Patch of missing fur on right side of face

[lardvark]

Hi guys!

First time poster on this forum seeking advice:

I discovered today that our one and a half year old bunny, Henrik Bunqvist, has a patch of missing fur on the right side of his face (see attached image). I found the fur on the floor by his litter box and the ends of the clumps are all matted together making them almost look like feathers. 
Obviously in panic mode, I scoured the internet for information and found that oftentimes mites are the cause of fur loss. However, I did not see any flakes of dandruff-like skin that apparently are indicative of mites. 
Something to note, Henrik drinks water with his head tilted and always gets this part of his face really wet afterwards. Could this be the cause of the matting/falling out? He’s been scratching that area a lot lately. 

Has this ever happened to anyone’s bunny before? I’ve already requested appointments at a local vet (we just moved 2 hours away from Henrik’s old vet) and am waiting on a response, but I want to make sure I’m not making a big deal out of nothing. Any help would be extremely appreciated. Thanks! 

[Inserted by Wick]

[Wick & Fable]

I’ve added the image for you. After uploading it, you need to then go to the attachment and insert it into your actual post. It’s not an intuitive step, sorry!

Constant moisture can definitely be a cause of fur loss.

This looks very much like what I go through with Wick on a regular basis. He loses fur on both sides of his mouth.

What’s important to think about is whether this moisture will lead to a fungal infection, like ringworm, which will be apparent with some crustiness and the patch growing larger and larger.

I would recommend silver sulfadiazine (the vet may recommend this as well). If it is fungal, that will treat it. If it’s not, it will still be a nice moisturizer so the skin doesn’t become irritated and bleed from being exposed to elements.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[lardvark]

Thanks Wick! 
The patch of skin isn’t really crusty at the moment, just dry. A little scabbing from what I assume to be Henrik’s vigorous scratching.
Do you have any recommended brands or links to purchase the silver sulfadiazine? Should I be purchasing a product specifically for pets? 

Thanks for your help, it’s definitely calmed my wife and me down a lot. 

[LBJ10]

It does resemble what you would see when an area is constantly wet. As long as it isn’t tooth or eye-related, then I wouldn’t be horribly worried. Does he currently have a bowl or a bottle? Could you try switching his water source to something else?

[Wick & Fable]

I have gotten the same kind from Wick’s old vet. It’s Ascend brand, Silver sulfadiazine cream, USP 1%. Blue container with a white cap.

This one exactly:
http://www.mountainside-medical.com/products/ascend-silver-sulfadiazine-cream-50-gram-jar
… But again, I got it through a vet.

If you do end up using it, make sure your rabbit doesn’t groom until about a minute after application so it sinks in like lotion. Rabbits will groom it off regardless, so minimize excess amount and ensure time for absorption.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

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