Persistent scabby nose

Question
QUESTION: I volunteer at an animal shelter giving the rabbits exercise and socialization. On 10 November, someone brought in an abandoned rabbit. She had big crusty scabs starting just above her nose and going up the bridge as far as the level of the eyeline. The shelter vet tested her for ringworm - negative. I asked if she could have bot fly larvae; the vet says it isn't that either. Old scabs come off and new ones appear, but they haven't spread. The vet says she can't figure out what it is.  Do you have any suggestions she could test for?

ANSWER: Dear Sue,

Without seeing the bunny, it's hard for me to guess.  (If you can send a picture, I'll be better able to help.)  It could be mange, which is easily treated with Revolution (selamectin) or ivermectin (not as good as Revolution).  Please see:

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

Or it could be clinical signs of rabbit syphilis (Treponema cuniculi).  The latter is also easily treated with five days of injectable Penicillin-G Procaine (NO oral penicillins of any type are safe for rabbits!  Only Pen-G is safe, and only if injected).

Rabbit syphilis is NOT contagious to humans, but it is transmissible to other rabbits.  Until the bunny has been treated, she should not be in physical contact with other rabbits.

Hope this helps.

Dana

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QUESTION: I'll try to get a photo when I'm in next week.  Thank you. - Sue

ANSWER: Dear Sue,

Okay, I'll be waiting!  :)

Dana

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Jessie One   QUESTION: Attached is a photo of Jessie.  She looks much better than she did before.  The vet gave her an antibiotic and now some pink skin shows where there had only been scabs and weeping pits.  Any other advice you have is most welcome.

Answer
Dear Sue,

This does look like a healing syphilis lesion.  Was the antibiotic injectable Penicillin-G Procaine?  This is one of only a few antibiotics effective against Treponema cuniculi.  I hope no oral penicillins were used, as those can be fatal to rabbits!

Glad bunny is getting better, though!

Dana