Possible fur mites and lopping ears French Angoras

[ckcs]

I have posted before about this and the generally consensus was that it was probably nothing to worry about. However the problem seems to be getting worse. My three French Angoras are around 7 weeks old and weigh right at 2lbs each. They are all broken. At about 4.5-5 weeks I noticed a balding area on the back of their necks, just below the ears. It was hardly noticeable at first. Now it has grown and is more noticeable in 2 of the rabbits. The third rabbit it is real noticeable and covers the area about the size of an egg. These are things I have noticed.

1. The hair around the bald spot doesn't pull out
2. No dark specks or eggs can be seen on the hair shafts. I have run a lice comb through there and found nothing.
3. The skin is a normal pink color, the rabbit with the largest area looks a little inflamed but I will explain that in a moment.
4. No flaking can be seen but on a small area of the skin I can see a white area but it isn't flaking at this point.
5. The hair is matting a bit in that area

Ok I have research fur mites extensively but get so many answers. Someone mentioned Olive Oil or Mineral Oil and apple cider vinegar. I tried mineral oil (baby oil actually) on the rabbit that had it the worse. I believe the light inflammation is a result of the oil. The spot is definitely bigger on that rabbit than the other 2. I put the oil on for 2 nights and put way too much on by accident last night. As a result the hair around that area is slick looking and this just makes it look worse. I have also added 1 teaspoon of cider to their 32 oz water bottle.

Here are the things I have been thinking about trying. I mentioned the minor matting of the fur in that area. Since the matting occurs nowhere else I suspect that the rabbits are grooming each other in that area and this may be the problem. My first plan is to separate them and see if it clears up. While I am waiting to see if that helps I was thinking about obtaining 2 other solutions that I've read work. Currently I am very broke and can only spend $10-$15

Solution 1 Diatomaceous Earth (food grade) Many have found success by dusting the rabbits (covering their face so they don't breathe it in initially. Also dusting the bedding and even putting some in their food. I can get this very cheap on ebay.

Solution 2 Ivermectin. The price on some forms (injections) aren't in the budget right now nor is a visit to the vet for revolution. The 1.87% paste for horses though is. I've read amounts of about the size of a grain of rice for a 5lb rabbit. I am thinking significantly smaller than that for a 2lb rabbit. Some have had good results with putting it on the skin in the neck shoulder blade area.

Lastly I noticed one of the ears drooping some, mainly with the buck. Is this anything to be concerned about. I am particularly concerned if it is an early sign of something. I hate to admit this but the breeder that I got them from had another rabbit a couple of cages away with head tilt. It was a very impulsive decision on my part getting these three rabbits. If things go downhill on me quickly, it will be one that I will regret.

 

[michaels4gardens]

I found a mystery spot on a rabbit once- that did not respond to mite med-- - and it turned out to be ring-worm

 

[BlueMoods]

If it's ringworm athletes foot cream will stop it. I've used it on rabbits with no problem. I'd try mite treatment first but, if that doesn't get results in a week, get the athlete's foot cream on the rabbits.

 

[michaels4gardens]

If it's ringworm athletes foot cream will stop it. I've used it on rabbits with no problem. I'd try mite treatment first but, if that doesn't get results in a week, get the athlete's foot cream on the rabbits.

the athletes foot cream is easy-- but-- tincture of Iodine works well also.-- as do barbery, or black walnut tincture.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Nu-Stock works well for both mites and ringworm. It is a sulfur based ointment available at feed stores.

I have used DE to treat suspected fur mites, and have only ever had to apply it once with new hair growth within days of application. I have never actually measured the amount, but I probably used less than a half teaspoon per rabbit. A little goes a long way. To apply, I just put a bit in the palm of my hand and stroked them from forehead to tail, concentrating a bit more on the area of hair loss.

 

[Miss M]

I used Nu-Stock on myself a few months ago, for a case of ringworm that 2 kinds of athlete's foot cream had helped, but were not curing. It nuked the ringworm. I think I applied it 3 times.

I think I'd expect to see some crustiness if it was ringworm. I'd tend more toward fur mites, I think, and try the DE. Nu-Stock can treat mites, but only in the area it's applied. The DE will work its way around the bodies of the bunnies, especially with them all together, and them climbing all over each other.

 

[ckcs]

I'm unsure if the problem is getting worse or better. I decided to look at the areas with a jewelers loop. On the 2 rabbits that were less affected I could see some very minor flaking. I couldn't see anything moving and nothing that looks like fecal matter. On the rabbit that was most affected and that I put oil, the inflammation has subsided greatly but the flaking is way worse than the other 2. Flaking on that rabbit could be easily seen with the naked eye.

Hopefully I can get the DE this weekend from Tractor Supply.

 

[skysthelimit]

I've used Apple cider vinegar to cure the ringworm, aka wet dewlap. It's the same fungus.

I see this all the time in the JW and Angoras, but only kits and jrs. There is a lot of friction between the wool and the skin behind the ear. That's the first place to matt, and it's the only spot that matts on the adult FA's. They are thin growing up, molt there first, matter there first. It's a nice warm spot, and a breeding ground for a fungus. I really have to be careful to keep it combed and dry.

 

[ckcs]

I've used Apple cider vinegar to cure the ringworm, aka wet dewlap. It's the same fungus.

I see this all the time in the JW and Angoras, but only kits and jrs. There is a lot of friction between the wool and the skin behind the ear. That's the first place to matt, and it's the only spot that matts on the adult FA's. They are thin growing up, molt there first, matter there first. It's a nice warm spot, and a breeding ground for a fungus. I really have to be careful to keep it combed and dry.

They are definitely warm in that area. I treated them all with DE about 2 days ago and have been continuing the Apple Cider Vinegar. I can't tell for sure if the fur is growing back in that area. It sort of looks fuzzy but my eyesight is not the best. I'm going to pull out the jewelers loop tomorrow and check again. The rabbits are sure growing. They have quadrupled in weight since I got them. I have never seen an angora rabbit in person before. The fur really makes them look big. I get a kick out of their feet too, very furry and padded. It has been a blast having the trio.

-- Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:37 am --

The problem with the bald spot is driving me nuts. I've treated them all with DE and the spot is still there on all three. To make matters worse 2 of my Lionheads have developed a similar spot. It makes no sense at all to me. Sadly I did not quarantine the French Angoras due to space. The room they are in houses 5 other rabbits. Only 1 of those 5 have a bald spot. The affected rabbits cage is a couple of feet away and I almost never take the rabbit out of the cage. The other affected rabbit is in another part of the house and that rabbit has had no contact with me or the French Angoras cage. Incidentally the other 2 rabbits are brother and sister.

I'm not super worried at other than the bald spot now there is nothing wrong with the area. The rabbit are happy and playful. It doesn't appear to be itchy either. It is driving my wife nuts though. The thought of mites or fungus freaks her out. Each night I bring the 3 FA's out and let them play on a loveseat and run all over me. She refers to them as crusty rabbits. I don't take any other rabbits out on that loveseat. I also wash my hands and change my shirt after playing with the FA's.

skysthelimit, you mentioned you see this in jr and babies. Are you referring to bald spots on the back of neck ear area.