Common Rabbit Skin Diseases & Prevention Tips Prevent

Part 1: Common Skin Diseases in Rabbits

1. Ulcerative Pododermatitis in Rabbits

Rabbits suffering from ulcerative pododermatitis often exhibit inflammation in their paw pads and toes, ranging from mild to severe. In advanced stages, the affected rabbits may develop hardened swellings on their paw pads, leading to pus and bleeding. This condition is primarily caused by uneven and low rabbit cages, as well as damp environments. Treatment options include: 1. Desensitization and Antipruritic Therapy: Administering corticosteroids such as prednisone (1 mg/kg body weight) via intramuscular injection or orally to the affected rabbits. 2. Apply erythromycin ointment to the affected areas and cover them with a rubber bandage. Additionally, give the rabbits intramuscular penicillin injections.

2. Rabbit Scabies

Also known as mange, rabbit scabies is a parasitic disease that primarily affects the rabbit's skin. The disease is caused by external parasites and presents with symptoms like severe itching, hair loss, inflammation, and scab formation. Scabies can spread easily through contact, and mild cases may lead to weight loss in the affected rabbits. Severe cases can impact the rabbits' reproductive performance and even lead to death. Prevention measures include: 1. Eliminate mites completely by administering 0.4ml of Mitaban subcutaneously to each rabbit every six months, followed by a second injection one week later. Treatment: Administering ivermectin subcutaneously to the affected rabbits every 10 days for three doses. Topical treatment with Mite Clear should be applied once a week for two consecutive weeks.

3. Fungal Skin Diseases in Rabbits

Fungal skin diseases in rabbits are highly contagious and can affect both humans and animals. These diseases primarily affect the rabbit's fur, usually on adult rabbits, while young rabbits may show symptoms around the mouth, nose, eyes, and abdomen. Affected rabbits may experience increased dandruff, scabbing, hair loss, itching, and folliculitis. Severe cases can lead to malnutrition, growth delays, reduced feed conversion rates, and negatively impact the quality and yield of rabbit fur, as well as the rabbits' overall productivity, causing significant economic damage. Treatment options include: 1. Apply clotrimazole solution or cream to the affected areas three times a day until the rabbit recovers. 2. Use 6% benzoic acid or 510% copper sulfate solution to treat the affected areas until the rabbit recovers. 3. Apply dermatitis iodine tincture to the affected areas once a day for 23 consecutive days. However, discontinuing the medication may lead to recurrence, making it difficult to completely eradicate the disease. Prevention measures: 1. Administer Skin康 to pregnant does and weaned kits to control the disease. 2. Feed the rabbit herd with griseofulvin, adding 400800mg per kilogram of feed, and administer it for 15 consecutive days, then discontinue for 15 days, and repeat the process for another 15 days to achieve good control.

Prevention Methods for Rabbit Skin Diseases:

To prevent rabbit skin diseases, it is crucial to strengthen the management of introductions and daily hygiene in rabbit pens. Avoid introducing pathogens during the breeding process. Isolate introduced rabbits for a period to ensure they are free of pathogens before integrating them with the flock. Maintain clean and disinfected rabbit pens regularly.

That concludes Dr. Oxygen Pet's introduction to common skin diseases in rabbits. We hope this information has been helpful!