Ivermectin

Question
My rabbit was prescribed Ivermectin for systemic mites. He has to get regular teeth filings for spurs and sometimes after a teeth filing his immune system gets a little low and his systemic mites make him scratch his ears. The vet usually gives him an injection but this time his ears seemed good for days after his filing. However several days later his ears started to act up and I could not get in to see the vet so he left me Ivermectin to pick up but in oral form.  0.1 cc
My question is, is it safe to give Ivermectin orally to rabbit and is that a safe dosage?

Answer
Hi,

I am not positive as I don't know the strength (what percent) of the ivermectin.  I would guess the vet is correct as most oral doses of ivermectin would be very small for a bunny. 1/10 of a cc would sound about right.  It can be given orally to rabbits.  It is one of the safer things (in a proper dose) to give them.

Can't the vet put him on a long-term treatment to eradicate the mite problem?  Also if he ever has to go on antibiotics for awhile, to keep him eating, use 1/4 tablet of bonine (meclizine) every 12 hours.  They are raspberry flavored (walgreens) and will make sure he keeps eating.  Antibiotics (as well as an infection or virus in the wrong place) can shut down appetite.  THe second thing to give him would be probiotics.  Bene-bac has 15 mL syringes that you can give little doses from that taste very good and are made to survive the stomach acid well.