Fleas and maybe mites?

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I've recently let my cottontail back into the wild. Her name is Brownie and she's a year old. I see fleas on her, and I want to help her. I heard "Revolution for kittens" was the perfect solution for her, but my mom went to the store and bought a different brand, "Ultra Care Flea and Tick Spray for small animals [by small animals, they meant rabbits as well]". I heard that a lot of flea and tick sprays were not safe for rabbits, and I was wondering if you have any information on this. I don't want to harm Brownie in any way!

ANSWER: Hi Lacy:

I apologize for not answering your question sooner - I just returned from a rabbit convention.

Can you please clarify what you mean by letting her back into the wild?

Did you turn the rabbit loose to live?  Do you keep her outside?  Please explain.

Before I answer your flea question, I need to give a word of caution -
Please DO NOT let your bunny loose on the ground or free to roam outside.

This puts your bunny at great risk from predators, many of which can be fatal.

There are many insects that can bite and kill a rabbit.

Spiders can be fatal.  Wasps, hornets and bees can be fatal.  A single fly can cause a condition known as "fly-strike" which causes a very, very painful death in a rabbit and its from one single fly.

Additionally, mosquitos can carry disease; ants can cause painful bits and parasites and maggots are a big risk if a rabbit sits on the ground.

There are a variety of snakes that can kill her, not to mention cats, dogs and sky predators such as hawks, buzzards, vultures and even large crows.

It's simply not safe for a domestic rabbit to be left alone outdoors.  Wild rabbits live in underground burrows to prevent predator problems, but domestic rabbits or wild rabbits turned into pets do not have that same instinct.

As for the fleas - you are correct, revolution is the best choice and in fact, nothing else should be used.

Most other flea and tick formulas have ingredients that penetrate the skin and can be very unsafe and even toxic to rabbits.

Get some revolution for her to get the fleas under control and then be certain she is in a cage off the ground and free from pests and predators.

Best luck to you and your bunny.

Lisa L.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: To clarify, my rabbit was a wild cottontail rabbit I found outside when she was about 5-10 days old. I'm releasing her back into the wild because I've heard of cottontail rehabbers who've done the same thing.

Answer
If you saved her at 5-10 days old and she's currently a year, she has lost most of her natural protective instincts and may not do well in the wild.  Most particularly, her digestive system does not have the correct enzymes for her to digest and gain nourishment from native plant matter.  It will lead to cecal dysbiosis in her.  Animal rehabbers release animals as soon as they are old enough or well enough to be released to avoid them becoming used to humans and losing their natural instincts.  If they've had any animal for any length of time, they send it to an animal sanctuary to live out the rest of its life in a cage so it can be safe.

Whatever you choose, it was wonderful that you rescued her when she needed it :)  That's a great act of kindness.

If you wish to treat her for fleas, use revolution and nothing else.  You don't want to risk the damaging affects other products can cause.

Best wishes to your bunny.