Skin Problems in Rabbits

Rabbits suffer from a variety of skin conditions, but most are easy to treat. Common places you will notice skin problems include around the mouth, on the ears and across the shoulders, but problems can occur anywhere. Keep your rabbit hutch clean and feed him a balanced diet to keep his skin in top shape.

  1. Fur Mites

    • Fur mites cause mild itching. Mites are almost invisible, but you will see flaky skin that looks like dandruff. Fur mite populations can increase and cause hair loss.

    Fleas

    • Fleas cause more intense itching and they are visible to the eye. Look for small, brown insects crawling around on the skin. It's usually easiest to see them on the belly of your rabbit. Do not apply dog or cat flea products to your rabbit!

    Mange

    • Mange causes intense itching. These burrowing parasites are very difficult to detect, but treatments are available. Your veterinarian will do a skin scraping to diagnose mange.

    Ear Canker

    • Caused by a parasitic mite, ear canker is a very painful condition that affects the ears. This condition is easily treated and should be addressed quickly because it causes great discomfort.

    Ringworm

    • Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes itching and patchy hair loss. The skin will look irritated and red. Ringworm is contagious; handle your rabbit with rubber gloves until the condition clears.

    Saliva Burn

    • Your rabbit can lose the fur around his mouth if his teeth are not properly maintained. Dental problems will cause your rabbit to drool, leading to a condition known as saliva burn. Contact an experienced small-animal vet to remedy her dental problems.