Ivermectin
Ivermectin uses and doses in Rabbits
Ivermectin is used topically to treat ear and fur mites
Fur mites can be treated with a .5 cc drop of the pour on ivermectin behind the neck of a 10lb rabbit. and redoes 7 days latter see exact dosing by your rabbits weight below.
Ear mites can be treated with topical application of 3 drops the injectable ivermectin in each ear of a 10lb. The injectable ivermectin is preferred for use in the ear becuse after they are cleaned with olive oil the skin is raw and the injectable ivermectin is easier on the rabbit, the pour on has an alcohol carrier base and will stink the already raw ears . See exact dosing by your rabbits weight below.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2329086/ J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1990 Apr 1;196(7):1139-40. Use of ivermectin for treatment of ear mite infestation in rabbits S K Curtis 1, R Housley, D L Brooks PMID: 2329086
Drug class:
Ivermectin is a semi-synthetic antiparasitic medication derived from avermectins, a class of highly-active broad-spectrum antiparasitic agents isolated from the fermentation products of Streptomyces avermitilis.8 Ivermectin itself is a mixture of two avermectins, comprising roughly 90% 5-O-demethyl-22,23-dihydroavermectin A1a (22,23-dihydroavermectin B1a) and 10% 5-O-demethyl-25-de(1-methylpropyl)-22,23-dihydro-25-(1-methylethyl)avermectin A1a (22,23-dihydroavermectin B1b).8 https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00602
Dose:
- max dose up to 0.4mk/kg*
- 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
Indications:
Fur mites, ear mites
Side Effects
Pathological studies on effects of ivermectin on male and female rabbits March 2017Benha Veterinary Medical Journal 32(1):104-112 DOI:10.21608/bvmj.2017.31162
" We concluded that ivermectin has adverse effect on male rabbits that received either therapeutic or double therapeutic doses that varied from mild degenerative changes to complete necrosis of spermatogenic cells with complete absence of sperms. Meanwhile, female genital system was severely affected that showing severe degeneration and hemorrhage in uterus as well as atritic follicles and degenerated ova in ovaries. So, caution must be considered for ivermectin administration especially during breeding season and for pregnant females"
During Pregnancy or Nursing
Avoid during pregnancy, can cause Spontaneous abortion, and reabsorption of kits before term. Safe to give to does after day 29 of pregnancy's, right after birth, and while nursing..
IVERMECTIN CAN NOT BE USED IN PREGNATE OR ABOUT TO BE BRED RABBITS .
Upper limit for dosing Ivermectin safely in pregnant animal is below .2mg/kg which is way below the therapeutic treatment dosage used for ear mites in rabbits .
Now my personal horror stories for not knowing better .
First time did not make the corrolation found earmites in 2 of 10 bred does, did a herd treatment .
2-4 days latter Indy miscarried she had never even missed before , then Fred, aborted , then 3 litters didn't materialize , and the rest had small liters, or DOA kits .
Because Ivermectin has a delayed reaction I didn't correlate.
The second time I did a herd treatment as I was breeding, 15 does bred , 9 did not take, 4 had unusually small litters .1 had deformed kits.
We will not use Ivermectin in pregnant does for treating ear mites . All forms of ivermectin are not safe to dose in pregnant does or ones you want bred. . Our treatment cut off is no less then 7days prior to breeding . And not until after they kindle. During pregnancy olive oil , sweet oil , can be used to control outbreak. Or other treatments .
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notes
Ivermectin is an off label drug for rabbits so their is not an offical statement which is Why i am going to shout this. High risk of complications when used during pregnancy . If you can abort the litter or have to to treat mites fine . But if someone can not.lose the litter and has other options they need to be aware that it has a high probability of causing an abortion or birth defects. The conclusion of the literature review was done to see whether it was safe for HUMANS which is why it stated , many adverse effect is mice and rabbit. But determined it was safe for pregnant HUMAN use at the lower dosage . Because multiple studies do in fact say to avoid in pregnant rabbits . As well as my veterinary consult, and multiple.other breeders who found out the hard way.
Pathological studies on effects of ivermectin on male and female rabbits March 2017 Benha Veterinary Medical Journal 32(1):104-112 DOI:10.21608/bvmj.2017.31162
