fungal infection?

Question
Me again. I am the one that wrote you about Prissy and the teeth problems. Well, I am not sure if that is under control. But things are better. Now I am having another problem that I wanted your opinion on.

Prissy is still slightly drooling, but again, it is a lot less than before. I notice her scratching at the corners of her mouth and around her eyes a lot. I also notice a slight loss of hair around the corners of her mouth. Also, there is some hair loss in front of both of her ears and around her eyes.

Do you think she could have a fungal infection? There is no redness, scaling, or crusting or rash.

Thanks for any info!
Dena

Answer
Dear Dena,

The locations of the little balding patches are consistent with an early case of mange, which is caused by parasitic mites.  Fungal infections in rabbits are quite uncommon, but mites are *really* common, and they usually manifest when a bunny is a bit stressed, as your bunny might be with her dental problems.  (I hope you'll still get her to a good vet for a molar filing if she's still drooling *at all*.  The pain of her mouth will predispose her to other ailments.)

Fortunately, mites are easily and safely treated with Revolution (selamectin) from your vet.  Read more here:

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

And find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

When you take her in for accurate diagnosis of the balding (this should be confirmed by a vet, and treated appropriately), you can also ask for a deep oral exam to get those teeth back to normal.  Please don't let that go.  The longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

Hope this helps.

Dana