Staphylococcosis – Rabbit

Neonatal pet rabbits sometimes develop pustular dermatitis on the ventral abdomen and inside the hind legs. This can lead to fatal septicaemia. Treatment involves the improvement of hygiene and the use of topical and systemic antibiotics (avoid synthetic penicillins). Great care must be taken at weaning to ensure that seeding of the lower gastro-intestinal tract with autochtonous flora is not impeded.