Should I be concerned?

[user 37350]

Hi, my rabbit has a hard white spot on his back, and when I brushed him, little white flakes came out. It’s only in one spot, near the end of his back nowhere else, I checked.

I took two photos one with flash and one without in case someone can't see it. I actually don't know how long it's been there he has white fur, so it blends in well and he wasn't in pain when I brushed or touch it nor was did, he act different. Haven't taken him outside in since easter or changed anything. I will probably deep clean and move him out of his area after this post to see if that's the cause of it all. But I can't think of what it could be and if it's something I need to act on.

I don't expect anyone to know I just want to get an idea of what it could be is all and if someone has had this happen before and what I could possibly do that's all Thank you.

 

[JBun]

If it's not just a scab from a healing wound (which it doesn't appear to be) or something that got spilled on your rabbit and dried, the most likely cause of crusty or dandruffy skin in rabbits is from fur mites or mange mites. Fungal dermatitis is another possibility. Though this looks more like mange mites to me, which will cause thick white crusts on the skin and fur loss, where fur mites usually just causes dandruffy skin and fur loss. Your rabbit is likely to also start having itchiness and some excessive scratching. Though it's not spread too much yet, there might not be too much itchiness at this point.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Mites1

https://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Parasitic/Mange/Sarcoptes.htm

https://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Parasitic/furmite/fur_mite.htm

There isn't really an over the counter treatment to use in the US for rabbits, without having some knowledge of rabbit medication and dosing. The best thing would be to have your rabbit checked by a knowledgeable rabbit vet, who can diagnose the skin condition and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Choosing_a_rabbit_veterinarian

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Category:United_States

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Veterinary_emergencies

The usual rabbit safe treatment for mites is ivermectin every 2 weeks for 3 treatments (0.4mg/kg), Revolution (or other spot on topical containing selamectin, 18mg/kg dose), and occasionally an antiparasitic with moxidectin might be used. My preference is for selamectin (Revolution, etc), as it's usually very effective and a bit safer than the others, and usually only one dose, maybe two, is needed. Some rabbits can be sensitive to negative reactions to ivermectin, and moxidectin needs much more precise dosing to not risk an OD (though really all need that as well, as an OD on any would be harmful).

I share all this because some vets aren't very knowledgeable about rabbits. It's important to find a knowledgeable rabbit vet whenever possible. But if there isn't one you can get to, or you aren't sure if your vet is experienced with rabbits, it's important to know the usual rabbit safe treatments and the ones that are dangerous. Spray products with permethrin aren't used as they can sometimes result in a dangerous reaction if too much is applied. And Fipronil should NEVER BE USED, as it can be fatal to rabbits.

These are just some of the things rabbit owners have to be aware of when dealing with health issues and medications. Some meds used for cats and dogs, aren't safe for rabbits, and inexperienced vets may not know this.

You will also likely need to clean your rabbits environment, get rid of any disposable bedding like the litter and hay, and launder other things. Also check your hay to make sure it's not contaminated with mites. Straw especially can sometimes have this happen with. Also keep in mind that any cleaning product used, needs to be safe for rabbits. Your vet should be able to advise you.

With all that, there are other possibilities besides mites, but these still require seeing a vet, and may be more serious, as to the cause. Sebaceous adenitis is one possibility, and this is often caused by thymoma. But this isn't common and is more likely to happen in older rabbits.

https://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Immune/Adenitis.htm