Rabbits > Dermatitis > Flashcards

Dermatitis Flashcards

(53 cards)

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1
Q

What are some predisposing factors for skin disease?

A
  1. No conspecifics to groom them
  2. Dental disease
  3. Arthritis
  4. Obesity
  5. Rhinitis
  6. Neurologic Disease
  7. Inappropriate housing
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2
Q

What are some diagnostic aids for diagnosing skin disease?

A
  1. Acetate Tape Prep
  2. Microscopy - Mites, Barbering, Ringworm spores
  3. Deep skin scrape (sarcoptes and demodex)
  4. Impression smear
  5. Culture
  6. Bx
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3
Q

Discuss the molting cycle of rabbits.

A

Newborn rabbits develop guard hairs and an undercoat quickly. These shed and are followed by an intermediate coat at 5-6 weeks. Adult fur comes in around 4-5 months old. Rabbits have two large molt events per year.

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4
Q

What factors affect molting?

A
  1. Hormones
  2. Diet
  3. Environment
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5
Q

Define barbering.

A

Chewing the hair to short stubble.

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6
Q

Is thin or missing hair at the neck nape concerning?

A

No, this can be natural for some rabbits.

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7
Q

What amino acids are important for hair growth?

A

Lysine and methionine.

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8
Q

What is one of the most important components for a dermatitis treatment plan?

A

Pain management.

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9
Q

What medications are more likely to cause skin reactions?

A
  1. Carprofen
  2. Enrofloxacin
  3. Adjuvanted vaccines
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10
Q

Why is P. multocida commonly implicated in dermatitis?

A

Rabbits will spread the bacteria from the nose to the skin while grooming.

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11
Q

What bacteria are commonly implicated for moist dermatitis?

A
  1. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  2. Staphylococcus aureus
  3. Pasteurella multocida
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12
Q

What are predisposing factors to developing moist dermatitis?

A
  1. Females and breeds with large dewlaps
  2. Dental disease causing excessive drooling and wet skin
  3. Urine scald
  4. Damp housing conditions
  5. Any condition causing fur and skin to remain abnormally wet
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13
Q

What pathogen is implicated in blue fur disease?

A

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (pyocyanin pigment).

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14
Q

How is blue fur disease diagnosed?

A
  1. PE
  2. Impression smear cytology
  3. +/- culture
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15
Q

How to appropriately treat moist dermatitis/superficial pyoderma?

A
  1. Clip the area
  2. Clean with chlorhexidine or providone iodine (helps with yeast)
  3. Astringents (Domeboro or SSD)
  4. Identify and treat underlying cause.
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16
Q

What are side effects of prolonged use of topical corticosteroids?

A
  1. Thinning of the skin
  2. Immune compromise
  3. Leukocyte lysis
  4. Inflamed skin more readily absorbs corticosteroids
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17
Q

What is cellulitis?

A

Infection of the dermis and subcutaneous fat due to infection in another area of the body (commonly respiratory).

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18
Q

Bacteria commonly implicated in cellulitis?

A
  1. P. multocida
  2. S. aureus
  3. B. bronchiseptica
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19
Q

How to best treat cellulitis?

A

Aggressive parenteral antibiotic treatment based on culture and sensitivity (from FNA). Pain management (meloxicam +/- opioids).

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20
Q

What are the complications associated with cellulitis?

A

Abscess, skin necrosis, and sloughing of eschars.

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21
Q

In one study, 39% of clinically normal rabbits were found to be positive for ______.

A

MRSA.

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22
Q

What are clinical features of MRSA?

Study These Flashcards
A

Wound infections that are non-responsive to normal antibiotics.

23
Q

Cytologic examination of MRSA shows _____.

Study These Flashcards
A

Cocci bacteria.

24
Q

What are the most effective antibiotics against MRSA?

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A

Potentiated sulfonamides and doxycycline.

25
Prognosis for MRSA infections?
GUARDED.
26
Why should gloves be worn for MRSA patients?
Rabbit strains closely match human strains so potential for zoonosis.
27
What are common causes of facial dermatitis in rabbits?
1. Trauma (bite wounds) 2. Dental disease --> drooling and dacryocytitis 3. Ectoparasites
28
Describe the pathology of dacryocytitis leading to dermatitis.
Incisor disease can cause blockage of the duct. Tears leak out of the medial canthus instead of draining. Mineral deposits combine with sticky mucus and cause matting. Bacteria will colonize and grow in these wet areas.
29
What is the best way to treat facial dermatitis?
Cleaning the area and applying a barrier ointment such as petroleum jelly. Fix underlying issue.
30
What are causes of perineal dermatitis?
1. Inability to groom the perineal area (arthritis, spondylosis, dental disease, obesity) 2. Urinary Tract Disease (Cystitis, stones, infection, penile disorders) 3. Dietary (low fiber)
31
Why are cecotrophs so irritating to the skin?
Volatile fatty acids are irritating.
32
How can perineal dermatitis cause urinary tract disease?
Continued infection is painful and can cause difficulties posturing to urinate. Urine scald follows along with urethritis. Ascending infection.
33
What are the tenets of treating perineal dermatitis?
Breaking the cycle of pain, inflammation, lack of grooming, and bacterial infection. Treating underlying disease.
34
Rabbits with large folds of skin around the genitals will often benefit from _____.
Perineal dermoplasty (skin removal surgery).
35
Describe perineal dermoplasty.
Crescent shaped incision above the genitals with the intent of removing all infected tissue (sometimes not possible). No tension should be present on closing, as this may alter the position of the genitals and cause abnormal urination. Males will be castrated during this procedure.
36
What are complications of perineal dermoplasty?
If entire area of infection cannot be removed, post-op infection and abscessation.
37
Define necrobacillosis.
Infection caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum (G- anaerobe).
38
What is the pathology of necrobacillosis?
F. necrophorum is commonly found in the GI tract and causes infection when wounds are contaminated with feces. Causes inflammation and irritation which can lead to abscess formation, ulceration and necrosis.
39
How to diagnose F. necrophorum?
Cytology: Long, filamentous bacterial rods. Anaerobic culture.
40
Treatment of necrobacillosis?
Necrotic tissue must be debrided and surgically resected. Antibiotics (PenG or Metronidazole).
41
What causes rabbit syphilis?
Treponema paraluis cuniculi (G - spirochete).
42
How is Treponema spread and what is the incubation period?
Sexual transmission, direct contact of you with infected dam. Up to 10-16 weeks.
43
Diagnosis of Treponema?
Best is skin scrape and identifying spirochete under black light microscopy. Serologic testing is available, though seroconversion takes 8-12 weeks (lesions appear 3-6 weeks post infection).
44
What is the best treatment for Treponema?
PenG (42,000-84,000 IU/kg, SC q 7 days for 3 weeks). Fluoroquinolones can be used, though may just alleviate clinical signs.
45
What species is overrepresented for ulcerative pododermatitis and why?
Rex rabbits due to lack of guard hairs.
46
What is the primary pathologic lesion of ulcerative pododermatitis?
Avascular necrosis of the skin.
47
Outline the movement physiology of the rabbit foot.
At stand, weight is distributed between the hock, metatarsus and nails. SDF tendon is flexed. During movement, the nails should dig into the ground to allow for complete lift of the hock.
48
Why is hard flooring a predisposing factor to pododermatitis?
It does not allow for the toes to appropriately bear weight leading to increased pressure on the metatarsals and hocks.
49
Pathogenesis of ulcerative pododermatitis.
1. Pressure changes cause hair loss, hyperemia and inflammation. 2. Erosion and ulceration (severity depends on vascular occlusion) (granulomatous lesions). 3. Reperfusion injury causes endothelial damage and necrosis (free radical release). 4. Decubital ulcers form over the hock. 5. Predisposes rabbit to infection (pyogranulomatous lesions). 6. Bacteria damage the underlying synovial tissue and bone. 7. Continued soft tissue erosion leads to medial displacement of the SDF.
50
What are complications of ulcerative pododermatitis?
Infection (P. multocida, S. aureus). Hemorrhage from erosion of the medial plantar artery and vein.
51
Treatment options for mild to moderate cases of ulcerative pododermatitis.
1. Ensure appropriate bedding. Deep beds of hay or other soft material to allow for normal locomotion. 2. Liquid bandages. 3. Pain management +/- antibiotics.
52
Treatment options for severe ulcerative dermatitis.
1. Padded bandages and topical solutions that will need to be changed daily (wet to dry, hydrogel). 2. Surgical debridement - curetting abscesses by accessing points that are non-weight bearing. Honey bandages should be considered for healing. 3. Salvage surgery for tendon slip: medial incision to release the tendon. Replace using an IM pin and manage as an open wound.
53
When is tendon surgery contraindicated for ulcerative pododermatitis?
Deep infection, nonviable overlaying skin, osteomyelitis.
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