Sarcoptic Mange in Bunnies

Rabbits can experience a wide range of illnesses.

Although rabbits are cute pets, they can experience a wide range of illnesses. Sarcoptic mange, more commonly known as scabies, is a zoonotic disease prevalent in cats and dogs as well as rabbits. It is a skin disease caused by mites that can be transmitted to humans. If you see signs of mange in your rabbit, it should be treated immediately because of mange's infectious nature.

Symptoms

Mange can start around the edges of the eyelids.

Patches of fur loss, shaking of the head and ears, weight loss, and itchy and crusty red skin are signs of sarcoptic mange. The condition usually begins around the borders of the ears, edges of the eyelids, nose, mouth, and toes. The crusty areas can produce a foul odor.

Cause

Poor living conditions can result in sarcoptic mange.

Sarcoptic mange is prevalent in crowded and filthy conditions such as in rabbit mills and pet shops. It is caused by the sarcoptic mange mite, a tiny, white oval arachnid with no eyes and small suckers that eat away its host's skin cells. The mite is too small to be seen with the naked human eye.

Control

All pet items including food bowls should be thoroughly cleaned.

If you own more than one pet, quarantine the affected rabbit by isolating it from the others until cured, for approximately three weeks. Do not allow sharing of toys, food bowls, playpens or other materials. Use hot water to thoroughly disinfect all areas and items the affected pet has contact with, to prevent disease transmission.

Treatment

A veterinarian can identify the sarcoptic mite under a microscope.

According to Dr. Dana Krempels from the Department of Biology at the University of Miami, if left untreated, the mange will spread all over the body, causing more crusty areas and even painful raw lesions. Treatment is simple and should be done immediately to prevent spreading the disease. Diagnosis involves scraping the infected skin and identifying the mites under the microscope. According to The Pet Center, sarcoptic mange is often misdiagnosed as allergic dermatitis. Cortisone should not be used to treat the mange. It may be prescribed to relieve the itchiness, but it encourages the mites to reproduce. Ivermectin is a chemical that effectively kills the mites and is harmless to your pet at the appropriate dose.

Prevention

Rabbits should be offered hay at all times.

Maintaining clean living spaces for your pet rabbit is essential to preventing diseases such as sarcoptic mange. Provide your rabbit with a nutritious diet high in fiber, with small amounts of greens to build its immune system.

References

• The Pet Center: Sarcoptic Mange and Mites
• University of Miami- Department of Biology: Fur Loss & Skin Problems in Rabbits
• Fairfax County Public Schools: Sarcoptic Mange Mite

Resources

• University of Nebraska- Lincoln: Mites & Ticks
• Pet Lovers Centre: Scabies (Sarcoptic Mange) In Rabbits
• Pet Care Tips: How You can keep your Pet Rabbit as Clean as Possible