Strange Skin Problem

Mad Bunster · Jun 23, 2008

Hiya

I'd noticed a while back that Maddie had a couple of scabs on her back - just above the tail - but her and Nibbles had a bit of an arguement a while back so assumed they were bite scabs from that. But they're not really healing at all and I've now noticed they're not scabs, but lumps of flakey skin.

On closer inspection (and a few bites later, ouch) there is this band about 2 inches up from her tail is covered in a continuous hard mass of dry skin. Theres no fur loss and infact the fur seems to be part of the scab/skin mass and its just awful!!

I've taken her to the vets who have given her an Ivermectin injection for mites and taken a skin sample for analysis, but are a bit confused. Just waiting for the results now, but has anyone any ideas what this could be? It doesn't seem to bother her, except its obviously sore when I try to look at it.

At the moment i'm washing it in Hibiscrub on the vets advice but she's not liking that at all and I'm not sure if it being wetted is the right thing?

Can anyone help??!!
Thanks everyone

Sooz · Jun 23, 2008

It does sound like mites to me, they often look like dandruff (dry flakey or powdery skin) and are most commonly found along the spine.

I usually give a good wash once (if the Ivermectin has been delivered via injection) and then brush the area once a day to remove debris. Mostly it clears up after 2-3 Ivermec injections.

It is contagious though so dont use the brush on anybun else and take care when handling your rabbits. Keeping bedding scupulously clean also minimises the risk of reinfestation.

SarahP · Jun 23, 2008

I'm definitely not an expert, but I wonder about ringworm? :?

Sooz · Jun 23, 2008

SarahP said:
I'm definitely not an expert, but I wonder about ringworm? :?

Nearly always occurs with hairloss, its one of the defining features.

Mad Bunster · Jun 23, 2008

I'd agree about Mites and the dandruffy skin, but this is like a solid scab - would that still be a typical symptom of mites? I'd liken it possibly to Cradlecap in babies?

What would Ringworm look like? I'll go google it!

Mad Bunster · Jun 23, 2008

Sooz said:
Nearly always occurs with hairloss, its one of the defining features.

Yep, theres no hair loss at all - if anything its more matted than usual.

mrs munkee · Jun 23, 2008

just out of interest, i was grooming minstrel this morning and she's got a few bald patches where she tends to mat pretty badly. anyway, i noticed the skin on her back looked rather flakey..... could this be mites?:?

Sooz · Jun 23, 2008

mrs munkee said:
just out of interest, i was grooming minstrel this morning and she's got a few bald patches where she tends to mat pretty badly. anyway, i noticed the skin on her back looked rather flakey..... could this be mites?:?

It could be as the flaking can cause the fur to matt but she is longhaired isn't she? If so the matts can pull on the skin making it sore, flakey and pulling the fur away form the follicle eventually.

Ringworm looks like a small circular patch of missing fur with raised circular bumps arranged in a circle along with a dry surface. Could the scabs be from scratching?

mrs munkee · Jun 23, 2008

i'll keep an eye on her and check cadbury over too.

sorry for hijacking your thread, mad bunster

Strange Skin Problem

Mad Bunster

Mama Doe

Sooz

Wise Old Thumper

SarahP

Wise Old Thumper

Sooz

Wise Old Thumper

Mad Bunster

Mama Doe

Mad Bunster

Mama Doe

mrs munkee

Mama Doe

Sooz

Wise Old Thumper

mrs munkee

Mama Doe

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