rabbit feet infection

Question
i have had lots of rabbits and have never seen this.  my rabbit has, it looks like, some sort of infection on the nail beds of her feet.  they are red, crusty and some are swollen.  i don't know what to do.  it is different from sore hocks. any ideas?

Answer
Dear Ingrid,

This sounds much more like the beginnings of mange than sore hocks.  Please go to:

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

for "before" and "after" pictures of bunnies with mange, who were treated with ivermectin. A newer, better drug, selamectin, is now available from your vet (brand name Revolution).  Please get some of this ASAP, before the condition spreads (which it will, without treatment).

DO NOT use Frontline, which can be deadly to rabbits.

Dana