Skin sores

[ashley]

I took Thumper to the vet today because he's been developing skin sores around his head and back of his neck, the last two days. The skin is raw and a bit scabbed over. They took drew a sample for testing because they don't know what it may be. Worst case senerio, they said we may have to test for lympahtic cancer. Anyone have any insight to this?

Thanks

 

[JimD]

Hi ashley,

It sounds like it could be fur mites.
If it is, it's not life threatening and can be easy treated by the vet.

Does your vet treat rabbits on a regular basis?

~Jim

 

[pamnock]

Fungal infections can develop around the head. As Jim mentioned fur mites are also a possibility.



Pam

 

[ashley]

The vet is an exotic specialist and sees tons of rabbits. It's comforting having someone like that. They are giving him antibiotics for a week while they do the test sample smear,in hopes that the sores will go away. If that doesn't work then the next step is to do blood testing for cancer. The doctor doesn't believe it's fur mites or fleas....ugh. Can you see fur mites? How would I know if it's a fungal infection?

I'm hoping for the best. I'm going to be a total worry wort til the test results come back.

-Ashley

 

[pamnock]

Most fungal infections glow under a special light.

Fur mites are not visible with the naked eye - it's also difficult to harvest one and find it under the microscope. They are often attached to fur shafts, so are generally not found in fur scrapings unless heavily infested.



Pam

 

[ashley]

Thanks for all of your help!

How would I (or the vet) know if he has fur mites and how do I treat them if he does?

-Ashley

 

[Haley]

When Max and Basil had mites, the vet couldnt see it with a microscope, but he thought thats what it was so we treated it just in case. It went away after a few weeks of treating them and the environment.

Can you show us a pic? That might help. Poor Thumper

 

[ashley]

Here's some pics of a couple of the sores. (i hope they work!) I actually just found a flea on him by one of his cuts! good and bad...maybe he was just scratching alot. There have been no sign of fleas in my house until just now. I put some advantage on him. I'm hoping i'm just paranoid and all he had was fleas!

He's a trooper...he's got one eye, sores all over, a half shaved face,full of meds, and fleas...and he's still playing and giving tons of kisses! He's such a happy bunny!

Thanks again - Ashley

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

Are you just using Advantage for now or combining it with something else like an ointment for skin irriation? Maybe you should to keep those areas hydrated?:dunno:

 

[ashley]

I just gave him the advantage. The vet didn't seem concerned with using an ointment, but put Thump on Baytril for a week because when i saw the vet yesterday he had no signs of fleas. The two things may or may not be connected.What should I apply to keep the area hydrated? He's never had fleas before and never had cuts before so this is all very new for me!

 

[JimD]

Maybe a little Neosporin would help promote some healing and/or keep the areas hydrated.

 

[pamnock]

From the photos, it does appear to be a mite or flea infestation.

Pam

 

[ashley]

Thanks for all your help!! I found yet another flea on him this morning... Poor baby! I bought some treatment for the carpets. Do you know if BioSpot is safe for Thumper to clean the carpets/furniture?

-Ashley

 

[Haley]

I dont know about that brand, but I used a flea/mite carpet powder for dogs/cats when Max and Basil had mites.Just make sure to get him out of the room while youre doing it (and until it airs out) that stuff can be very bad to breathe.

Poor Thumper (and poor you!) I know how gross it is to have those nasty things in your home.

 

[ashley]

I'm going to take Thumper and my cat out of the apartment this weekend and do a big clean with flea powder and such. I feel like I have fleas...but I think it's just sympathy itch for Thumper I felt so bad leaving him for work this morning!