Rabbit Skin Problem

Question
Hi there,
Some time ago you asnwered a question about a five month old boy rabbit with "a strange rustling noise and a strange touch under his skin". My Harlequin Fergus is also five months, he has had six absesses on his skin from being bullied by his older brother Freddy recently but he is better now, was taken to a vet and kept in his own run and on antibiotics. He is still awaiting the all clear for his vaccinations and has not yet been nuetered. I have taken him to the vet frequently and he is going again tomorrow beacsue tonight I went down to check on them and when i picked up Fergus noticed he also had a tsrange rustling under his skin. It is only on the lower half of his backa nd is audible to the ear. He feels no irrataion from it and I have checked over his absess sites and there is no swelling or thickening under the skin, they have all healed well and have no scabs. He is eating, drinking and pooping normally. Eating hay, grass, pellets and fresh fruit/veges but no new introductions in diet recently. He is a bit of a runt and has always been small, but recemtly has had a bit of a growth spurt and can easily out-eat his seven month old big brother. He is a very alert little critter and not particularly sleepy or lazy - jumps and moves around a lot. Am basically wondering if you have any new information regarding this strange crckling under the skin? Also thought it helpful to note that the same thing is hapenning on my bunny who is also a five month old male and wonder if it could be something related to the bunny-puberty-period of 4-7 months.
My bunny will be seeing a vet for this in the morning. Oh also, his skin has nothing weird visibly on it. Hes still young and is a Harlequin with not terribly thick fur so its quite easy to see it. His gums are also a normal colour, and he is being affectionate and cuddly as usual (except to older brother).

Am wondering if it is puberty, stress, breed, allergy or illness related? I am in New ZEaland and we only have two diseases that bunnies need vaccinating against, neither of which are carried by mosiquitos although i have noticed mosquitos around the run since both boys were small.

Would really appreciatte any advice you can give :-).

Answer
Hi,

well, you certainly have been keeping an eye on your boys, and the details you are keeping track of is great.  They all sound like they are doing well under your care.

In general, a strange touch unde the skin can be anything that feels strange or unexpected, or out of place.  That's kind of why you notice the abscess pockets on you one particular little guy.  The rabbits' skin is so thin and very fragileto begin with.  It could be a whole bunch of things that give it that effect of rustling.  He may be a little under-hydrated, making the skin less resilient and more dry, for example.  I know that twice a year, when we shift from cold to hot in the spring, I have to watch my guys more carefully that they drink more.  Perhaps the antibiotics are a factor.  As you say, perhaps hormones during this certain period come into play.  Possibly it could be something genetic in the line of the rabbits you have.  If you are living in a climate that is very dry right now, that can have an impact (MY skin dries out in the winter in certain patches) - dry air can dry your skin out.  Medicines they were/are on may possibly cause changes in skin.  And because he and the others eat grass, I can't rule out they've eaten something that is affecting their skin - anytime they eat things you haven't washed and cleaned and free of parasites and such, that's always a consideration.  Not a slam, just stating a fact.

The fact there is no abnormal behavior is puzzling but good, because they are healthy and eating and drinking normally per your observations.  Whatever it is is not making them ill or appearing to injure them.  Their skin is probably not dried out, as you don't see flakes or any evidence of dried out or cracked skin.  They would be itching it because dried skin generally itches, cracks and bleeds from scratching.  It would also possibly be evidence of an infestation of fleas/mites.  

My suggestion is to really get into a discussion with your vet about the skin issue.  Check the known side-effects for any meds they are on or have been on that is a common thread among them all.  The same genes could be a factor, making them prone to this type of skin issue.  

Let me know along the way if you and your vet are able to learn more.  Thanks, Lee