rabbit fur falling out

Question
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Followup To
Question -
my rabbit is 1 1/2 years old.  i have been through several sheddings.  he is losing fur on his back.  this is not typical shedding.  he seems to have had a thin fur spot which has spread.  i cannot see any parisites but have seen a dark spot that i thought was blood.  it was not.  his skin feels intact and unbroken with no growth or swelling underneath.  he does not seem to be sensitive to the touch and with the exception of not have thick fur to brush, does not mind brushing the area.


Answer -
Dear Terri,

This sounds like a case of fur mites (Cheletiella sp.), which are very hard to see, even with a deep skin scraping.  Please see:

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

Please find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

When we have a rabbit showing symptoms like this, we treat with Revolution (selamectin), whether or not we can actually find mites, since they are *very* hard to find.  The problem has invariably cleared up well with selamectin, really the only good treatment for fur mites.  DO NOT use Frontline, which can be deadly to rabbits.

Hope that helps!

Dana

Thanks, I have an appointment in two weeks is that soon enough.  Ash is eating well and his stool/urine output seems normal.  the only thing that seems unlike him is a little aggressive playing in the AM but i have just begun leaving him out all night.  Is there any treatment to my house I have to do to make sure he doesn't get these again?  If I can wait two weeks, anyway to make him more comfortable (not that he seems uncomfortable)?

Thanks for the quick reply.

Terri

Answer
Dear Terri,

Revolution is a topical medication that lasts about 30 days, so that should prevent the problem from flaring up for a while.  But there's almost no way to prevent him from being exposed.  Most rabbits harbor a few mites all the time, and for some reason (immunosuppression, stress, etc.) they sometimes flare up.  The key to keeping mites at bay is to keep bunny on a healthy diet with plenty of fresh air, sunshine, and exercise so he's stress free and happy.

Hope that helps!

Dana