Should you preemptively treat (indoor) rabbits for parasites?

[kugelschreiber]

I think we got something in our hay as I had many bites a couple of days ago. I've since stayed away from the hay, applied coconut oil with tea tree essential oil on my body to deter/kill any possible mites, hoovered everywhere and sprayed water mixed with essential oils on upholstery (which the buns don't have access to), and we're in the process of freezing the hay (unfortunately it was a new 9kg order!) bit by bit for 72h (small freezer :/), but until that's done my partner is changing the litter and feeding the rabbits their hay as he hasn't experienced any itching. The rabbits haven't really been scratching themselves and I haven't noticed anything on their skin (they're lionhead's so a bit hard), although mites are apparently too small to be visible to the naked eye anyway.

I am wondering if, once all of the hay has gone through the freezer (then stored in a different room and at the end cleaning the original storage room etc to avoid 'contamination'), should we preemptively give the rabbits a parasite spot treatment?

Thanks for your help

 

[InspectorMorse]

No, prophylactic treatment of Rabbits for ectoparasites is unnecessary,IMO

It is far more likely that what you are experiencing is hives due to an allergy to the specific type of hay. I get exactly the same thing with Readigrass. An oral antihistamine such as Loratadine calms my itchy, lumpy skin down. If it’s really bad I apply a topical 1% hydrocortisone cream as a one off treatment.

 

[Shimmer]

No, I wouldn't treat rabbits unless they actually had an infestation, and that's usually because they are having other health issues which means they are not able to groom properly. I've never had issues with rabbits getting infested from hay, even when I've had dodgy hay.

 

[kugelschreiber]

hmm it looked a lot like little bites though, and they were mostly on my legs... I've never had issues with hay before so I was/am pretty sure it was straw itch mites that are apparently commonly found in hay and cause these kinda symptoms

 

[bunny momma]

If your bunnies are scratching excessively, you may need a vet visit to check them for mites.

 

[InspectorMorse]

No, I wouldn't treat rabbits unless they actually had an infestation, and that's usually because they are having other health issues which means they are not able to groom properly. I've never had issues with rabbits getting infested from hay, even when I've had dodgy hay.

I only get the allergy hives on my arms