Bald Patches

Question
Hi Dana,

As stated in the subject line, my rabbit has been developing bald patches on his body, particularly on his rump, for several months now. For the most part the skin looks clear but sometimes it looks dry and flaky. He is a neutered male mini lop, about 1.5 years old, and lives alone in an indoor cage. I've noticed that he grooms himself frequently, but besides that his behavior seems normal (he's active and eats like a horse. I live in Northern Colorado, so could the dry cold air be doing this, or some other factor?

I have taken him to the vet for fungal culture and mites and he came back negative on both accounts. I'm taking him back to the vet this Friday, anything I should know to tell him?

Thank you for your help!
Kellie Ringueberg

Answer
Dear Kellie,

There are many reasons for abnormal fur loss in rabbits, and mites is usually the top culprit.  Even if you can't see them, they can be there.  If the skin is flaky and fur loss is concentrated around the rump and back (areas he can't easily reach when grooming), then I usually suspect fur mites (Cheyletiella parasitivorax).  These are notoriously hard to find, but they cause the problems, nonetheless.  To rule out mites, I would ask about getting some topical Revolution (selamectin) to try and see if it helps.  Fur mites can take longer to resolve than mange mites, but they usually succumb to Revolution.

Please see:

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/furloss.html

for some additional ideas.

One (fortunately rare) possibility is an auto-immune condition known as sebaceous adenitis.  This can start with bald patches that area somewhat raw and swollen when they are scratched to remove scaley "dandruff" on top.  I hope it's not that, and let's go on the assumption that it's not.  If so, though, a whole new array of treatment options will have to be explored.

I hope this helps get you started, and that it's something as simple as mites that are just too hard to see and find (very common!).

Dana