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Flea Treatments and frequency

L

Lu_x

Mama Doe
Hi,

I was just wondering what flea treatments do others use for their buns? Also how often do they get treated?

My vets care sheet says Flea treatment should be monthly. Obviously, I want to prevent fleas rather than have to cure them at a latter date. I've read that rabbit fleas can survive for up to 9 months at temperatures nearing freezing without even feeding! :shock:

Thanks x
 
I only flea mine if they get fleas. I had a bad experience with a product once and it killed my bun, so now I only do it if I absolutely have to. We have never had rabbit fleas, but we did have cat fleas on a rabbit, although not for 18 months. It puts a lot of chemicals into the bun and I personally only do it if necessary. That's just my choice though.
 
Xenex, and apparently plenty of other people's buns have struggled with it and the buns have suffered too, although not with death, but bad reactions and stuff.

One wildlife rehabber I spoke to said that fleas hate Listerine so when he gets a bun in, he gets Listerine on a flannel and wipes the bun with it and any fleas hop right off. Not sure if that is neat Listerine or a dilute version or what.
 
I've never treated mine for fleas in the 18 months Ive had him. He doesnt have much direct contact with other animals though.
 
I've always treated my cats and it is suggested on my vets care sheet so it made me think about it! We do treat the house (obviously without the animals in the room at the time!) is that enough? x
 
I only flea mine if they need it, but the anti-fly spray we use in summer kills flea's too... so technically they are done a couple of times a year.
 
I've always treated my cats and it is suggested on my vets care sheet so it made me think about it! We do treat the house (obviously without the animals in the room at the time!) is that enough?
Click to expand...

I would think so. Try it and see. Youll notice if one or two fleas appear and, if so, then you'll know you need to treat them more regularly.

(I think cats are different, as they go out further away from the house into other gardens/fields/whathaveyou and mix with other animals or in areas used by other (wild) animals. Pet rabbits tend to be kept more closely and mingle less.)
 
I have not treated Tila for fleas in the 9 month's I've had him. He's always in close proximity with my dogs and cats, and I am yet to see a single flea on him while grooming him.

If you do need to treat though, please only use a treatment purchased from the vet on their advice. Particular brands (eg, FRONTLINE) are known to be deadly to rabbits, and my vet does not sell frontline to treat rabbits. Sadly, some vets are not so rabbit-savy, or they are ignorant. As I have said, I have not had to treat Tila, but I do have to treat my cas and dogs, and we use a rabbit-safe brand (Advantage I think, but I would double check. We have not had to treat our animals in a while now) I would not even use frontline on my other animals, knowing that they are in contact with my bun.
 
Thanks everyone. Don't worry Banni Binky I won't use anything I'm 100 % certain is safe. I'm not really sure I'll worry about it for now as the general consensus seems to be that I shouldn't worry too much! As I say, the house is treated, so maybe that enough! x
 
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