Rabbits get sick more often than other animals. Often the cause of ailments that end in the death of an animal are parasites. One of the most common is the ear mite, which causes psoroptes (ear scabies) in rabbits. This disease is quite dangerous and also infectious for other individuals. Consider what constitutes a lesion of the ear mite, as well as what to do when this parasite is detected in the rabbit ear.
What is dangerous ear mite for rabbits
The ear mite Psoroptes cuniculi is a fairly small animal of yellow color, the body is oval. Size reaches 0.8 mm. In contact with the skin and making moves in the epithelium causes itching and irritation. It feeds on blood and lymph, while defecating under the skin, it is his discharge and lead to the appearance of inflammation. 
Mite Psoroptes cuniculi As a result of the mite's vital activity under the skin of an animal, the following complications can appear:
- weakening of immunity;
- weight loss;
- hormonal imbalance;
- development of brain tumors;
- damage to the nervous system and various tissues.
Common diseases of the rabbit include encephalosis, conjunctivitis, eye diseases, pasteurellosis, and scabies.
If the first complications can still be overcome, then as a result of the latter the onset of the death of the animal is inevitable. 
What makes an ear tick in rabbits
Most often, outbreaks of the disease occur in the autumn and winter periods. The rate of spread depends on the humidity level of the room, the number of animals, improper feeding, and many other factors. Ways of infection can be the following:
- Rabbits are infected from the mother.
- The parasite remained on the host's clothing or inventory, which was in the cage of the sick animal.
- Particles of the epithelium or fur after the sick animal was scratched.
It will probably be useful for you to learn how to remove fleas and lichen in rabbits.
How manifest
After infection, for about 4 days, the animal does not bother. Then the first symptoms begin to appear:
- excited behavior;
- frequent scratching of the ears;
- changes in auricles;
- rejection of feed and water;
- fever;
- unnatural position of the ears.
Refusal of food, as one of the symptoms of infection with an ear mite. If you notice at least some of these symptoms, it is important to conduct a more detailed examination of the auricle. The presence of the parasite in the ear will be indicated by the following findings:- brown spots or bubbles;
- purulent discharge;
- crusts are greyish brown;
- viscous mass with an unpleasant odor in the ear canal.
We recommend to consider the types of diseases in ornamental rabbits and methods of their treatment, as well as find out the diseases of rabbits that are dangerous to humans.
Diagnostics
In order to accurately determine the presence of the parasite in the body of the rabbit, it is necessary to make a scraping in the inner side of the ear and carry out analyzes.
This can be done with the help of laboratory research, in which the collected discharge is examined by a doctor under a microscope. 
We determine the parasite with a microscope. There is another way that you can spend at home on your own. For the diagnosis you will need:
- petrolatum;
- sharp instrument;
- a piece of glass;
- magnifying glass.
Did you know? Ticks that enter the environment with pieces of epithelium or crusts can survive for about 21 days in suitable conditions without an animal.
Vaseline is heated to a temperature of +40 ° C. In it for a short period of time they place what was separated from the problem area in the ear. Then the substance is spread on glass and examined under a magnifying device. The presence of ticks will be indicated by movement in the substance. 
How and what to treat
As with most other problems, this can be dealt with both with the help of medical preparations and with popular folk methods for a long time.
Preparations
Today, the treatment of ear mites can be performed using the following drugs:
Important! To soften the crust used glycerin and iodine in the amount of 4: 1. The components are mixed, the mixture is applied to a cotton pad and moisten the scab. Such manipulations are carried out 2 times a day.
Spray. The most popular form for the use of drugs. It is recommended to treat the affected areas 2 times. The interval between use is 2 weeks. The aerosol is shaken and, keeping at a distance of more than 10 cm, sprayed over the entire surface of the ear. The following drugs can be used to treat ear mites:
- Cyodrin;
- Psoroptol;
- Acrodex;
- Dermatozol.
Injection drugs. It is possible to overcome the disease with the help of injections, which are made at the base of the ear. It is possible to carry out such manipulations at the first stage of the defeat by the parasite, when the state is not too neglected. It is recommended to use the following drugs:- Ivomek;
- Ivermectin;
- Selamectin.
Rabbit breeders should read about how to use Gamavit, Baytril, Dietrim, Rabbiwak V and Amprolium for rabbits.
Drops and emulsions. These preparations process the entire affected surface. To avoid relapse, the procedure is repeated after 6 days. To do this, take one of the following means:
- Dekta;
- Butox 50;
- Valekson.
Folk remedies
If you do not see a veterinarian, you can resort to treating an ear mite with traditional medicine. The disadvantage of this treatment is its duration and regularity of use.
To get rid of ticks, the affected area is treated with a special solution, which is made on the basis of various oil agents, and, as is well known, after treatment with such a means of the place where the tick is located, air stops flowing to it and it dies. The following substances have therapeutic properties:
- creolin;
- turpentine;
- kerosene;
- camphor oil;
- Birch tar;
- vegetable oil.
Before using folk remedies, the auricle is cleaned of everything superfluous. Treatment is carried out for about 8 days in a row.Important! Make sure that the funds used for the treatment of the ear mite do not enter the ear canal. This may harm the animal.
Preventive measures
The appearance of the ear mite can be prevented if you closely monitor pets. In addition, you need:
- Regularly inspect and clean the ears of rabbits.
- Immediately after identifying the sick rabbit, it must be isolated. After contact with a sick animal, you need to completely change and wash your hands.
- In the cells, 3 times a year, deep disinfection and replacement of all feeders and drinkers is carried out.
- Cells are cleaned daily 2 times a day.
- The food must be fresh, with full amount of vitamins and minerals.
- Purchased individuals must be in quarantine at first.
- Rabbits should not be in contact with dogs, cats or rats, all of these animals are carriers of ticks.
Proper feeding, which contains a sufficient amount of essential nutrients, is the prevention of ear mites in rabbits. Learn how to feed rabbits at home.
As you can see, you can fight with an ear mite, the main thing is to do everything on time. Give the animals the maximum amount of attention, and then they will always be healthy and no parasites will be afraid of them.
