Remedies for Rabbit Ear Mites

Mites are parasites that live in or on the skin of animals and feed off their blood. Rabbits commonly get infestations in or around their ears, where mites and their larvae cause infection, hair loss and scabbing. If your rabbit constantly shakes her head and scratches her ears, she might have ear mites and need to see a veterinarian. A diagnosis by a veterinarian will determine the proper remedy for your rabbit's ear mites.

  1. Determining a Course of Action

    • Not all veterinarians know how to treat rabbits, so get a referral from someone who also has a pet rabbit, or visit the House Rabbit Society's veterinarian listings page. Sometimes mites are not always visible to the naked eye, especially if the parasite has lodged itself in the rabbit's skin. Your vet will take samples from the skin, whether by scraping the skin, using a tape method or a vacuum aspiration method, and study them under a microscope. A rabbit-savvy veterinarian will be able to determine if both ears are infected as well as diagnose the severity of the infestation.

    Medicines

    • There are a number of medicines that could be prescribed for your pet, and it is important that you follow your vet's instructions when administering the medicine. A topical solution, such as Revolution (selamectin), may be prescribed. Although you may be able to purchase this product in stores or on the Internet, it is best to get a prescription from your veterinarian so that he call tell you the proper dosage for your rabbit. An avermectin medication, such as ivermectin, is commonly used to kill ear mites and can be taken orally, via injection or applied directly to the ear. This is an effective remedy because it kills the active mite and remains in the rabbit's ear long enough to kill any hatching larvae. Antibiotic ear drops, which may be administered to the ear or taken orally, are prescribed for cases where the rabbit has a middle ear infection in addition to the mites. Return to the veterinarian office if your rabbit exhibits additional symptoms or does not show improvement within a specified time period.