I took Gizmo to the vets yesterday as I noticed he was a bit itchy around the top of his ears and the skin looked a bit scurfy. The vet looked at him and said it was just dandruff like humans get. I wasn't convinced because the skin also looked a little inflamed. The vet went off to get some hibiscrub and told me to dilute it and apply it for a week. But before he came back in with it, I noticed a flea on Gizmo's ear and called the vet back quickly. He then give him a dose of xeno 450. We couldn't find any more fleas but I'm aware that if he has one, there is more. I feel terrible about this as he is groomed every evening but I have not noticed any fleas and its really making me feel like an irresponsible owner. I was using the beapher spot on but stopped once winter arrived as I thought it best to give him a break from these chemicals. I asked the vet if I should use the xeno every month and he said it might be a good idea but I've been reading online that its best to only dose rabbits if they actually have a problem. I'm really keen to keep using something to keep parasites at bay as I feel so awful about this. Is it safe to keep using it? Is the Advantage spot on better? I disinfect his hutch with virkon S, is this good enough? He goes in the garden for hours every day and I've heard they can get fleas off the ground. Would it be best to use rearguard as well? Although I'm not that keen on chemicals, I can't stand the thought of parasites on my bunny. It's made me feel like such a bad mum.
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Flea problem!
- Thread starter ripply
- Start date
Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
I would only use a Flea Treatment if there is evidence of infestation or if the Rabbit is in the vicinity of a high myxomatosis risk. The chemicals are really nasty and in all my 17 years of caring for numerous (well over 100) Rabbits I have only used a flea treatment on a couple of occasions.
Fleas are not always an indication of poor care, they are just one of the things that can happen when keeping Pet Rabbits.
Fleas are not always an indication of poor care, they are just one of the things that can happen when keeping Pet Rabbits.
elmoandfern
Mama Doe
I would only treat if/when you see fleas but would definitely use advantage from the vet rather than beapher spot on which is mostly ineffective so just pointless chemicals!
Like Jane said, you are certainly not doing anything wrong to result in fleas, it just happens!
Like Jane said, you are certainly not doing anything wrong to result in fleas, it just happens!
