Learn from my mistake.

[Devon's Mom Lauren]

I've used ivermectin at a rate of .3cc per kg or a little less than .15 per pound without the rabbits acting any different. Including the mini rex. They don't even show signs of discomfort. I have heard though of several cases where someone lost a whole bunch of rabbits after using ivermectin but usually people don't treat until they see an obvious infestation so it was always assumed by those using ivermectin successfully that the parasite load in those rabbits was too high and the mass death of worms caused the complications which killed them.

In this case that was NOT the case. So to be safe, you should let those know who assumed this to revise their thinking . These 4 animals were in prime condition and were winning on the show tables. I would also refer you back to the symptoms list at the beginning of the thread where there are mentions of less noticeable symptoms that perhaps may have been missed by some. Especially if one was dealing with shy type rabbits or ones who sat at the back of their cage a lot anyways.

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

oh-- something else-- folks,, there is ivermectin out on the market that has a second drug in it-- DO NOT USE IT--as THAT drug is Super toxic to rabbits--I believe it is marketed for cattle and pigs Not sure if this combo was mentioned here or on HT-- the mention was more than a year ago...

 

[Devon's Mom Lauren]

Terry we used the brand "Noromectin" for swine and cattle. The only ingredient that is medically active is the ivermection. There is no second drug mentioned either on the box or insert or on the bottle. Perhaps it was an inert ingredient?

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

No- not inert-- I recall putting a bottle back on the shelf at TSCafter seeing the second ingredient-- it is bold lettered, ust as ivermectin is, on the label.

I dislike using any drug that is combined with another--I don;t care if it is prescribed or OTC--

 

[Devon's Mom Lauren]

Was it the Pour On kind? I think that may have a second ingredient. There seems to be injectable, pour on and the paste.

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

injectable I make it s rule to read all labels before buying medications. I look for concentration, other ingredients, and storage information. Many people are unaware that ivermectin must be stored in the dark, or it breaks down. Those bottles are clear, because most people who buy them, are treating several large animals all at the same time-- it is expected the contents will be used up within an hour or two of taking it out of the box!

 

[Honorine]

Very sorry to hear about your loss Devon, very sorry indeed. I'm one of the folks that always advocates Ivermectin for treatment of ear mites, and I have never had a rabbit have a reaction. I have used it on Mini Rex, Flemish, Florida Whites, Satin Angora, can't remember what other breeds right now. I do use it sparingly, as I have Shelties, who also can have the MDR1 mutant gene. MDR1 is actually a gene that somehow controls the blood brain barrier, and yes it is widespread in herding breeds, or any breed with a herding breed crossed in. There's clears, who do not have the gene, then dogs that carry one copy of the gene , and then dogs who carry two copies of the gene. A dog with one copy normally does not get as sick as one with two copies of the gene. A dog with copies of the gene often dies if dosed with Ivermectin. And its not just Ivermectin these dogs are sensitive to, even Frontline can send an MDR1 dog into seizures, and a number of other drugs as well. I haven't used Ivermectin since beginning to feed my dogs raw rabbit, just in case. There is a DNA test for MDR1 now. I'm truly sorry if my advocating use of Ivermectin led you to use it on your herd. Thanks for sharing with all of us.

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/drugs.aspx

 

[sccountryboy29842]

wow really sorry for your loss im new to rabbits but use ivomec on my dogs but the dose for them is 1/10 cc for every ten pounds so givein a rabbit 8/10 of a cc seems like alot to me but i dont know the dose for rabbits but thank you for shareing this with others like me i think i will just stay clear of it when it comes to rabbits

 

[Bramble Hedge]

How devastating Devon, my condolences and thanks for sharing.

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

Oh no, I am so sorry for what happened! That is terrible, you have my sympathies. Maybe they should come with a warning not to use on irish-patterned animals?

 

[ladysown]

wow really sorry for your loss im new to rabbits but use ivomec on my dogs but the dose for them is 1/10 cc for every ten pounds so givein a rabbit 8/10 of a cc seems like alot to m

I just want to correct this statement...

the dosage is not 8/10.... but .08 which is significantly smaller...

 

[Devon's Mom Lauren]

There is no way the makers of ivermectine are going to admit this... in dogs there is a genetic test for the mutant gene that allows the meds to cross the blood-brain barrier and thats not a huge thing, people can test and if the dog is normal go on with the treatment. HOWEVER in livestock this is not so... and they stand to lose a LOT of market share if people generally knew about it beforehand! There is also the fact that farmers etc. WON't question a death or two as being caused by the drug, so it remains under the radar! MONEY MONEY MONEY! When we went back to the feed store and told them what happened they didn't seem too pleased with our story either..in fact they kept insisting it was just collies that were affected and nothing else.. we had hoped maybe they would warn other rabbit breeders but i know this is not going to happen through them!