Rabbit dandruff & sores

Question
I bought my daughter a raabit for her birthday about 6 months ago.  We noticed some sores on the belly of the rabbit and took it to the vet.  We were given a topical cream to apply to the sores 2x a day. They went away for a few weeks but are now comming back again and there is also alot of dandruff and dry skin flakes on his back as well.  I would bring him back to the vet again but I was charged $287 for the last visit because a rabbit is considered an "exotic animal". I just cannot afford vet bill like that. Is there any over the counter medicine or home treatments I can do to clear up the spots and dandruff?  And should I be worried about my daughter handling the rabbit with this skin problem?

Answer
Dear Dee,

Your daughter cannot contract the skin problem, which is most likely due to fur mites (Cheyletiella) and/or other types of mites that are specific to rabbits.  Please read:

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

And don't go back to that vet who fleeced you that badly for such a simple problem!  Shameful!!  Instead, use this list to find a vet who is a specialist in exotics, and is experienced with rabbit medicine:

www.rabbit.org/vets

The problem is easily treated with Revolution (selamectin), but you need this prescribed by a vet.  DO NOT use Frontline, as it can be deadly.

I hope this helps.

Dana