Worried about zoniton emulsion

Question
QUESTION: Dear Ms. Krempels,

I just washed my bunny with zoniton emulsion (enilconazole). He didn't cry or anything, just made a sound I never heard before. I suspect he was feeling cold and was in shock. The vet said I have to wash his ears too. My question is, does this hurt? If the emulsion gets inside his hears, is that painful? I don't want him to be in pain, that's all. (He said I have to wash the ears on the inside too, but I won't do it if it hurts.)

Also, is it ok to dry the bunny right after I've washed him with zoniton? He was shivering, that's why. Is it ok to use a hair dryer, or will this affect the healing process?

Thanx a lot!

ANSWER: Dear Ana,

It is very dangerous to bathe a rabbit with *anything*.  They can easily go into shock and die.  They are very unlike dogs, and the vet who suggested this bath apparently does not know this.

YES, you must blow him dry (not too hot! skin is very delicate!) or he could die of a chill.  Please see:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/buttbath.html

and please tell me why the vet prescribed an anti-fungal bath.  I thought we were dealing with mites?

Dana

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

QUESTION: Thanx so much.

Yes, the bunny didn't like it. When my mom held him in her arms and blew him dry, it was better; he felt safe and ok.

The vet also gave him ivermectin, but I see his ears are still not ok. I'm not sure what it is, the skin looks dry. Does he need another injection of ivermectin (and when is it best) - he got the first one on the 10 th.

Is there like a "rule" when the bunny should be given invermectin as a precaution? Because often his skin appears dry and scaly as if it were ear canker.

And I'd just like to ask one more thing in connection with diet. I know he needs hay at all times, but is it ok to remove the pellets at night, maybe 7 pm, and then give him the pellets in the morning, at like 9 am? I'm asking because he doesn't like hay too much.

Thanx a lot.
Ana x  

Answer
Dear Ana,

Ivermectin is generally given twice, with the two shots 10-14 days apart.  We prefer selamectin (brand name Revolution), which is applied topically and lasts for about 30 days.  This can be given regularly, if your bunny has a chronic mite problem.

The results will not be immediate.  It will take about 2 weeks before the crusts start falling off (if this is mange), as the skin heals from below.  The crusts protect the healing skin in the meantime, so be patient and let the healing happen.  

We always give just a very small amount of pellets to adult rabbits (about 1/4 cup/ 5 lb. bunny), and remove them mid-morning to encourage hay consumption. They really don't need much pellet food, and they'll eat it over hay if they get the chance.  So go ahead and remove the pellets if he's not underweight, and he'll likely eat more hay.

Hope this helps.

Dana