8/19/2019 1. Common Mites of Your Rabbit and Small Animal Part I Fur Mites

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Fur mites, or “walking dandruff,” affect mainly rabbits,but also guinea pigs, hedgehogs, rodents, cats, and dogs. Although an uncommon host for the mite, these mitescan also be transmitted to humans. The mites are non-burrowing skin parasites. On close observation of aninfested pet, movement of the dandruff is visible causedby the mites moving underneath the scales. There aredifferent species of fur mites that cross over and infestall pets and others that are specific to certain animals.

 Types of Mites There are three common species of Cheyletiella mitesthat affect cats, dogs, and rabbits. They are Cheyletiellayasguri, C. blakei, and C. parasitivorax. They are typicallyfound on dogs, cats, and rabbits, respectively. Althougheach is more specific to a particular species, all threehave the potential to cross over to other host species.

 A mite common only to laboratory colonies of guineapigs is Chrodiscoides cavaie, also known as “static lice.” These mites firmly attach to the hindquarters and the“lice” are actually eggs.

 These mites are non-burrowing, living in the fur(pelage), and feed off of the keratin layer of the skin.Pale yellow to white, the mites cause skin irritation,usually along the back of the animal, caused by adigesting enzyme excreted by the mite. This enzymepartially dissolves the skin, letting the mite eat thedissolved skin and causes the irritation to the animal.

 The signs and treatment for all Cheyletiella mites andstatic lice are the same, so identifying the species is nrelevant. These mites can also infest humans but areconsidered transient because they cannot complete thlife cycle on humans.

 TransmissionDirect contact with an infested animal is the mostcommon way to pick up mites. Since the mites canalso survive off a host for a few days to weeks in theenvironment, they can also be picked up throughcontact with bedding, toys, grooming equipment orother objects carrying the mites.

Life Cycle The life cycle of mites is about three weeks and takesplace entirely on one host. A female adult mite will laeggs on the host animal. The eggs hatch into larvae,developing into nymphs, and then into adults.

 An adult mite is very small, ranging from 0.3 mm to

mm, with eight legs. Feeding off of the keratin layer othe skin and in order to digest the skin, the mites secan enzyme that actually dissolves a small part of theskin. This is what causes the itchy, hair loss, scabs, andiscomfort.

Common Mites of Your Rabbit andSmall Animal Part I: Fur Mites

Fact Sheet FS11

Deborah L. Cole, County 4-H Agent  Jeannette Rea-Keywood, County 4-H Agent  Mary Ann Metz, 4-H Program Assistant 

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Phone: 848.932.5

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8/19/2019 1. Common Mites of Your Rabbit and Small Animal Part I Fur Mites

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Signs and Symptoms Visual signs include chronic dandruff, “walkingdandruff,” chronic scratching of the hindquarters, napeof neck, and along the back, sores or scabs in the sameareas, and hair loss. Microscopic diagnosis of the mitesor eggs recovered by a skin scraping, combing, or acetate

tape can positively identify an infestation. Affected skinmay be slightly reddened, oily, hairless, and have scalypatches on the head, shoulders, and back. In rabbits,C. parasitivorax might not cause signs or it can result inloose hair pulled out in clumps. Hedgehogs have beenknown to lose quills.

C. cavaie may cause little signs or cause scratching,redness, hair loss, and flaking in guinea pigs. Arough hair coat and even skin ulcers can result fromcontinuous grooming.

 TreatmentMites are transmitted by direct contact with the host,animal bedding, or hair and debris. Therefore, it isimportant to clean and treat the environment whiletreating the animal. Treat any animals in contact withthe infested animal even if they are not showing anysigns.

 Thoroughly clean and treat the areas where your petsleeps and roams. This includes bedding, carpets, sofas,chairs and cushions, and stuffed toys. Make sure to vacuum carpets and cushions before treating to increase

penetration of the dust or powder. Steam cleaning andshampooing is not recommended as this could create thetype of conditions they prefer. Prior to any application,read and follow all directions making sure the product issafe for rabbits, cavies, or other small animals.

Common recommended pesticides include limesulfur dips, ivermectin or selamectin, permethrins,pyrethroids, and phenylpyrazoles . Phenylpyrazoles andpermethrins should not be used for rabbits or cavies. Always consult with your veterinarian before beginningany treatment.

 Apply dusts and liquid topical treatments near theshoulder blades, back of neck, and on the rump. Prioany application, read and follow all directions makinsure the product is safe for rabbits, cavies, or other smanimals. In unresponsive cases, injections of ivermecare often used. In all cases, treatment will need to be

repeated two to three times varying from five days tothree weeks depending on the pesticides used. The amites are killed during the first treatment, but eggs thremain in the fur or the environment will hatch and larvae will grow and lead to a new infection cycle. Thfollow up treatments will kill the later ones. The best practice is prevention of an infestation throuconsistently clean bedding, pens and cages, hand- washing, and not sharing grooming equipment, toysbedding, regular grooming, and frequent health chec

ReferencesJeromin, Alice. (2008, May). Cheyletiella mites:Population on the move. DVM In Focus, 20-24.

Krempels, D., Ph. D. (2008). Fur loss and skin problein rabbits: Common causes and treatments [on-line]. Available: bio.miami.edu/hare/furloss.html#furmite

Percy, D.E. and Barthold, S.W. (2001). Pathology ofLaboratory Rodents and Rabbits (2nd edition). AmesIowa: Iowa State University Press.

 Van Pragg, E., Maurer, A., and Saarony, T. (2010). SkiDiseases of Rabbits (First edition). MediRabbit.com

 White, SD; Bourdeau, PJ; Meredith, A. (2003).Dermatologic problems in guinea pigs. CompendiumContinuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian(9), 690-697.

For a comprehensive list of our publications visit www.njaes.rutgers.edu May 2013Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and County Boards of Chosen Freeholders. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the

Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.

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Phone: 848.932.5

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