Rabbits are prone to infections caused by a small oval-shaped mite, called "Psoroptes cuniculi", which has a predilection for the ears. Rabbits can become infected when they come into contact with eggs through hay, straw or sawdust. Although this parasite prefers to live in the ear, an untreated infection is likely to spread to other parts of the body, such as the legs, head, neck, abdomen, or the perianal area. Find out how to treat ear mange so you can preserve your rabbit's health.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Treating Rabbit Ear Mange
Step 1. Clean everything the rabbit has touched
These parasites are very contagious. Therefore, everything your furry friend comes into contact with must be cleaned and disinfected, in case it may harbor mites or eggs.
- Throw away all the material used for the litter and change it every day to completely eliminate the mites.
- Scrub and disinfect the rabbit hutch and accessories. Make sure you clean these spaces frequently while your rabbit is under treatment.
- Ear mange is highly contagious among these animals and can spread by direct contact. Therefore, you should also look after all other rabbits.
Step 2. Let the scabs heal on their own
In severe cases of infestation, the skin flakes off and produces abundant secretions. Do not try to remove the scabs that form; if you try to remove them, the skin could break or cause pain and bleeding. They will fall off within 1-2 weeks once the infection is treated.
When this process begins, try to soften the hardest scabs by adding a few drops of mineral oil to the ear
Step 3. Give your rabbit a drug that kills the mites
Antihelminthic drugs (to which ivermectin belongs) are effective against these parasites, although they do not kill the eggs. So it is necessary to carry out several cycles of treatment in order to exterminate them when they hatch, but before they can lay more eggs. The life cycle of these unwanted guests lasts 3 weeks, so giving the drug 3 times 14 days apart will stop any infection.
- The medicine will be able to kill the mites as long as the rabbit does not become infected again in the environment in which it lives.
- Treatment options include ivermectin drops, to be applied to the skin area of the shoulders. The active principle is absorbed by the blood stream, through which it acts by killing the mites. It is necessary to administer 3 doses, each 14 days apart. It is important to weigh the rabbit and follow the dosage instructions carefully so as not to risk an overdose. Some countries offer Xenon therapy for rabbits, a drug considered the first choice for treating these parasitic infections, but other ivermectin products are also effective, as long as they have been tested on rabbits.
- Alternatively, the vet could administer 3 doses of ivermectin, 14 days apart, by injection or orally.
Step 4. Avoid over-the-counter medications
Don't treat your furry friend with over-the-counter medications. Rabbits are extremely sensitive to many insecticides, including those that belong to the class of pyrethroids or pyrethrins, the active ingredient contained in many products that eliminate mites.
In some cases, toxic reactions of a neurological nature (including loss of coordination), seizures, coma and death may occur
Step 5. Treat any secondary infections
If this parasitosis has triggered a secondary bacterial infection, your vet may advise you to fight it by prescribing a course of antibiotics, such as Baytril.
He may also instruct you to administer a non-steroidal pain reliever to relieve the discomfort as the mites die
Part 2 of 3: Recognizing the Symptoms of an Infection Caused by Ear Mange
Step 1. Notice if he scratches his ears
Since these parasites can cause severe irritation, one of the most frequent signs of infection is scratching your ears with your paw or rubbing them on the ground.
- He may even shake his head or hold his ear tilted to one side.
- The skin may become red or inflamed.
- The irritation caused by the feces and saliva of the mites triggers a severe itch, which causes the rabbit to scratch its ears until it is injured.
Step 2. Watch out for any secretions
More severe infections are characterized by scaling and greyish-yellow secretions that accumulate filling the ear canal. Because they stick to the skin, if you try to remove them, you risk hurting your bunny.
- Forced removal tends to lift the upper skin layer along with the encrusted secretion, leaving a large ulcer in its place.
- It is usually possible to identify flaking attached to the ear canal by carefully inspecting the ear in the early stages of the infection.
Step 3. See if he drops his ears
When these infections are not treated, the weight of the secretions and flaking can cause the rabbit to keep its ears lowered. There is a risk of developing secondary bacterial infections that involve skin micro-lesions with the spread of the infectious state within the middle and inner ear and the impairment of balance and the upright position of the head.
Part 3 of 3: Diagnosing Rabbit Ear Mange
Step 1. Take the rabbit to the vet
You should have it examined as soon as it shows any signs of an ear problem. This type of disorder can cause severe pain and indicate the presence of a serious infection.
You should report any symptoms you have noticed to the vet. Try to be as specific as possible and report all the strangest behaviors your furry friend has been engaging in
Step 2. You agree to take a sample
The vet will check the rabbit for any abnormalities. The best way to diagnose this parasitosis is to do an ear swab in order to take a sample of earwax.]
The sample will then be placed on a slide and examined under a microscope
Step 3. Have your ear checked with the otoscope
In severe cases it is not even necessary to carry out an ear swab. In fact, when the infestation is quite strong, the vet can see the shiny body of the mites through the otoscope.
