Preventing and Treating Mange Mites in Rabbits

1 Symptoms

By the site invaded, rabbit mange splits into body mange and ear mange.

1. Body mange (sarcoptic): Starts on the feet, nose, and mouth, causing severe itching and pain and restlessness. Hair loss and watery discharge follow, then dry yellowish-brown crusts form, thickening and cracking the skin. Bacterial infection worsens it, disrupting metabolism and leading to wasting, anemia, and death.

2. Ear mange (psoroptic): Mites live in the outer ear canal, piercing the skin with their mouthparts to feed and secrete toxins that cause intense itching and inflamed, yellowish-brown crusts. Severe cases spread through the whole canal; the rabbit shakes its head and scratches constantly and, untreated, wastes and dies.

2 Prevention and Treatment

Prevention: Early control is key—don’t introduce stock from infected farms, and give all new rabbits preventive medication. Keep hutches dry and clean, and regularly disinfect cages and housing with flame treatment or 1% trichlorfon solution. Isolate any rabbit that falls ill.

Treatment options:

1. Apply a 1.2% trichlorfon alcohol solution to the lesions daily until cured.

2. Use a drug such as moxidectin per the label by injection or oral dose—ideal for severe cases with good results.

3. Prepare a 0.15% chlordimeform solution for a medicated bath or spray on the lesions.

4. Mix zinc, sulfur, and phosphorus into a 0.1% solution and apply to the lesions.

5. Apply coumaphos solution to the lesions.

Treatment principles:

1. Before applying medicine, remove the crusts; if stubborn, drop a little kerosene or diesel oil so they loosen and fall off on their own.

2. Disinfect the hutch, cage, and all rabbit equipment at the same time—every surface the rabbit touches.

3. Re-apply 7–10 days after the first treatment to kill newly hatched larvae.