How To Get Rid Of Mites On Rabbit? In 8 Easy Ways

Are you wondering how to get rid of mites on rabbit? The majority of mites are very little that it is difficult, if not impossible, to see them with your naked eye.

Once your pet becomes infected, these minute critters may cause your bunny a life of misery.

The keratin layer of your pet’s skin is eaten by mites, with an excreted enzyme-inducing skin infection and inflammation.

Rabbits can be great animals that bring enjoyment and happiness to your life. It is necessary to keep them safe while you own rabbits so that they can provide you with this excitement for years to follow.

So what does that mean?

You need to keep them parasite-free, among other things.

Let’s check the signs and tips on how to get rid of mites on them.

But before everything else, let’s understand what mites are.

What Are Mites?

Mites are a pest that might affect the ears or skin of your rabbit.

They will cause the rabbit to scratch and become sick and cannot be seen by the naked eye.

Thus, it is necessary to keep an eye out for the signs of a mite infection and get rid of them using a mixture of at-home and veterinary approaches.

To decide what sort of mite is present, your veterinarian aspirates mites using a vacuum or takes a skin scraping.

Under a microscope, he studies scratching or aspiration.

After your veterinarian diagnoses the sort of mite infesting your rabbit, your pet can be handled with ivermectin or selamectin dewormers for rabbits, which both remove mites.

Depending on the mite in question, symptoms of mite infection will vary, although several signs may lead to mites as a potential issue:

Dandruff or flaky skin patches, excessive cleaning in every field, lack of hair, shaking the head, abnormal ear wax/dry build-up.

Ways Of Getting Rid Of Mites On Rabbits

There are various ways in which you can help your rabbits get rid of mites.

These are the following:

#1. Rabbit separation

Mites are very infectious and infect rabbits’ bodies and ears, so you need to move the sick rabbit away from other rabbits.

Please give it a cage of its own where it alone will heal from its infection.

Since treating for that kind of infection can take several weeks, make sure to put your infected rabbit somewhere for an extended period where it can be safely sheltered.

E.g., in an environment away from other rabbits, place the rabbit in an additional cage.

#2. Throw the old rabbit’s bedding

If the rabbit has a mite infection, its bedding will also be infested with mites that, after surgery, will then reinfect the rabbit.

Because of this, disposing of everything that the rabbit has come into contact with, including toys that may be tainted, is a smart idea.

Here’s what you should do:

Replace it with a different one if your rabbit lies on a cloth bed.

As much as your vet prescribes during care, clean the new mattress, spray it with a rabbit-safe pesticide, then dispose of it and replace it again after treatment is done.

#3. Vacuum the rabbit’s surroundings

If you have a rabbit that has received a mite infection in your household, you need to disinfect all the surfaces with which it usually comes into contact.

Vacuum and then use anti-parasitic dust on all porous surfaces.

These specks of dust usually are sprinkled on the floor and then vacuumed for a certain period, available at most major pet stores.

Warning!

Be sure the medication you are buying is appropriate for rabbits. On the kit, it should indicate this.

#4. Do not get scabs removed

For rabbits, the scabs produced by ear mites may be very painful and sensitive.

It is usually tough to extract them and does not help in the recovery of the infection.

#5. Place oil or petroleum jelly on the affected ears

It is possible to temporarily control the mites that infect a rabbit’s ears by suffocating them with petroleum jelly or oil, such as mineral oil or baby oil.

Coat the entire inside surface of the ear twice a day with oil or petroleum jelly, making sure it does not slip into the animal’s ear cavity.

#6. Be mindful not to hurt the eardrum of the rabbit

In small quantities, add the oil or jelly.

Apply enough to rub it on the bunny’s ear, but be careful not to bring it close to the eardrum since your pet can get harmed by this.

#7. Get veterinary therapy

Having skin mites treated by a veterinarian is more convenient and safe.

Your doctor will be able to monitor for the existence of mites in your animal and give you a particular diagnosis.

The veterinarian will then administer a drug that will be safe and appropriate for the animal’s specific illness if the rabbit tests positive for mites.

I have a bunny, Thumper; he was once diagnosed with mite infection.

The first thing that I did was search all over the internet and typed how to get rid of mites on rabbits at the search bar, and then I read, the first thing that needs to be done is to bring your lovely bunny to the veterinarian.

I brought him to a veterinarian; at first, he was too scared. The veterinarian made sure that he was calm before treating my bunny.

Thankfully Thumper recovered, and finally, he is now again jolly and healthy.

#8. Give the rabbit any anti-parasitic treatment

Your doctor will administer an antibiotic to remove the virus if your rabbit is afflicted with mites.

Your vet would recommend ivermectin, Revolution, selamectin dewormers, or Stronghold for your rabbit in most situations.

These are all healthy and common ways of medication use.

How To Identify Mite?

Cheyletiella is a type of mites that affects cats, dogs, and rabbits.

Usually, they infect dogs, cats, and rabbits, respectively. All three can cross over to other host species, but one is unique to a specific species.

Mites are sometimes referred to as static lice. These mites are tightly bound to the haunches, and the lice are actually eggs.

What Are Signs And Symptoms Of Mite Infestation in Rabbits?

The skin and inside of the ear are the most affected body parts of a rabbit by a mite infestation. The obsolete symptoms of which include sores on the neck, chronic dandruff, excessive scratching, and hair loss.

These symptoms make your bunny behave abnormally as they over-groom themselves and shake their heads excessively due to pain. A foul-smelling discharge from the ear is also a visible symptom of mite infestation.

Conclusion

Mites are seen everywhere, and rabbits, from other rabbits and other household pets such as dogs, can quickly pick up mites from the area.

Bedding can cause contamination, as well.

Although there is some seasonal variation, harvest mites are observed in the fall, mites are present during the year, and it is difficult to avoid exposure to mites entirely.

The only thing to do if you find your rabbit may have a mite infection is to go to the veterinarian. They will do a complete physical inspection and test the rabbit from nose to toe!

Your doctor will recommend a medication fit for your pet if there is a possibility that your rabbit will have mites, which could remove the mites.

Your vet can prescribe skin tests if there is any uncertainty. They will scan the mites themselves, which are mostly invisible to the human eye or barely visible. 

Thank you for reading and you can get some additional info on how to get rid of mites on rabbits from your veterinarian.