Ear Mites

Ear Mites are or can be quite common in rabbits. Thankfully they are easy to treat. If left untreated they can turn into secondary infections, such as a bacterial or yeast infection or even an inner ear infection.

Here are the symptoms of a rabbit with ear mites:
* A rabbit with ear mites will shake its head often and scratch its ears. Sometimes if they have been scratching their ears alot they will get a little bald spot on the back of the ear.
* Ear mites look like a dark brown waxy, crusty substance in the ear. If it is really bad there will be alot of the dark brown waxy, crusty substance in the ear. The inner ear canal may also become red and inflamed.

Treatment for Ear Mites:
* There are a few options that people use for treating ear mites. The easiest way is to drop a few drops of Ivermectin (Ivomec) in-between the shoulders. Repeat in 10-14 days.
* Putting cat ear mite treatment in for a couple days or as directed on bottle is very effective. Most feed stores sell some kind of treatment (one such brand is Ear Miticide)
* Oil (such as mineral oil or olive oil) can be put in the ears for 3 days in a row and then repeat every ten days or as necessary.
* A little Ivermectin can be added to some mineral oil to treat ear mites.

Prevention:
* Putting oil (such as mineral oil or olive oil) in the ears every month.
* The rabbits ears should be checked on a weekly basis for ear mites.