How to treat ear mites in rabbits: medications and folk remedies against a parasitic disease

What does an ear mite look like?

Ear mites are almost impossible to see with the naked eye - their size is no more than 0,8 mm. The body is oval, brown. Parasites have 4 pairs of prehensile paws and a sharp proboscis, thanks to which they can pierce the skin and suck out fluid.

Cause of ear mites in rabbits

Most often, animals become infected with ear mites in the autumn-winter period or in early spring. The appearance of parasites is accompanied by the following factors:

• poor conditions of detention: unsanitary conditions, insufficient nutrition;
• large crowding of rabbits in a cage;
• weakened immunity of animals, recent viral diseases;
• non-compliance with the temperature regime.

How do rabbits get ear mites and how does it develop?

Infection with psoroptosis can occur in several ways:

1. By contact with infected individuals, it is not necessary that the individual belong to the same species. Ear mites affect cats, dogs, sheep, cows and horses.
2. Newborn rabbits become infected from a sick mother. Most often, the disease is found in rabbits about 3,5 months old.
3. When moving to a cage in which a rabbit infected with ear scabies previously lived and the necessary disinfection was not carried out;
4. Through inventory or contact with the owner's clothing, which may contain parasites.

Pests live on the body of rabbits for about 2 months. Outside the victim, they are able to exist for no more than 24 days. The female tick lays its eggs in the external auditory canal. Parasites multiply rapidly - one female can lay up to 60 eggs per day.

When deposited, a special sticky secret is released, thanks to which the eggs are firmly attached to the skin.

A microscopic larva develops from the egg, then it turns into a protonymph, and then into a telenymph. The last stage of tick development is imago. The whole life cycle is 16-20 days.

Rabbit ear mange symptoms

The latent period of psoroptosis is 5 days. The following are typical symptoms of the disease:

• the animal experiences severe itching, itches furiously, shakes its ears and shakes its head (at the same time, when the disease passes into a complicated form, itching may stop);
• the general activity decreases, the state is depressed, the animal does not show interest in relatives;
• refusal of males to mate;
• loss of appetite, refusal to eat;
• increased body temperature;
• weight loss;
• ears become hot, exude stench.

Laboratory and home diagnostic methods

Laboratory analysis is carried out in a veterinary clinic using special equipment. Specialists use the following methods:

• examination with an otoscope;
• cytological examination;
• CT scan or X-ray (may be needed if the inner ear is affected).

If there is no opportunity to visit a veterinarian, the examination can be carried out at home. For this you will need:

• thin sharp tool for taking material;
• Vaseline oil;
• small glass;
• magnifying glass or microscope.

Treatment of ear mites in rabbits with medications

Treatment of psoroptosis is usually standard. To get rid of ear mites, drugs that have an acaricidal effect are prescribed.

Ointment

For the treatment of ear scabies, Aversectin ointment is effective. It is applied in a thin layer to the affected areas 1 time per day for 5 days. Advantages of the drug: affordable price with high efficiency, can be bought at any pharmacy. Disadvantages: ugly texture, difficult to apply.

Drops

Drops are instilled into the ear passages according to the instructions. Before use, it is necessary to clean the ear passages from crusts and scabs. The procedures are carried out for 2 weeks, then they take a break. The following drugs are most popular:

1. Decta. The drug is intended for cats and dogs, but can also be used for rabbits. Advantages: efficiency, have no smell affordable price. Disadvantages: are absent.
2. Valekson. An analogue of the above drug. Advantages: affordable price, efficiency. Disadvantages: are absent.

Emulsions for ear mites

Emulsions are similar to drops in terms of the method of exposure and method of application. Most often, neostomazan is prescribed for the treatment of ear scabies in rabbits. A solution is prepared from the emulsion independently and used according to the instructions. Advantages of the drug: high efficiency. Disadvantages: inconvenient release form, Strong smell.

Sprays and aerosols

Before the procedure, it is necessary to clean the visible surface of the ear from scabs and crusts with hydrogen peroxide. Sprays and aerosols are sprayed at a distance of 15 cm onto the inner surface of the sink. The following drugs have proven themselves in the best way:

• acrodex;
• psoroptol;
• acaromectin.

The funds have a similar composition and principle of operation. Advantages of drugs: convenient release form the result is noticeable almost immediately. Disadvantages: relatively high price.

Treating scabies with injections

In agreement with the veterinarian, subcutaneous injections can be used. Solutions are highly effective, injections are given twice, with an interval of 10 days. List of drugs:

• ivermek;
• ivomek;
• ivermectin.

The funds are created on the basis of one active substance, have a similar principle of action. Advantages of injections: high efficiency, only 2 injections are required. Disadvantages: to carry out the procedure, you need to have a special skill.

How to treat ear mites in rabbits with folk remedies

At the initial stage of the disease, folk remedies can be very effective. They can also be used as an adjunct to drug therapy.

Kerosene and any vegetable oil

Kerosene is mixed with vegetable oil in equal proportions. Apply the resulting mixture to the skin of the ear and gently massage. After softening the crusts, remove the product.

Possible consequences for rabbits

Ear scabies is not as dangerous as its consequences. In an uncomplicated form of the disease, infection with parasites will not have a serious effect on the health of the animal: they will grow and develop normally.

However, in the presence of concomitant pathologies, lack of necessary therapy, psoroptosis can cause serious consequences: hearing loss, impaired coordination, bacterial and fungal infection. The latter, under the most unfavorable circumstances, can cause the death of a rabbit.

Mycoses are microscopic fungi complicating ear scabies

Psoroptosis is often confused with similar, comorbid conditions in rabbits, with ear discharge and severe itching. The skin of the inner surface of the ears, affected by ear mites, is an ideal environment for microscopic fungi.

That is why prolonged ear scabies is almost always accompanied by mycoses.

Getting on the skin damaged by a tick, mushrooms immediately form colonies that look like scabs and scabs.

Fungal infections weaken the rabbit's immune system and complicate the treatment of scabies, in addition, due to fungal damage, it is not always possible to notice mites on the inner ear. The final diagnosis can only be made with the help of a laboratory test, the treatment is exclusively medical.

Preventive measures

To avoid the appearance and spread of ear mites among rabbits, breeders are advised to take the following preventive measures:

1. Avoid high humidity in rooms where rabbits are kept. Their homes should be warm and dry.
2. Disinfect cells at least 2 times a year. It is recommended to do this in spring and autumn.
3. Avoid crowding of animals.
4. Quarantine new pets for 30 days.
5. Provide good nutrition, add vitamin supplements to the diet.
6. Conduct regular inspection of rabbits, especially before mating.