Skin Issues in Rabbits

Normal Shedding

• Most pet owners are unaware that rabbits cast hair. Wild rabbits shed twice a year, while domestic ones molt based on their living and environmental conditions. You will notice a "tide mark" if you blow into the fur. The skin happens to be darker where new fur grows. In some fluffy rabbits, you may also see bald patches during the molting process, but this is quite normal. However, there are cases where the shedding may occur due to skin problems.

Alopecia

• Symptoms like vomiting, fatigue, changes in appetite or weight and hair loss without any lesions indicate alopecia. There are many causes for this. Fur-plucking or chewing leading to alopecia can occur due to nutrition-deficiency pregnancy, pseudopregnancy arthritis, obesity, hormonal problems and inflammation. The nape of the neck, dewlap, belly and leg regions are usually affected. However, the hair usually grows back within a couple of months after treatment, unless the skin is severely damaged.

Mites

• Mites are at times difficult to detect. Cheyletiella parasitivorax results in patchy fur loss with flaking along the rabbit's back. Fur mites cause clumps of hair to fall off. The hair will have coarse flakes of skin attached to it. Psoroptes cuniculi produces red-brown crusts in the ear canal causing the rabbit to frequently shake its head or scratch its ears. Consult a vet for appropriate treatment. There are medications to get rid of the mites. In addition, cleaning the rabbit's cage and bedding will prevent re-infestation.

Fleas

• Fleas cause shedding, redness, small encrustations and itching. Make sure that you treat the rabbit and its environment. Consult a vet for topical medication and insecticidal spray. When using insecticidal sprays in the rabbit's cage and pen, remove the rabbit from the vicinity until the spray dries up completely. House Rabbit Society recommends avoiding flea baths, as there are reports of deaths and shocks after using the dips and baths. Dips and baths tend to result in shock, chill, overheating or liver problems. If using a flea dip, monitor the rabbit carefully for signs of depression, weakness or shock. If you notice symptoms, rush your pet to the vet.

Pododermatitis

• Rabbits housed in wire cages or wet, rough or hard surfaces may suffer from fur loss at the bottom of their feet, a condition known as pododermatitis. Provide soft, absorbent resting linen, clean the underside of the foot and apply a padded wrap for a couple of weeks to facilitate hair growth. However, if the pododermatitis is severe, the cure may be difficult and long drawn. If the infection has penetrated the bone, amputation may be necessary.

Ringworm

• Rabbits are also prone to fungal infections, which can cause skin problems. One of the most common is ringworm, which is characterized by hair loss, crusting, scaling and bald spots along with the formation of lesions. Ringworm usually develops on the head, ears and face.

Rabbit Syphilis

• Spirochete can cause crusty dermatitis around the rabbit's genitals and nose. However, if the infection is severe, the dermatitis can extend to the face and around the eyes. The bacterium causing the syphilis in rabbits is resistant to most drugs, but can be treated effectively with injections of penicillin. However, the rabbit may be susceptible to intestinal problems during the treatment period.

Lumps, Bumps and Skin Cancer

• Lumps and bumps on rabbits are not always malignant and could be due to formation or warts, non-malignant fatty tumors or abscesses. Usually, an abscess is removed through a minor surgical procedure. Warts are caused due to the papilloma virus. This does not mean that a lump or bump may not be cancerous. Though rabbits rarely get skin cancer, it can occur due to metastasis of cancer from another site, especially uterine cancer. So, any unusual growth or lump should be carefully monitored. It is best to consult a vet to rule out skin cancer.

Other Causes

• When constantly exposed to moisture, the skin of a rabbit can turn bald, get inflamed and red and may show signs of crusting. If the rabbit is infected by a bacterium known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, it results in a wet dermatitis where the fur takes on a bluish tinge. Usually, constant sources of moisture include damp litter, leaking water bottle, over-grooming and the rabbit's own body fluids. Identify the source of moisture and eliminate to start the cure. Clean and apply prescribed medication on the affected region every day.