Small black lumps in ears

Question
We've just taken on 2 8 week old lionhead bunnies (2 does).  One of them is scratching slightly around her ears - and on closer inspection has some little black raised spots/lumps on the inside of her ears. She has a grey coat - is this just how her ears look or has she got some infestation?  There isn't any crustiness or discharge from her ears.

Also we didn't take their brother - but would quite like to.  The rabbits are housed outside - is 3 a crowd? and do siblings mate (although we would get all spayed / neutered in due course) - but would there be a danger in them mating before this time even though they're siblings?


Answer
Dear Rosamund,

Without seeing the bumps, I can't tell for sure what they are.  But if they are ectoparasites or mange (which is possible), then Revolution (selamectin) from your vet will be the best treatment.  Please read:

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

and find a good vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Three rabbits together are fine if they are neutered/spayed and bonded, but they need lots of space to run and play and get away from each other.  Yes, siblings will mate, so the male should be neutered as soon as his testicles descend.  Please see:

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

for more information on that.

If you're going to get the male, do it soon.  It doesn't take long for rabbits to become unbonded, and it's best to get them all together while their new territory is still fresh and no one has taken ownership.

Hope this helps.

Dana