• Major ectoparasites of rabbit include Cheyletiella parasitovorax, fleas, Notoedres cati, Psoroptes cuniculi, and Sarcoptes scabei. • Other ectoparasites include ticks, the fur mite Leporacarus gibbus (formerly Listorphorus gibbus), Cuterebra cuniculi, lice (Haemodipsus ventricosus), and fly larvae causing myiasis. • Parasites account for more than 80% of dermatologic diagnoses in exotic species; the most common diagnosis is unspecified mite infestation. • In the United Kingdom and Europe, P. cuniculi are the most frequent cause of otitis in rabbits and may be the most frequent cause of dermatologic disease. However, the prevalence of ectoparasites and dermatologic conditions varies by region (tropic/temperate zone), country, and season (e.g., S. scabei is frequent in tropical countries/regions). • Rabbits housed with other infected rabbits or with exposure to wild rabbits are at risk of infestation. • Rabbits housed with dogs or cats may be exposed to Ctenocephalides. • Pregnant does and kits may be more prone to severe rabbit flea infestation because ova of the flea mature only after the female feeds on a pregnant doe late in gestation. • Ectoparasites can be transmitted between rabbits. • Cheyletiellosis is a zoonosis that causes papular dermatitis in humans and may be transmittable to other species, including dogs and cats. • Rabbit fleas and lice are vectors for tularemia (see Tularemia, Sec. VI). They rarely bite humans but may bite dogs and cats. • Ticks are important vectors of zoonotic disease (e.g., Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, Lyme disease). Most ticks that feed on rabbits rarely bite humans. • Physical examination findings include scales and crusts, and alopecia. • P. cuniculi are associated with inflammation (hypersensitivity reaction to mite piercing skin to feed) and reddish-brown crusting of the external ear canal, head shaking, ear drooping, and pruritus; inflammation and crusting may be generalized in debilitated rabbits; severe infection can lead to eardrum perforation and neurologic signs. • C. parasitovorax may be subclinical but more often causes a scaly, dry, sometimes pruritic dermatitis with patchy alopecia or broken hairs over the dorsal neck, trunk, hind end, and abdomen. • S. scabei and Notoedres cati cause a crusty, pruritic dermatitis around the head, neck, and trunk. • Flea infestations may manifest as a dull coat, easily epilated hair, and patchy alopecia with pruritus, skin erythema, and crusting, especially on the pinnae and face. Flea droppings may be seen in the coat. • Lice infestations may cause weight loss, alopecia, pruritus and papule formation.
Ectoparasites
Basic Information
Definition
Special Species Considerations
Epidemiology
Risk Factors
Contagion and Zoonosis
Clinical Presentation
Physical Exam Findings
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Ectoparasites
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