Dermatologic problems of rabbits

Skin diseases may be the most common cause for a rabbit's owner to seek veterinary advice. Skin diseases are also very common in laboratory rabbits. Most skin conditions are due to a wide variety of pathogens, including parasites (the most frequent), fungi, bacteria, and viruses. In addition, noninfectious diseases of domestic rabbits are being increasingly reported. This report organizes the discussion of rabbit skin disease based on the predominance of 1 of 4 clinical signs: pruritus, scaling/crusting, alopecia with minimal pruritus, and nodules; miscellaneous conditions are discussed at the end of the article. Although a number of these diseases may present with variable or multiple clinical signs, it is frequently helpful to approach skin disease in the rabbit from the perspective of the most likely differential diagnosis.