Rabbit Scabies: Is It Transmissible to Humans?

Part 1: How is Rabbit Scabies Caused?

Rabbit scabies, a common external parasitic disease in rabbits, is caused by the infestation of mange mites. Initially, the disease often appears in areas with shorter or no fur on rabbits, such as the nose tip, around the eyes, and the paws. The affected areas become extremely itchy, prompting the rabbits to constantly bite or scratch at the spots. This can lead to the spread of infection and, in severe cases, to systemic infection. As the condition worsens, the affected areas may lose hair and develop thick, scablike crusts. The rabbits may lose their appetite due to the itching, leading to malnutrition, rapid weight loss, anemia, and ultimately, death from exhaustion. Moreover, rabbit scabies is highly contagious. If not treated promptly and properly, it can easily spread throughout the entire group. Therefore, it is crucial to isolate and treat affected rabbits immediately, and to clean and disinfect their environment and any items they have come into contact with to prevent transmission and minimize losses.

Part 2: How to Treat Rabbit Scabies

Commonly used medications for treating rabbit scabies include dipterex and ivermectin, which are generally effective.

Firstly, the owner should conduct a thorough examination of the affected rabbits to identify all infected individuals and isolate healthy rabbits. All affected areas should be identified and treated promptly.

To ensure the medication reaches the affected areas effectively, it is recommended to trim the fur around the lesions and up to 34 centimeters away. Then, wash the area with warm soapy water, remove any hard crusts and debris, and finally, wipe the area with 2% iodine tincture. To prevent the rabbits from licking the lesions and worsening the infection, an Elizabethan collar should be used during treatment.

Since the life cycle of mange mites is over 8 days, it is important to continue using insecticides like dipterex to treat the rabbits to kill any newly hatched larvae. This treatment should be done once a week.

While treating the affected rabbits, the owner should also focus on environmental disinfection. Spraying acaricides on the ground, walls, and utensils in the rabbitry, and thoroughly disinfecting the pens and utensils, is essential.

After implementing these preventive measures, the owner can also supplement the rabbits' diet with highfiber rabbit food and additional nutritional supplements to strengthen their immune system. This can help the rabbits recover faster from scabies. If the rabbits are not eating, the owner should find ways to encourage them to eat, alleviate their itching, and boost their appetite.

The introduction to rabbit scabies comes to an end. Lastly, a reminder to all owners: the occurrence of rabbit scabies is somewhat related to the breeding environment. Poor lighting and inadequate ventilation in the rabbitry can increase the likelihood of scabies. To reduce the risk of scabies, it is important to maintain good hygiene in the rabbitry, keep the pens and utensils clean, and ensure the environment is dry and wellventilated.