scabby face

Question
we are suspecting scabby face on our 2 1/2 year old female rabbit. She has what my daughter thought was a wet patch under her chin.Can this be cured?  

Answer
Dear Anne,

The scabby face and wet chin are probably not directly related.  However, drooling (the wet chin problem) is almost always due to undetected/undiagnosed molar problems, such as spurs (you can read more about this at www.bio.miami.edu/hare/dental.html), and these can actually cause the rabbit enough stress to result in immunosuppression.  This, in turn, can lead to the rabbit exhibiting symptoms from mites that are always present in small numbers, but usually kept in check when the rabbit is healthy.

A scabby face is usually due to mange mites (Sarcoptes sp.), though there are other types of mites that also can cause this.  You can read more, and see pictures of rabbits before and after treatment with selamectin (Revolution) here:

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

In short, I'd find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/care/vets.html

and ask him/her to check the bunny's molars and prescribe the appropriate medication (Revolution is by far the best!  DO NOT use Frontline!) for the scabby face problem.

Hope that helps.  Please write back if you have more questions.

Dana