Bunny with repeated ear mite issue

[Kristen Spohn]

Hi My Mum has a rabbit that keeps having ear mite flair-ups. She has treated the rabbit with ear drops and by disinfecting his cage, food and water dishes ect.
However one he seems well, the mites come back. I thought that maybe she could sprinkle Food Grade DE in and around his cage? Is food grade DE safe to sprinkle around the cage? And does anyone have anymore suggestions on how she could rid the poor bunny of the mites? I told her that he might need a monthly maintenance medicine.
Any ideas or input would be appreciated
Thanks!!!

 

[AlleysChicks]

Does he have contact with cats or other rabbits?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Is the bunny floppy eared? They're tend to be afflicted, like floppy eared dogs .... They need weekly checks & monthly cleaning/drops. I've raised Mini Lops did weekly checks & monthly cleaning. Your Mom should call a Vet, maybe able to prescribe meds to kill, then keep up with the cleaning/maintenance.

DH brought home some rabbits a "friend" didn't want, their ears were upright but crusted with ear mites Cleaned & treated but they were also quarantined from my stock in an enclosed room. Don't know how they get them but it's painful.

 

[balloonflower]

I would not use DE and risk the bunny inhaling it. I would also not plan a monthly treatment. But treating the mites has options. First, Ivermectin will clear them up if you want to medicate. The cleaning is good, but sometimes they will show up in hay or however. Keep an eye out for them--any type of rabbit can get them.

Personally, I raise meat rabbits and choose to treat ear mites with mineral oil. But it is a continuous process that must be kept up to ensure that all mites are smothered before laying eggs.

 

[junebuggena]

Just treat as needed. Some rabbits are just really prone to them. It could be coming from the hay.

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x junebuggena & balloonflower

 

[Tale of Tails Rabbitry]

I have raised meat rabbits for seven years. I only had one rabbit that got ear mites and he got them twice. No other rabbit in neighboring cages nor my cats that played with him through the cages wires got them. I was told that some rabbits are just more susceptible, but if he had gotten them a third time, I would have culled him. I ended up culling him for teeth issues later on instead.