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Ear Mite Psoroptes cuniculi (Rabbit Ear Mite)
=Ear Mite (Psoroptes cuniculi)=
 
[[File:Earmite.jpeg|300px|thumb|right|Ear Mite in Rabbit]]
 
==Etiology==
Psoroptes cuniculi is a nonburrowing mite and the causative agent of psoroptic mange, also called ear mange, ear canker, or otoacariasis.[1]


==Etiology (cause)==
*Psoroptes cuniculi* is a non-burrowing mite and the causative agent of psoroptic mange, also called ear mange, ear canker, or otoacariasis. 
It feeds on skin exudates, producing intense irritation and secondary infection if untreated. [https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/psoroptes-cuniculi Source]


==Clinical Signs==
==Clinical Signs==
canker and lesions of the ear   
* Crusty canker and lesions of the ear canal  
 
* Excessive scratching, head shaking, or tilting 
==Epizootiology==
* Thick waxy exudate with foul odor 
life cycle
* Pain on palpation of ears 
 
* Severe cases: anorexia, weight loss, neurological signs due to secondary infection 


==Treatment, Prevention, and Control==
==Treatment, Prevention, and Control==
Oil or ivermectin alone are not always effective, but when used together treatment success is high. Oil suffocates mites, softens scabs, and soothes the skin, while ivermectin penetrates deeper once crusts are cleared.


Oil or ivermectin by themselves are not always effective for treating mites, but are very effective when used together in tandem. Oil suffocates the mites, softens the scabs and soothes the skin. clearing out the dense waxy scabby material allows for further penetration of ivermectin to more effectively treat the infestation.
* **Ear cleaning:** Soften canker with mineral, sweet, or olive oil. Do **not** scrape or forcibly remove crusts—allow them to detach naturally with gentle massage. Loose crusts can be wiped with cotton balls.
 
* **Topical treatment:** After clearing excess oil, apply 3 drops of 1% injectable ivermectin (swine/cattle formula) into the ear canal and seal lightly with a cotton ball. Repeat in both ears.
Several successful treatments have been reported. Prior to local treatment, the ears should be cleaned gently to remove accumulated exudate. One treatment involves the application of 3% rotenone in mineral oil (1:3) every 5 days for 30 days. Ivermectin is an effective treatment at dosages of 400–440 μg/kg SC or IM (Curtis et al., 1990; McKellar et al., 1992; Wright and Riner, 1985). [2]
* **Systemic treatment:** 
 
  - Ivermectin: 0.1–0.4 mg/kg SC injection, repeat in 14 days (Curtis et al., 1990; McKellar et al., 1992; Wright & Riner, 1985).
Ear mites can be treated in an off-label fashion with various parasiticides including ivermectin (Ivomec, Merck, AgVet Division, Rahway, NJ), 0.4 mg/kg SC q7-14d for three treatments), or selamectin (Revolution, Pfizer Animal Health, New York, NY), 6 or 18 mg/kg topically q4wk for 1-2 treatments) (see “Fleas,” below).† Imidacloprid and moxidectin (Advocate/Advantage Multi, Bayer, Agriculture Division, Shawnee Mission, KS) are also effective for ear mites when applied topically three times 30 days apart.18 Subcutaneous eprinomectin (200-300 μg/kg once) can be used for Psoroptes, but this treatment is not effective topically.Less effective treatments are topical mineral oil, acaricides, and flea powder.27,41 [3]
  - Selamectin (Revolution®): 6–18 mg/kg topically q4wk for 1–2 treatments.
 
  - Imidacloprid + moxidectin (Advocate®/Advantage Multi®): applied topically every 30 days ×3 treatments.
===To treat ear mites===
  - Eprinomectin: 200–300 μg/kg SC once. 
 
* **Rotenone/mineral oil mix (3% rotenone in oil 1:3)**: applied every 5 days for 30 days has been reported effective.
[[Media:https://youtu.be/yW63C_BmOuw]]
* Less effective: plain mineral oil, generic acaricides, or flea powders.


===Ivermectin dosage notes===
* Max safe dose: up to 0.4 mg/kg. 
* Avoid use in pregnant does—drug can affect conception and implantation. 
* 1% injectable (10 mg/mL): dilute 1:10 with propylene glycol (1 mg/mL final), then dose at 0.4 mg/kg. 
* Pour-on 3% solutions must be diluted 1:5 for safe topical dosing. 
* May also be given orally in diluted form. 


* First Soften the  canker with Mineral Oil, Sweet Oil, or Olive oil.
===Demonstration===
* Allow the oil to soften and detach the bulk of the crust.
[https://youtu.be/yW63C_BmOuw Video: treating rabbit ear mites]
**Never pull or scrape out the crust, always allow it to work out on it's own with gentile massaging and patting using almost no pressure.
*loose crusts will attach to a cotton ball as they come loose.
*Once the ear is clear of crusts, give a gentile wipe with cotton balls and q tips to remove excess oil.  
*After removing excessive oil, use 3 drops of 1% ivermectin swine/cattle injectable Ivermectin solution, administered Topically into the ear. 
**Place in 3 drops then seal with a cotton ball to prevent  it from flying out .
**repeat in the other ear.
*You can then  drop .5 cc  ivermectin topically on the back of the neck.


==Old Wives’ Tales and Dangerous Remedies==
Several harmful “home treatments” circulate online. These are **dangerous and should be avoided**:


* **WD-40** – irritant, contains white spirit (toxic to liver, kidney, CNS). [https://hero.epa.gov/hero/index.cfm/reference/details/reference_id/2800949 HERO Report] 
* **Apple cider vinegar & vegetable oil** – causes severe pain on raw tissue, does not kill mites. 
* **Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca)** – highly toxic to rabbits; absorbed through skin and potentially lethal. [https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.244.1.95 AVMA study] 
* **Eucalyptus Oil** – poisonous to rabbits, burns inflamed skin. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32318359/ PubMed source] 
* **Hydrogen Peroxide** – causes severe burning, pain shock, and has killed rabbits; inhumane and unnecessary. 


*[https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/psoroptes-cuniculi Biology and Diseases of RabbitsMegan H. Nowland DVM, BS, DACLAM, ... Howard G. Rush DVM, MS, DACLAM, in Laboratory Animal Medicine (Third Edition), 2015]  
==References==
**[https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/B9780124095274000109?token=DD76077F427AB1151870A718E5C06BF8DD659A1EED297CF29E4A260F08B9C03747109794F2CDDC1A497EB31C08937A01&originRegion=us-east-1&originCreation=20220102154434 full text]
* [https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/psoroptes-cuniculi Biology and Diseases of Rabbits. Nowland MH, Rush HG. In: Laboratory Animal Medicine, 3rd ed. 2015] [https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/B9780124095274000109?token=DD76077F427AB1151870A718E5C06BF8DD659A1EED297CF29E4A260F08B9C03747109794F2CDDC1A497EB31C08937A01&originRegion=us-east-1&originCreation=20220102154434 Full Text]
*[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978141606621700018X Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents Clinical Medicine and Surgery Book • Third Edition • 2012]
* [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978141606621700018X Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed. 2012] [https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9781416066217/ferrets-rabbits-and-rodents Full Text] 
**[https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9781416066217/ferrets-rabbits-and-rodents full text Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents Clinical Medicine and Surgery Book • Third Edition • 2012]
* Curtis R, et al. 1990; McKellar Q, et al. 1992; Wright & Riner 1985. 
* Carpenter JW. *Exotic Animal Formulary*, 4th ed.

Latest revision as of 00:23, 18 August 2025

Ear Mite (Psoroptes cuniculi)[edit | edit source]

Ear Mite in Rabbit

Etiology (cause)[edit | edit source]

  • Psoroptes cuniculi* is a non-burrowing mite and the causative agent of psoroptic mange, also called ear mange, ear canker, or otoacariasis.

It feeds on skin exudates, producing intense irritation and secondary infection if untreated. Source

Clinical Signs[edit | edit source]

  • Crusty canker and lesions of the ear canal
  • Excessive scratching, head shaking, or tilting
  • Thick waxy exudate with foul odor
  • Pain on palpation of ears
  • Severe cases: anorexia, weight loss, neurological signs due to secondary infection

Treatment, Prevention, and Control[edit | edit source]

Oil or ivermectin alone are not always effective, but when used together treatment success is high. Oil suffocates mites, softens scabs, and soothes the skin, while ivermectin penetrates deeper once crusts are cleared.

  • **Ear cleaning:** Soften canker with mineral, sweet, or olive oil. Do **not** scrape or forcibly remove crusts—allow them to detach naturally with gentle massage. Loose crusts can be wiped with cotton balls.
  • **Topical treatment:** After clearing excess oil, apply 3 drops of 1% injectable ivermectin (swine/cattle formula) into the ear canal and seal lightly with a cotton ball. Repeat in both ears.
  • **Systemic treatment:**
 - Ivermectin: 0.1–0.4 mg/kg SC injection, repeat in 14 days (Curtis et al., 1990; McKellar et al., 1992; Wright & Riner, 1985).  
 - Selamectin (Revolution®): 6–18 mg/kg topically q4wk for 1–2 treatments.  
 - Imidacloprid + moxidectin (Advocate®/Advantage Multi®): applied topically every 30 days ×3 treatments.  
 - Eprinomectin: 200–300 μg/kg SC once.
  • **Rotenone/mineral oil mix (3% rotenone in oil 1:3)**: applied every 5 days for 30 days has been reported effective.
  • Less effective: plain mineral oil, generic acaricides, or flea powders.

Ivermectin dosage notes[edit | edit source]

  • Max safe dose: up to 0.4 mg/kg.
  • Avoid use in pregnant does—drug can affect conception and implantation.
  • 1% injectable (10 mg/mL): dilute 1:10 with propylene glycol (1 mg/mL final), then dose at 0.4 mg/kg.
  • Pour-on 3% solutions must be diluted 1:5 for safe topical dosing.
  • May also be given orally in diluted form.

Demonstration[edit | edit source]

Video: treating rabbit ear mites

Old Wives’ Tales and Dangerous Remedies[edit | edit source]

Several harmful “home treatments” circulate online. These are **dangerous and should be avoided**:

  • **WD-40** – irritant, contains white spirit (toxic to liver, kidney, CNS). HERO Report
  • **Apple cider vinegar & vegetable oil** – causes severe pain on raw tissue, does not kill mites.
  • **Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca)** – highly toxic to rabbits; absorbed through skin and potentially lethal. AVMA study
  • **Eucalyptus Oil** – poisonous to rabbits, burns inflamed skin. PubMed source
  • **Hydrogen Peroxide** – causes severe burning, pain shock, and has killed rabbits; inhumane and unnecessary.

References[edit | edit source]

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