Large Flaky Layered growth Above Tail

Question
Our rabbit has developed a large (1 inch diameter x 1 inch tall) flaky mass above his tail at the base of his spine.  The skin at the base of the growth is red and irritated. I can't find any references online that would explain this.  I can touch it, but he won't let me try to comb it. It's attached to his skin, not his fur.  What on earth could this be and can I treat it at home?  Thank you for your advice.

Answer
Dear Rhonda,

This could be mites, as this is the most common location where they abide where the rabbit cannot easily reach them.  They usually don't cause lesions, but sometimes they do.  And the mites themselves may not always be easy to see.  Please see:

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

I would find a good rabbit vet:

www.rabbit.org/vets

and ask about Revolution, if mites are suspected.

Another possibility is that moisture is collecting there and causing skin irritation.  There are many different products a vet can prescribe that will kill bacteria and heal this wound.  So I'd get bun to a good rabbit vet and have this diagnosed and treated ASAP.

In the meantime, you can keep this clean and help to promote healing by gently washing  it twice a day with dilute povidone iodine solution (use clean gauze dipped in the solution) and drying it well afterwards with a blow dryer on warm/low (not hot!).  

Hope this helps.

Dana