Treating Ear Mites in Rabbits

Rabbits kept outside are likely to come in contact with ear mites. Ear mites are not likely to be serious, but left untreated, they can lead to infection and deafness.

The ear mite is a parasite, known under the name of Psoroptes cuniculi. they are a member of the arachnid family, which includes spiders and scorpions! The average life span of an ear mite is 21 days.

If your rabbit has an ear mite infestation you are likely to notice a brown waxy build up inside one or both ears. Your rabbit will likely be scratching or shaking his head more then you have previously noticed. Over the next day or two the waxy build up will become scab-like or flaky in its appearance. your rabbit will also have several scratch marks in his ear.

Treatment for ear mites is fairly simple. There are several over the counter treatments that you can use, such as Rabbit RX or a cat ear mite treatment. You may also use any mineral based oil, such as baby oil or even vegetable oil. The oil will suffocate the mites and kill them.

For the oil treatment:

Warm the oil to a lukewarm temperature.
Use a dropper or small plastic syringe.
On day one, place 2-3 drops in ear and gently massage the base of the ear. You may also use a cotton ball to coat the inside of the ear.
Days 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10: repeat day one.
Treat again on days 14, 21 and 28. Mite eggs live for 21 days so be sure to follow through with this treatment.

With this treatment, your mite infestation should be depleted.

Do not remove the crust that may appear in your rabbit's ear. This will leave open, bloody skin that will easily become infected. It will also be exceptionally painful to your rabbit. The crust will come off when it becomes saturated and your rabbit shakes his head.

It would not be unwise to gently wash your rabbits ears on the odd days during treatment. This will help prevent infection and also help in the bonding process. Again, be careful not to stress your rabbit or to pull at any scabs.

Another treatment for ear mites is the medication called ivermectin. I do not reccomend such treatment without the supervision of a veterinarian.

If you use the cat treatment, follow the directions on the package. This goes against the manufacturer's suggested use, but the treatment is effective.

Prevention:

Try to keep dirt and dust at a minimum. Do not use straw as straw is a natural harborer of mites. Sanitize your hutches daily with a mild bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 3 parts water. This will not hurt your rabbit's feet, so there is no reason to remove your rabbit as you spray on the solution. If your hutch has wooden legs, consider coating them in paint.

It is also important to note how vital it is to quarantine any new or ill rabbits from the rest of your herd.. You do not want to infect any of the other rabbits in your home or rabbitry.

As always, when in doubt, see your vet!