My rabbit grooms himself when scratched. Is it a health issue?

That is not necessarily a sign related to any skin disease or parasite infestation. Rabbits grooms themselves normally and spend long time doing that during the day. If you think the grooming is excessive, and some skin lesions are noticed, a check up would be needed.

Thanks for reaching out about Thumper and including a photo. Rabbits are meticulous groomers but mites are often microscopic. If scabs are observed, a veterinary visit is recommended for diagnostics. Good luck.

Hello, thank you for using Pet Coach. If she has no spots of hair loss/baldness and the skin looks normal then this may be normal behavior for her. That being said, she could have a skin parasite or allergies too. It is impossible for me to diagnose her over the internet. I suggest you get Cookie to a vet for an exam if this behavior persists or you start noticing bald spots or skin issues. Best wishes.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I can see the areas you described, they appear somewhat red and crusty with hair loss. This can be caused by overgrooming (can be from lack of enrichment), a skin infection (bacterial or fungal), and certain skin mites. I recommend gently clipping the fur with an electric clipper to keep it clean and improve your ability to monitor it. You can also apply some silver sulfadiazene (SSD) ointment to the area. If there is no improvement over several days, then your bunny should be seen by a vet to determine the cause. I would also separate her from any other rabbits she may be housed with as fungal infections and skin mites are contagious. I hope this helps!

Thanks for your question about Poe, and thank you for the photos - they are very helpful. This photo looks like an appropriate amount of hair for a rabbit to shed, but most people don’t see it because rabbits are so good at grooming. Usually when it is seen, it indicates that the rabbit isn’t grooming appropriately, which may be the case for Poe too. I would recommend a veterinary visit for Poe, and would recommend considering radiographs (x-rays) and blood work. At his age he may have the start of arthritis or another disease that may affect his mobility or the way he feels. I hope that this gives you a place to start, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

If the wound will not heal or grows larger, then she should be physically examined by your veterinarian. A fungal culture would be needed to diagnose ringworm infection. If you see her licking or chewing, use an e-collar. Keep her nails trimmed to prevent trauma from excessive scratching. You can clean the area with a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution daily. Dry thoroughly afterwards.

Hi there. Some possibilities of what may be causing Opie's symptoms would be: 1. Fur mites (microscopic so you will not see them) 2. Lice 3. Fleas 4. Ear mites 5. allergies 6. ringworm 7. bacterial skin infection Many of these things look similar grossly. It is impossible for me to know for sure what it is. I suggest you get Opie to your vet for an exam so you can get him the best treatment depending on what the underlying cause of his symptoms are. Hope this helps. Best wishes.