fleas and illness

Question
Hello,

My drawf rabbit is about 4- 4 1/2 years old and he has a flea problem I can't get rid of. I already spent 40 dollars on the advantage orange for rabbits and that didn't even work. I was wondering if there is any way I can treat him with things like vinegar. I also noticed that he isn't playing and running about as much as he use to. I have another rabbit (female) which my drawf rabbit (male) loved to come and visit, but now he isn't even interested in her. Do you think the fleas are causing his possible illness or maybe old age? Also, he sometimes makes this coughing sound which I thought could be snuffles / pasturella, but he doesn't have the nasal discharge. If you could give me any information on what could be going on that would be great! Thanks for you time.

Ashley

Answer
Dear Ashley,

I have found that Revolution (selamectin) works better against fleas and mites than other products, including Advantage (just don't use Frontline, which can be deadly).  Vinegar will not kill the fleas, and would be pretty miserable for your bunny. I would not try this.

In my experience, rabbits don't get a flea problem unless they are otherwise ill.  The fact that he's coughing suggests that he might have either a respiratory problem, or--actually more likely in a 4.5 year old dwarf, since dwarf rabbits and other short-faced breeds are *especially* prone to this--MOLAR SPURS.  As weird as it sounds, molar spurs can cause hacking and coughing because when they are pretty advanced and long, they can press on the back of the tongue and elicit a choking/gagging reflex.  (Rabbits can't vomit, but they do have a gag reflex.)  Really bad spurs can cause mouth ulcers, form a bridge over the tongue, or even pierce the cheek and/or tongue, causing major misery and constant pain.  In rabbits, this alone can cause immunosuppression and depression that could attract ectoparasites such as fleas and mites.

I know of one case in which a rabbit had a wad of fur stuck down his throat because a tiny strand of fur from the wad/furball got looped around a back molar and stuck there.  The vet had put the bunny under anesthesia to have a look for molar spurs, found none, but noticed a thin, dark band around a back molar.  He pulled on it, and up came the horrible hairball from the poor bunny's throat!  Fortunately, that did solve the choking/hacking problem.

So I would *definitely* have the molars checked.  You can read more here:

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

and find a vet who is experienced with rabbits here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

You can read about the symptoms and causes of respiratory problems here:

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

But there's really no substitute for getting your bunny to a good rabbit vet for a deep dental exam and a full wellness check so you can find out if there's something going on inside him that's weakening his system and attracting fleas.  

Seriously, none of my rabbits *ever* get fleas unless they are ill, and that's one way we know something is wrong.  If your female bunny has no fleas, that's another big clue.

If the two are not spayed/neutered, please also see:

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

Spay/neuter (once the male is healthy again) will allow them to live together, and not just "visit" and not be able to cuddle.

I hope this helps get you started.  Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana