is this mites or fungus infection

Question
Hello, we brought a pet dwarf rabbit about a month ago from a pet shop. After about a week we noticed her paws were irritating her and she kept shaking them and nibbling at them. They became red but have now lost their fur and are swollen with dry scabby skin but the redness has gone. Her nose is also the same and we think her bottom is also. Her ears do not bother her its just her feet, which seem to have too have developed a skin thickening. She also smells slightly of yeast. She has been to the vets 3 times now, firstly prescribed an ear mite cream to be rubbed into her paws(she hated that) then a canasten cream (also hated us touching her paws) now she has had 2 ivermectin injs which don't seem to have done anything. We also have to wash her paws in an anti fungal shampoo which she also hates. We are in oman and there are definitely no rabbit friendly vets here, its heartbreaking watching her suffer as she is such a sweet natured rabbit. have you any idea what she may have so i can visit the vet again and tell them what she needs!  many thanks

Answer
Dear Ruth,

Though I can't know for sure without a picture, this sounds like mange, caused by parasitic mites.  Please see:

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/furloss.html

and find an experienced rabbit vet here:

http://www.rabbit.org/vets

in the International Vets link, if possible.  Ivermectin should help, but it would be better to use Stronghold/Revolution (selamectin) if you can get it.  It has longer-term action.

If you can send a clear picture, I'll be better able to help.  You can send it to dana@miami.edu

Dana