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Ear Mite Psoroptes cuniculi (Rabbit Ear Mite)[[File:Earmite.jpeg|300px|thumb|right|Ear Mite in Rabbit]]
=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 
 
* Thick waxy exudate with foul odor 
==Epizootiology==
* Pain on palpation of ears 
life cycle
* 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.   
 
  - 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.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/psoroptes-cuniculi
* Less effective: plain mineral oil, generic acaricides, or flea powders.
 
 
===Ivermectin dosage and uses ===
*max dose up to 0.4mk/kg*
*Avoid using on Pregnant does, and  do not breed for at least 7 days after dosing as ivermectin will effect conception and implantation.
 
*SC dose may also be given topically**
0.1-0.2 mg/kg SC(injected), repeat in 14 days Ear mites,
James Carpenter: exotic animal formulary 4th edition
 
 
*Ivermectin Dosage(injectable formula) Topically or Orally
up to 0.4mk/kg "The 1% is 10mg/ml. undiluted, it would be 0.072 ml.
Dilute it 1/10 to make it 1mg/ ml, so then a dose volume of 0.72 ml which is much easier and safer to draw up and dispense."
Diluted with propylene glycol can also be given orally
From Dr. D: Exotic Veterinarian
 
 
*For the pour on (3%) (Topical use ONLY)
Dilute 1/5 and the dose would be the same. Again 1mg/ ml. Dilution" dose stays the same 0.4mg/kg
 
===To treat ear mites===
 
https://youtu.be/yW63C_BmOuw
 
 
* First Soften the  canker with Mineral Oil, Sweet Oil, or Olive oil.
* Allow the oil to soften and detach the bulk of the crust.
**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  diluted  ivermectin topically on the back of the neck.
( dilute 3% ivermectin as 5 drops,  in 1 cc alcohol for topical behind the neck dosage for furmite, or you can alternatively dilute 5 drops per .5cc mineral oil mix well and apply to the earmite, a larger amount of fluid will penetrate deeper)
 
== Old Wives Tales and DANGERIOUS Home remedies === 
 
===WD-40:===
 
*"squirt WD-40 in the ears"
First off it will burn as it's an irritant and secondly it is poisonous.
 
That main ingrdiant of WD-40 is  White spirit (stoddard solvent) :
  In rabbits loss of appetite and hypoactivity followed a single dermal exposure of 2000-3000 mg/kg, and death occurred in 1 out of 16 exposed animals. In skin irritation tests white spirit was determined to be a slight to moderate
irritant. In short- and long-term toxicity studies on white spirit, the central nervous system (CNS), respiratory system, liver and kidney were generally found to be the target of white spirit toxicity.  
[https://hero.epa.gov/hero/index.cfm/reference/details/reference_id/2800949 HERO ID: 2800949  Technical Report :  White spirit (stoddard solvent) Year:1996 Report Number:RISKLINE/1997060007 Volume:187 Issue:1996]
 
 
 
===apple cider vinegar and vegetable oil===
*"every few days for a coupes weeks. The vinegar helped the crusty stuff to de-fuse and easier to fall out and the oil helped drown out the mites. We used syringes and just squirt it in their ears."
 
This will BURN raw infected and damaged skin. and it will not kill mites , ACV has some great uses in rabbits, this is not one of them .
 
===Tea Tree Oil(Melaleuca oil)===
while this works , the dosing for rabbits is extremely precise and it must be diluted correctly in a proper carrier oil or you will risk poisoning your rabbit. Tea tree oil is highly toxic to rabbits, and it takes only a small amount of this substance to induce toxicosis. all oil bases are different so you need to know the the potency of  the oil before you can dilute it. Vets do not recommend using tea tree oil solutions to kill ear mites.  Essential oils can be absorbed through the skin and introduced into the bloodstream. Even if the rabbit doesn’t lick up the oil while grooming itself, it can still absorb a lethal amount through its skin.
 
Tea tree oil cleaning solutions may be used to wash down the hutch, enclosure, and toys to prevent reinfection. Diluted home remedies and commercial antifungal cleaning products are safe to use for any initial cleans if the rabbit is kept elsewhere for a few days.
 
Symptoms of Essential Oil Toxicity
In the event that you use essential oils in some form on your rabbit, or even just in your home, it is vital to know the symptoms of essential oil toxicity. Signs include:
 
*Tremors
*Excessive salivation or drooling
*Depression
*Lethargy
*Ataxia (a lack of control and coordination of the body)
*Paresis (weakness of the muscles and partial paralysis)
*Loss of consciousness
*Coma
 
The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association stated that clinical signs of toxicity develop within a 2-12 hour window of exposure to or ingestion of tea tree oil. They also note that 100% of the tea tree oil poisoning cases in this study had some level of toxicity.
 
Concentrated tea tree oil toxicosis in dogs and cats: 443 cases (2002–2012)
Safdar A. Khan DVM, PhD, Mary Kay McLeanMS, and Margaret R. Slater DVM, PhD
View More
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.244.1.95
Volume/Issue: Volume 244: Issue 1
Online Publication Date: 01 Jan 2014
https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/244/1/javma.244.1.95.xml
 
 
Safety Assessment of Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/Tea%20Tree_0.pdf
 
Safety Data Sheet acc. to OSHA HCS (29CFR 1910.1200) and WHMIS 2015 Regulations
https://www.nowfoods.com/sites/default/files/7470-tea-tree-organic-oil.pdf
 
 
R I S K P R O F I L E Tea tree oil – TTO
C A S N o . 8 5 0 8 5 - 4 8 - 9 , 6 8 6 4 7 - 7 3 - 4 , a n d 8 0 2 2 - 7 2 - 8
Date of reporting 10.08.2012
https://www.mattilsynet.no/kosmetikk/stoffer_i_kosmetikk/risk_profile_template_tto.11320/binary/Risk%20Profile%20Template%20TTO
 
 
https://www.drugfuture.com/chemdata/Tea-Tree-Oil.html
"Toxicity data: LD50 orally in rats: 1.9-2.6 ml/kg; dermally in rabbits: 5.0 g/kg (Halcón)"
 
=== Eucalyptus Oil===
*"I always thought this was caused from getting water in their ears. We used to use eucalyptus oil. They would scream like hell for a few seconds but it would clear it up."
*"I like to drop Eucalyptus oil directly in the ear. oh yeah , they SCREAM a bit at first.. then it clears it right up."
 
Eucalyptus oil is Poisonous to rabbits, it will also BURN the raw skin that has been irritated by the mites.  
[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32318359/ Evaluation the Effects of Eucalyptus Essential Oil and Hypertonic Saline as Scolicidal Agents in Induction of Sclerosing Cholangitis in Rabbits]


=== Hydrogen Peroxide ===
===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. 


*"Peroxide in ears everyday until clear always works for me"
===Demonstration===
*"Peroxide works too"
[https://youtu.be/yW63C_BmOuw Video: treating rabbit ear mites]
*"Ear mites .Hydrogen Peroxide poured in infected ears"


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


This will BURN, the sudden shock from the pain has killed a few rabbits, it is unnessicarry and cruel.
* **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.


== referances==
==References==
*[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]  
* [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://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, 3rd ed. 2012] [https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9781416066217/ferrets-rabbits-and-rodents Full Text] 
*[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978141606621700018X 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. 
**[https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9781416066217/ferrets-rabbits-and-rodents full text Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents Clinical Medicine and Surgery Book • Third Edition • 2012]
* 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]

Retrieved from "https://mmcrabbits.com/BCWiki/index.php?title=Ear_mites&oldid=46605"