Cottontail Wild Rabbit

Question
A year and a half ago, we found a tiny baby cottontail rabbit in our yard, rescued it and have kept it in a cage. It does not like us to pet it or carry it but we take good care of it. About a month ago I noticed the left toe nail on the back left paw and the right toe nail on the back right paw were gone and just a black spot was left. I then noticed some hair loss with some scabbing. Today, almost all of his hair is gone on his back and hindside along with a lot of scabbing and red patches on the bald spots. We are currently in a financial position to not be able to take him to a vet. Do you think you'd might know what it is? And if there is something we can give him over the counter?
I will also let you know back in April, we found two more in the yard and have them all together. They however, are doing fine other than some scratches (probably from fighting) but they do well together.
Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

Answer
Dear Sonia,

It sounds as if the rabbits may have mange, which is caused by microscopic, parasitic mites.  The *only* effective remedy is Revolution (selamectin) from a vet.  Please get some of this medication and apply as per the vet's directions.  DO NOT USE ANY OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION ON A RABBIT.  Many medicaitons safe for other species are deadly to rabbits (e.g., Fronline (fipronil)).  Please read:

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

though mange looks different on a cottontail than it does on a domestic rabbit.

If you have these animals in captivity, it is your responsibility to give them medical care when necessary.  The condition is painful, itchy and miserable, and it would be extremely cruel NOT to treat. I know you will be able to find the funds to do this, and it should not be very expensive. You can find a rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

And speaking of cruel...wild rabbits should *not* be kept in a cage.  This is very, very cruel for a wild animal, and although you take good care of him, he needs freedom to run, and to be a wild rabbit.  It is actually *illegal* for you to keep the cottontails captive.  You need special permits to keep them captive, and must be able to house them in a way that is consistent with their wild natures.

If you really love these cottontails, and I know you do, then you will treat them for mange and then *release* them in your yard.  They will very likely stay around the area, and even raise families there.  This will give you (and them!) so much more enjoyment than living a lonely, boring life in a cage.  This is not even suitable for a domestic rabbit.  And keeping a *wild* one in a cage for its entire life (which can be 15 years...except that a captive will suffer so much stress that his life will be shortened) is even worse.

PLEASE release the wild rabbits.  It is the right thing to do.  I think you know this in your heart.  One reason they have even *gotten* the mange is because they are stressed and unhappy--even if they do not obviously show it (rabbits are very stoic).  A healthy rabbit doesn't get mange.  A stressed, miserable one does.

Do the right thing.  Release the little wild ones so they can live a free life, just as you do.  They deserve nothing less.

Dana