Rabbit Medicine and Surgery Q&A 18

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A two-year-old neutered female rabbit presents with some skin scale and mild alopecia over the dorsal interscapular region. The owner is unsure whether the rabbit is pruritic or not. A cellotape impression is examined by microscopy. Eggs are found attached to the hairs, and a single mite is found.

Question	Answer		Article
What condition is seen in this rabbit?	Plantar pododermatitis (‘sore hocks’), a chronic, ulcerative, granulomatous dermatitis of the plantar surface of the metatarsals. It is sometimes also seen on the volar surface of the metacarpals. Dermatitis of the plantar skin becomes ulcerated and secondarily infected with Staphylococcus aureus or other bacteria. The infection can progress into the underlying tissue and may result in osteomyelitis and septicaemia.		[[|Link to Article]]
List the predisposing factors to the development of this condition	Obesity; inactivity; dirty wet bedding; grid flooring/rough flooring; frequent thumping and bruising of the foot; breed (Rex breeds predisposed as no guard hairs).		[[|Link to Article]]
How would you treat it?	The lesions should be debrided and cleaned with antiseptic solution. Topical and/or systemic antibiosis (preferably based on culture and sensitivity) should be instigated. NSAIDs such as carprofen or meloxicam should be given. If the lesions are deep, radiography should be undertaken to assess if osteomyelitis is present. Dressings may be applied to protect the area; they are well tolerated by some rabbits but rapidly chewed off by others. In this case an Elizabethan collar may be appropriate but this may be poorly tolerated and will prevent caecotrophy. The rabbit should be housed on soft dry bedding such as synthetic sheepskin and predisposing husbandry issues must be addressed. Resolution may be difficult to achieve and the prognosis is guarded if osteomyelitis is present.		[[|Link to Article]]