1. Is it fur mite? 2. Biting

Question
It's my habit to surf the net in the nude with my black lionhead between the chair and my back.  A while ago as I was petting her I noticed a rough spot on her head.  On closer inspection I found a 1/4" bald spot with some black specks on the fur. Then a large one crawled across the bald spot.  I think it was sesame shape and shinny black.  It shocked me so I immediately gave her kitten flea treatment and took a shower.  When I tried to find the pests later I couldn't see them. I think the big one was 2 or 3 times the size of what I remember of a flea.  The small ones might have moved but slowly. I haven't gotten a flea bite so I don't think it's fleas plus there's the bald spot.  The pictures I've found on the net have mites looking transparent so I don't know if it's mites.

If it's fur mite she probably picked it up while outside in the yard.  Do fur mite also like human hair?

Some times out of the blue while next to me she bites me.  Is she just trying to get my attention?  It's not as hard as her get your hand out of my cage bite that come with grunting.  

Answer
Dear Tom,

If you could see the parasite, it was probably a flea.  And it would not necessarily bite you if it was already making a meal of your bunny.

Flea powders are not advisable for rabbits.  A much safer remedy for fleas and mites is Revolution (selamectin), which you can read about here:

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

This article also covers the various causes of fur loss in rabbits, as well as safe treatments.

You can find a good rabbit vet to help you here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Rabbits nip for various reasons (to get attention, to tell y ou they want to be put down, to keep you from picking them up, to establish dominance, etc.), and it's important to know the *context* of her biting for me to know what her reasons are.

Please write back with more details, and I'll do my best to help.

Dana