Special Species Dermatology Flashcards
What is the approach to diagnosing skin disease in a special species?
Observe animal in its container first whilst taking history and then perform a full clinical examination
What types of skin diseases can affect exotics?
Ectoparasites, bacterial/fungal/viral, neoplastic, hormonal, nutritional, behavioural and those due to husbandry practices
When are zoonoses likely to be a risk in exotics?
Handling of small furies especially by children
Cleaning out of tanks/equipment of reptiles and fish
Wide dispersal of pathogens in faeces of birds
What husbandry considerations should be taken into account with rabbits?
May not like being picked up
Natural diet is fibre rich
Physiological normal behaviours include coprophagy of caecotrophs, barbering, nesting behaviour using own hair, patchy alopecia during moult
What key points need to be remembered with rabbits?
Always include a dental examination
Frontline is contraindicated and can result in death
Pain relief is important in many cases
What ectoparasite infections do rabbits suffer from?
Cheyletiellosis - scaling, crusting, pruritis, erythema, alopecia mainly on dorsum
Leporacarus gibbus - fur mite
Psoroptes cuniculi
What is the treatment for ectoparasite infections of rabbits?
Ivermectin at 300-400ug/kg SC weekly for 3 weeks
Selamectin/imidacloprid
Treat environment
Don’t remove crusts caused by ear mites as painful
What bacterial skin infections do rabbits contract?
Facial dermatitis due to dental disease
Perineal due to no coprophagia/urine contamination
Facial abscesses typically Pasteurella multocida
Pododermatitis (bumble foot) often Staph aureus caused by obesity and caging
How are bacterial skin infections treated in rabbits?
Antibiotics but beta-lactams contraindicated and generally use Baytril
What are the characteristics of dermatophytosis in rabbits?
Similar to other small mammals
Scaling, round areas of alopecia, broken off hairs, erythema, crusting, pruritis
Typically starts on dorsal nose, ears and paws
What is the therapy for dermatophytosis in rabbits?
Eniconazole dip twice weekly
Itraconazole 5mg/kg orally
Clean environment with bleach
How does myxomatosis affect the skin of rabbits?
Less virulent strains and vaccinated animals get nodules, erythematous plaques +/- ulcerations
What is the therapy for myxomatosis affecting the skin of rabbits?
Supportive and flea prophylaxis
What is the pathogenesis of myasis in rabbits?
Fly eggs around perineum leads to maggots within hours especially in outdoor rabbits in summer with weak, old, obese, long-haired animals predisposed
What is the therapy for myasis in rabbits?
Clip, clean, flush
Fluids, ivermectin, antibiotics, analgesia
