Extremely flakey skin

[LiniMoplover8]

My black and white Dutch Buttercup has been having a skin problem the past 2 months. I first noticed it about a week after Christmas. I expected it to heal/go away, but it hasn't. All of the dryness is on her back, behind her white saddle. It's only on the top of her back, where her fur is black. Buttercup is about 5-6 years old and purely a pet. I've checked her nose to tail for signs of bugs or dryness anywhere else, but its only on her back. It doesn't look serious, but her fur is starting to thin out where the dryness is. I have not put anything on the dry area.
Note: My family is unable to afford taking her to the vet unless its an emergency. Thanks! :biggrin:
Also Buttercup lives in a cage right next to Floppy [mini lop] and Floppy has not showed any signs of having the same thing.

 

[funnybunnymummy]

My first guess is mites. They're invisible to the naked eye, but the first sign of them is "dandruff."

Many members here treat their rabbits with topical products such as Revolution or Advantage. They're easy enough to obtain by prescription from your vet, but you can order both online without a prescription too. Stay away from Frontline and anything with Permythrin in it as these products are known to cause adverse reaction in rabbits. Also Ivermectin, which can be safe to use on rabbits and can easily be found at most tack and feed stores, has been known to cause adverse reactions in the Dutch breed, so I'd steer clear of it in your case.

There's been discussion recently of Food Grade diatomaceous earth as an antiparasitic. I don't know much about it, but perhaps look into that if you're unwilling to take her to the vet?

Hope that helps!

Rue

 

[LiniMoplover8]

Thanks! I'll look for some of those the next time I go to Tractor Supply.

 

[funnybunnymummy]

About the only thing you'll be able to get at tractor supply that may help your bunny is the diatomaceous earth. You can buy Ivermectin there (under various brand names) and normally I'd recommend trying that. But it's known to cause seizures in Dutch rabbits, so I DO NOT recommend using that for your rabbit.

You will not find Revolution or Advantage there. It's by prescription only or you have to buy it online at somewhere like Petmeds. You'll need the puppy/kitten formula.

Any other topical flea treatments you could buy at Tractor Supply will likely have Permythrin in them which is highly unsafe for rabbits. I DO NOT recommend buying these either.

Do you have a vet? Could you call them up and see how much they'd charge for a prescription of Revolution or Advantage? It may not be as expensive as you're thinking it is.

Hope that helps!

Rue

 

[Pipp]

WARNING! DO NOT USE IVERMECTIN ON A DUTCH-MARKED RABBIT!!! The can have a bad reaction to it. (Odd genetics).

Revolution. And I'd say ONLY Revolution. Advantage won't get rid of mites. Not sure about DE. I've heard it has some drawbacks, but it needs more research.


sas :clover:

 

[LakeCondo]

If it is fur mites, it probably would be a good idea to increase the distance between the 2 cages, so they can't spread.

The only thing about DE to be careful about is to apply it so as little as possible gets into the air & breathed, either by you or by the rabbit. It penetrates the shells of insects but doesn't bother any person or pet [unless that pet is an insect]. Some people even eat a little DE every day, but I think I'll pass on that right now.

 

[LiniMoplover8]

I talked to a lady who has grown up with rabbits her whole life and she gave us advice. Buttercup is looking much better. :biggrin2:

 

[ZRabbits]

LiniMoplover8 wrote:

I talked to a lady who has grown up with rabbits her whole life and she gave us advice. Buttercup is looking much better. :biggrin2:

Truly glad to hear Buttercup is looking much better.

K

 

[tonyshuman]

Glad to hear. I had a Dutch have a bad reaction to Ivermectin, so I just wanted to reiterate the Advantage/Revolution suggestion for Dutch rabbits. It may even be a bit iffy to use Revolution on Dutches as it is a chemical analog of ivermectin.