Ear mite infestation in rabbits is caused by the parasite Psoroptes cuniculiis. They may be found in only rabbit ears and in some cases may spread to the surrounding areas the head, neck, abdomen, and genital regions.
The main symptom is skin scales on the inner ear, which turn into larger, thicker crusted lesions with surrounding hair loss. If left untreated, the lesions can become infected, putting the inner ear at risk of infection and subsequent hearing loss.
SYMPTOMS
– Intense itching of the infected areas mostly the ears, head, and neck.
– Head shaking and scratching.
– Affected areas may become extremely painful.
– Thick, brown to beige crusty exudate in the ear.
– Chewing of ears.
– Hair loss and peeling of skin around the ears.
– loss of weight
– Inflammation and crusting of the external ear canal of one or both ear.
TREATMENT
Ear mite is contagious, so making it necessary to treat rabbits that are in contact with the rabbit that is infected, thoroughly clean and treat the environment in which the rabbit lives.
Remove and discard all organic material from the cage, including wood or paper products, and bedding, the cage should also be thoroughly cleaned regularly. Antiparasitic drug called ivermectin can be used to eliminate the mites from your rabbit’s ears and crusts on the skin should not be removed, as they will only reveal exposed tissue.
The Ivermectin injection is so effective that in 2-3days it will be gone and your rabbit ear will be clean again, the rabbit will become active and agile again to run effectively like other healthy ones.
Once treatment has begun and the mites are no longer infesting the crusted skin, the underlying skin will be able to heal and the crusts will fall away.