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tiny little bugs

22 9:48:52

Question
I have rabbits in cages and they or itching and scratching a lot.
I look for flees and don't see flees, there are these tiny little
bugs on them and I was wanting to know what to use to get rid of
these bugs.

Answer
Hi Ronnie

Unfortunately its that time of year. Fleas and mites... Sometimes even ticks.

Personally, I recommend using advantage or revolution from the vets office. Don't use Frontline. It has been associated with many rabbit deaths. You can call around to vets offices and many will let you bring the animal in for a weight and then sell the product over the counter. It may be 10-20.00 but it is so worth it. I have tried every product out there over the counter and nothing worked for me. The day I put revolution on my bunnies it started working. It goes on between the shoulder blades so there is less risk of the product coming into contact with their eyes or them licking it off.
a lot of over the counter products have also been known to cause toxicity in not only cats and dogs whom they are intended for, but especially in small animals.
If you see a specific location where the animal has a tick, then you can try smothering it in vaseline or oil. Just dab it all over that specific area. You can also clean your rabbits' ears with any kind of oil (baby, vegetable, canola) and this also rids the animal of ear mites.
Typically, I don't like using wood shavings, but fleas especially seem to avoid cedar. They don't like it and I noticed less of the pests hanging around my rabbits.
You will know if the animal has fleas if they have grit, blackish sand/ gravel through their hair. If you find this, then rest assured, the animal has fleas. They are excellent at hiding and as the animal turns over, the fleas will also rotate to the animals underside. They tend to congregate around the neck area and at the hind legs. Fur mites will cause actual patches of fur loss.

Any other questions and fell free to contact me.

Alice