Dermatitis?…Mites?

[jerseygirl]

Today I noticed some loose fur near Jerseys mouth among her whiskers. It’s coming out easily and she has flaky skin under it. She gets a wet mouth from the water crock so I’m wondering if this could be dermatitis? Or is this a typical spot to see furmite? She doesn’t appear to have patches like it elsewhere.
I’ve thought about using a barrier cream zinc base) there to see if it helps.
Any suggestions as to what it might be?

[Deleted User]

I just checked the HRS info concerning dermatitis and furmites. It didn’t say anything about being around the whiskers or mouth. So I’m not all together sure. Have you called into the vet’s office to see if this is something that they’ve heard of? I don’t see how it would hurt to ask them if nothing can be figured out on here.

[MimzMum]

I’ve noticed some matted fur around Pip’s mouth where she drinks from her crock, but nothing really coming off or any flaky skin. I don’t think that’s a usual place for mites. :-/
Is Jersey’s mouth area fur particularly long? Does it really drag in the crock?
Perhaps something to do with any veggies she may be eating?
Mimzy has a LOT of fur coming off his face right now, but I’m certain that’s from this constant shed he seems to be in. Also his rear nails are a bit long and I fear he’s really tearing himself up when he’s scratching his face. But he’s become very skittish and I can’t get him to hold still for a trim.

Has she had any oral medication lately that might have dribbled down her chin? Mimzy’s meclazine would go everywhere and his fur would turn green and fall out. He would get so cranky at dose time I used to call him “Your Blueness” (Yellow Submarine reference)
I hope you’ll be able to find out what’s caused it and get it sorted quickly. Not exactly something you want to have to ring the vet about, but it might be worth a try.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Vibes for Jersey))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

[jerseygirl]

Checking the area today I’m more convinced its mites. Where the loose fur was is now normal bald skin /no flakes but around the edges where fur is there is flaky skin. I also noticed one if her nail pads looking red. Was just reading about mange mite and this does effect these areas. I’ll have to inspect her toes more closely to see if there any more signs.

I purchased the treatment med from the vet back in November as I wanted to have it on hand.

Jersey & Rumball do go outdoors routinely so I suppose they more likely pick it up. I also removed a dead bird last week so I’m wondering if it was carrying mites or whatever killed it was carry them.

I’d hate to limit their time outside. They’ve always had it. Being 5 & 6 yrs old now & they have not continually picked up mites in all their ventures. But as they get older, could they become more susceptible do you think?

Skippers Mama, thanks for looking. I think I will call the vet to see if they’ll give me the green light to go ahead and treat for mite. Or if they think she should be seen.

MimzMum, her fur around the mouth is normal length. She’s just a slurper I think. The effected area is the upper lip I suppose you’d call it. Where all the whiskers are. It appears to just be on the one side.

[Sarita]

I think that rabbits who have a lower immune system definitely are more susceptible to mites since they cannot fight off the mites like a healthier rabbits.

[jerseygirl]

And older rabbits would have naturally lower immune system?
Not that I think these 2 are oldies just yet, but just something to think about down the track…

[Sarita]

I don’t know for sure if that is the case about aging – I think it’s a combination of things like age and dental problems perhaps in Jersey’s case that perhaps lower her immunity to the mites.

[jerseygirl]

Thanks Sarita. Good point about dental issues. Btw, she actually eats some hay now. After all this time!

[MimzMum]

The mite treatments aren’t so bad, I would say they’d still be able to venture out if the bugglees are kept in check.
Deffo would wonder about the bird. They can carry all sorts of nasty things.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Sorry to hear about this.

I didn’t think the chin was a common place for mites but you never know. Did you give her the treatment?

[jerseygirl]

Not as yet LPT. I used and antibiotic powder on it the other night that has chlorhexidine it it. Thought it might help if bacterial infection of some sort.
I do need to get a wriggle on with the ivermectin stuff though, seeing as this patch appeared so quickly.

With that bird, I didn’t let the rabbits out for several days afterwards but I really don’t know how long any parasites can hang around the environment.

[MimzMum]

I think if you disposed of the birds’ body there should be little chance there are still any critters around, but I’m not certain.
Mites need a warm food source to survive from what I’ve read. I don’t know about things like eggs and larvae though.

How did the chlorhex do?

[jerseygirl]

I’ve been lax on updating.

The patch hasn’t gotten any bigger and the flaky skin is gone. Her nail beds all seem healthy also. So I’ve held off on giving ivermectin for the time being.

Perhaps it was a skin irritation after all.

[LittlePuffyTail]

[MimzMum]

Aww…good to hear!
Give her a cuddle from me.

[Author]

Messages