mysterious bald patches

Hi all

All three of my bunnies seem to be stuck in moult, mostly round their hind quarters, and when you pull the easy to come out fur there is no re-growth underneath and its leaving bald patches.

There is no sign of dandruff (apart from one bunny who has head tilt and is being treated for EC) or itchiness from them, but I guess I cant rule out mites but they never come into contact with any other bunnies. What do you think this could be?

ps they are all being treated for E-C at the moment with panacur, the bunny showing possible signs has a very slight head tilt and the vet thinks that the wax in one ear in more pronounced than the other and the veins in the ear are quite red, he also has a tiny bit of dandruff on this ear. (also having baytril and loxicom (metacam)

Mia said:

Hi all

All three of my bunnies seem to be stuck in moult, mostly round their hind quarters, and when you pull the easy to come out fur there is no re-growth underneath and its leaving bald patches.

There is no sign of dandruff (apart from one bunny who has head tilt and is being treated for EC) or itchiness from them, but I guess I cant rule out mites but they never come into contact with any other bunnies. What do you think this could be?

ps they are all being treated for E-C at the moment with panacur, the bunny showing possible signs has a very slight head tilt and the vet thinks that the wax in one ear in more pronounced than the other and the veins in the ear are quite red, he also has a tiny bit of dandruff on this ear. (also having baytril and loxicom (metacam)

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It could be mites - Cheyletiella mites. Most buns carry them anyway even if perfectly healthy, at levels not to cause probs. When buns get sick or run down with another illness their immunity is suppressed and they groom less (one way they control the normal mite population) and so the mites can breed out of control and cause fur loss and 'walking dandruff'. With one bun sick it could be a possibility, or it could be moult, it's hard to tell. I would have your vet do some skin scrapes and have a look under the microscope. Some mite treatment (Ivermectin) may be suggested by your vet anyway. If your bun's ear is red and waxy and he has a head tilt, I wonder if he has an inner ear infection? It may not be EC? I don't know the best antibiotics for middle ear infections? Baytril may not be specific enough? It could of course be EC and an infection or one or the other. I would have a chat to your vet.
Ear mites are another possibility - Canker. I hope your heat tilt bun feels better soon.

thanks for the reply, yes I am beginning to wonder if it is indeed EC, judging by the slight dandruff and the inflamed veins. Middle ear infection I know plenty about as my bunny Scampi has just got through a terrible bout of it (yes they are all getting poorly at mo, thank goodness for insurance)

Miffy is showing more signs that it could be EC though as he has almost completely lost his litter training now and more or less pees where he sits, he also insists on licking his wee up if its done in the house or on patio. Dunno, will be keeping an eye on him and if any doubts will take him straight back to vets

Mia said:

thanks for the reply, yes I am beginning to wonder if it is indeed EC, judging by the slight dandruff and the inflamed veins. Middle ear infection I know plenty about as my bunny Scampi has just got through a terrible bout of it (yes they are all getting poorly at mo, thank goodness for insurance)

Miffy is showing more signs that it could be EC though as he has almost completely lost his litter training now and more or less pees where he sits, he also insists on licking his wee up if its done in the house or on patio. Dunno, will be keeping an eye on him and if any doubts will take him straight back to vets

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He could have a UTI? Or bladder sludge/stones? Just a thought.

no he has had that already! its now diet controlled