Rabbits are disease resistant animals most of the time, especially if they live in houses or apartments, although this does not imply that they are immune to disease. This can happen if the care given to the rabbit is not optimal.
The rabbit is a silent and discreet animal, so detecting any ailment is often difficult. By nature, these small mammals tend to hide the discomfort they feel so as not to appear weak in the face of possible predators and, of course, this behavior is maintained even when they are in the safety of your home.
Mange is an infection that can become an epidemic if it is not detected early, so on our site we want to talk to you about mange in rabbits, its symptoms and treatment, so you can learn how to recognize this disease quickly and the best way to combat it.
Is mange a common disease in rabbits?
If they are found in cold climates, it is unusual for rabbits to get it. However, it can arise on farms or in wild animals, originating in burrows and in precarious hygiene conditions. On the other hand, in more temperate and humid climates, it is a very common disease, which can sometimes have consequences, not only for other rabbits, but also for dogs and cats around the sick animal.
Mange can affect rabbits of any age, and on many occasions the animal is very adept at hiding the symptoms of its discomfort, so it is necessary to be attentive to behavioral changes, since mange can lead a rabbit to death in just a few weeks
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How is mange spread in rabbits?
Usually, transmission occurs from one infected rabbit to another. Initially, the rabbit contracts it thanks to some mite, and contact with others of the same species favors the spread of the parasites.
The nymphs and larvae of the mite lodge in the skin, from where they jump from one rabbit to another. The male mites live on the surface, while the females open furrows in the dermis, where they will lay their eggs and where the larvae will grow. Each mite can live for a maximum of three weeks.
Direct contact with an infected rabbit is not the only way of contagion, this can also occur with parasites that are carried by the wind, by an infected environment of mites (the different types of this parasite are hardly visible to the human eye), and even by contact with a human who has been in a rabbit colony or farm where there is scabies.
Symptoms of mange in rabbits
Although rabbits are inconspicuous animals, a change in behavior can easily reveal that something is wrong with the animal's he alth. The lack of appetite, a negative change in the appearance of the coat or the desire to want to be isolated, indicate the appearance of some possible disease in your rabbit.
Now then, when it comes to mange, the specific symptoms will depend on the type of mange that your animal has contracted, which are determined by the different parasites that trigger the disease:
1. Sarcoptic mange
It is produced by the Scabei sarcoptes mite. The symptoms are:
- White crusts on eyes, ears, fingers, mouth and ears
- Foul odor in affected areas
- Itching, which causes the rabbit to scratch
- Hair loss
- The skin cracks, which can cause bleeding
two. Psoroptic or auricular mange
Affects the pinna of the ears, where the scabs are concentrated. It is possible to see the mite on the skin of the animal, called Psoroptes. Submit:
- Concern
- Itch
- Crusts
- Ear wax buildup
- Bad smell
- It can lead to otitis
It can spread to the outside of the ear, causing hair loss and more itching.
3. Notohedral mange
It is produced by the Notoedres cali and affects the head. The same symptoms are seen as with sarcoptic mange:
- Crusts
- Bad smell
- Hair loss
- Itch
4. Dermodectic mange
Generated by Demodex cuniculi, attacking the deepest layers of the skin, which results in:
- Thickening of the dermis
- Injuries to ears, neck and face
- Hair loss
5. Chorioptic mange
The culprit is the Chorioptes cuniculi mite, which also affects the ears but with a milder intensity.
The itching caused by these different types of mange causes the rabbit to constantly scratch the areas where it has the scabs, which encourages the appearance of other infections.
If the condition is ignored, the sores may open and worsen, suppurating pus and blood, which, together with the general malaise of the rabbit, it can cause anemia and later death.
Diagnosis and treatment of mange in rabbits
The way to diagnose what type of mange your rabbit is suffering from is to take it to a veterinarian, who will perform a skin scraping in order to determine the type of mite by observation through the microscope. If the parasitic infection is detected in time, the treatment for mange in rabbits is quick, in a few weeks.
Treatment usually has as main drug ivermectin, which is administered in subcutaneous injections according to the weight of the animal. The improvement begins to be noticed after a week of starting the scabies treatment. Your veterinarian will recommend the most suitable medication depending on the type of scabies and the extent of the disease.
Avoid "traditional" or word-of-mouth treatments at all costs. An example could be spraying the rabbit with kerosene to kill the mites, but in this case you will intoxicate the animal, putting its life in danger. As for possible home remedies, it is best to trust the recommendations of the specialist.
Pharmacological treatment must be accompanied by other care, for which it is necessary to maintain regular forms of hygiene to avoid reinfection and keep the animal he althy:
- Provide the rabbit with a good diet that allows it to be strong, as well as ventilated and clean spaces.
- Disinfect carpets, cushions, furniture and other places where mites could stay.
- Bathe the rabbit with mite shampoo to kill the parasite on the fur.
- Properly and periodically dispose of feces from cages and other spaces where the rabbit is.
- Disinfect and thoroughly clean your rabbit's cage and miscellaneous items.
- Removes the remains of hair, also from your brush.
- Keep affected rabbits away from he althy ones while healing is done.
With these tips you can not only identify and treat your rabbit's mange, but also prevent it.
