New Rabbit with fleas

Question
Hello Dana,

I just bought a new rabbit and he tends to scratch alot.  I have only had him for a day and wonder if I should return him to the pet store or if I should get him a flea coller.  I dont want fleas in my apartment.  What should I do?  Should I go to Petsmart to see if they have any flea remover?  Please help right away..

Joe Fagan

Answer
Dear Joe,

Rabbits scratch for reasons other than fleas, but fortunately all are quite treatable.  Please don't return him.  Instead, get some Revolution (selamectin) from your vet.  It's a topical medication that works against mites and fleas for about a month.  DO NOT use a flea collar, and DO NOT use Frontline, which is deadly to rabbits.  Also DO NOT use anything you'd buy over the counter to kill fleas, as many of those products are NOT safe for rabbits, even though they might say they are on the label.

Revolution is not sold over the counter, but it is really the only safe flea/ectoparasite remedy for rabbits.  You
can find a good rabbit vet to help you here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Advantage and Program are also safe, but they are not effective against mites, which are a more common cause of scratching in bunnies.  Please see:

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

for more information, and read the articles here:

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

and here:

www.rabbit.org

to find out how best to take care of your new family member so  he'll have a long, happy, healthy life.

Hope that helps. Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana