allergies

Question
I have a lionhead rabbit and he has allergies and is stratching all the time what could I do to help him?

Answer
Hi Kathy,

Your question actually leads to to ask some questions?  Why do you think he has allergies?  And where it he scratching?

Usually when we think of allergies in rabbits...and honestly we really don't know that they can actually have allergies....are usually noted by sneezing and nasal discharge.  I have been working rabbits for decades and I can't recall ever seeing a true allergy that causes scratching.

Is he on any medications?  Antibiotics?  Sometimes it might be possible for a rabbit to have an adverse reaction that might include scratching.  Have you given him anything over the counter?  Maybe like flea mediation from a pet store or anything along these lines?  Rabbits are very sensitive to certain agents contacting their skin...many of the flea and/or tick treatments available at pet stores or large box stores can be toxic to rabbits up to the point of causing death.

My first thought when I hear of a rabbit scratching is mites.  Ear mites usually cause them to shake their heads back and forth a lot and they will scratch their ears often and sometimes to the point of bleeding.  Ear mites are usually noticed when the brownish red crusty stuff they leave behind is seen in the ear canals or on the ear flaps.  Ear mites can lead to severe infections that can cause hearing loss and neurological issues that can be difficult to deal with.  Fur mites look like flaky skin...and sometimes the flakes move.  We call this "walking dander".  Fur mites cause intense inching, fur loss, bleeding and possible secondary bacterial infections.  Many people would advise you in treating this to use kitten products from a pet store.  Some of these products can cause death.  Never use a product called Frontline on a rabbit.  It is highly toxic to them and I have never known a rabbit that was given Frontline to survive.  Some suggest used motor oil.  Barbaric, ineffective and the oil can absorb transdermally and is toxic.  Many people, including many vets, use Ivermectin to treat mites.  You can buy this drug without a prescription at many farm supply stores.  It is highly effective when used properly.  It is normally given in three doses at precise intervals.  The first dose kills the adults, the second kills any parasites that have hatched since the first treatment and the last does mop up.  WARNING:Even though this drug is usually safe in rabbits....some do have adverse life threatening events after using this drug.  It is a toxin.  Use only under the supervision of a rabbit savvy vet.  My personal choice would be Selemectin....sold under the brand name of Revolution.  It is available by prescription only.  Very effective and we have never had any problems with reactions.  In rare situations intestinal parasites can also cause problems with the skin.  This is rare and I have only seen it a couple of times.  A deworming protocol resolved this issue.

I would suggest employing the services of a rabbit savvy vet.  Mites are easily diagnosed by a scraping and taking a peek under a microscope.  The drugs needed to interrupt the life cycle of parasites have to taken into consideration when building a treatment protocol.  Mites are very painful and can lead to serious complications if not treated properly.  Due to the risks involved in the improper use of these drugs....use under the suprvision of a skilled vet....the problem can be safely resloved.