was really, really hoping to go to a rabbit show in two weeks. Will I not be able to go? verreaction:
Thanks!

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I was wondering if anyone has tried this treatment, if anyone has had rabbits with fur mites

Yes, and yes. Just make sure it is food grade, not the type used for pool filters. The pool filter type has been heat treated and is poisonous.

I was really, really hoping to go to a rabbit show in two weeks. Will I not be able to go?

In my experience, one application is all that is needed to solve the problem, and the fur will begin regrowing within a week. They may not do well on fur quality, but I doubt you'll get DQ'd for having a rabbit with mites.

 

[akane]

DE is worth a try and non toxic. If it doesn't fully work ivermectin will kill fur mite.

 

[Graceful Meadows]

Thanks!
I was wondering if I would need to do any deep cleaning or anything so it won't come back. After the first treatment have they ever come back for you?

 

[akane]

I've never had mites on rabbits. We treated all new guinea pigs with ivermectin because they are so common in pet trade guinea pigs. No one is entirely sure why fur mites happen sometimes. They often pop up without exposure to other infected animals. Some say they come on bedding or hay but that's not been proven and they shouldn't be able to survive long off an animal. Some say mites are always present and stress can cause the animal to have an outbreak. Those with animals outside blame wildlife but often mites are species specific. :shrug: It does seem that healthier animals are less likely to get sick but not immune even from these seemingly isolated outbreaks.

If you are relying on DE I would wipe down or spray everything clean, dry, and then apply DE everywhere. DE can only kill what it touches. Just don't get too much in the air.

I'm not sure how well showing a DE dusted rabbit would go.

 

[mystang89]

DE dusted rabbit

= a "dust bunny" :lol: LOL ....no? Just me laughing huh....ah well, on laughing I go :lol:

 

[MamaSheepdog]

After the first treatment have they ever come back for you?

The first case of fur mites I had was discovered (by a judge at a show! :x ) on a Beveren that I had purchased a couple of weeks prior. The other time was a rabbit (or maybe a couple of rabbits?) that had been shown recently. I think that is the sum total of experience I have with them, but no, after the initial treatment they didn't come back.

However... I think I caught it early enough in those cases that the population was still fairly small and easily eradicated. I also use all wire cages, so there isn't really anywhere for the mites to hide.

If it was sweeping through your rabbitry, I would definitely dust any wooden area (especially in cracks) and dust the ground. I use DE routinely below my cages anyway to help control odor and pests, so that may be part of the reason I haven't had a severe outbreak.

I'm not sure how well showing a DE dusted rabbit would go.

Good point. You only need a very small amount- less than half a teaspoon- don't overdo it, or your rabbit will be a hopping powder puff. In the days prior to the show you may want to run a damp cloth over the rabbit to remove any leftover powder.

 

[Jessykah]

I just went through the same thing...The mites showed up out of nowhere. I treated with DE...then I treated 2 more times a few days apart to get any new hatchlings...hair all grew back and it seems to be gone...but since my mother gave me some free ivermectin and I got some free insulin needles, I think I will treat everyone anyway, in case I missed some, since I only treated the rabbits with mites. I don't want to take chance that some may have survived and may get to my new show rabbits.
I would not bring any infected rabbits to the show if I were you. It takes a while for the fur to be in good condition again, and unhealthy rabbits get DQ'd. Even if you don't see mites, there may be some present...I just showed some rabbits, but they are housed separately from my other rabbits and were never affected. If they had been, I wouldn't have brought them. If you are confident that a rabbit has not come into contact with the mites, then show it. You can also treat with ivermectin now as a preventative.

 

[Zass]

I only saw what looked like mite symptoms once, on only one rabbit. I dusted everyone.

The fur grew back. Never saw any mite symptoms again.

It's been over a year, at least.