Skin fungus

Unlike guinea pigs, rabbits rarely suffer from skin fungi.

A German study shows that Trichophyton mentagrophytes is the causative skin fungus in rabbits in up to 79% of cases. Other dermatophyte species found in rabbits include T. terrestre (14.5%), M. gypseum (9.6%), and M. canis (2.4%).

Attention! Skin fungus can be transmitted to humans. Children and immunocompromised individuals should be kept away from infected animals. Pay attention to proper hygiene measures and avoid cuddling with your rabbit during the illness!

Symptoms: How does skin fungus manifest?

Many rabbits are infected with fungal spores without showing symptoms. Their immune system is strong enough to prevent the fungus from spreading. However, stress, undiagnosed illnesses, and other factors that weaken the immune system can cause the skin fungus to suddenly spread. This results in hair loss (often, but not always, circular), usually with little or no itching, or only mild itching. Skin fungus is most commonly found on rabbits’ ears, eyes, neck, nose, and feet. The affected areas are often covered with a whitish film, scaly (flakes), sore, or even oozing, similar to an open wound.

Diagnosis: Is it really skin fungus?

The exact diagnosis is made by the veterinarian based on the clinical presentation and by culturing a sample (skin scraping or hair sample), which usually takes about a week. Some, but not all, types of fungi fluoresce under a UV lamp. A faster and more reliable diagnosis can be made through a dermatophyte PCR in the lab, where the veterinarian collects a sample of skin and hair. However, since fungal spores are almost everywhere, there is a risk of false-positive results

Causes: What promotes or triggers skin fungus?

  • Other (chronic) illnesses that weaken the rabbit. Typically, only weakened or sick rabbits in a group are affected.
  • Antibiotic treatments.
  • Cortisone administration (weakens the immune system).
  • Other skin diseases where a fungus can settle.
  • Warm and humid climate due to poor ventilation, insulation, airtight covers (“winter covers for rabbit hutches”), etc.
  • Disharmonious groups, social stress, dominance battles.
  • Poor handling, frequent picking up, carrying, and cuddling with the rabbit.
  • Unsanitary or damp environment, infrequent cleaning.
  • Warm and humid weather conditions.
  • Plastic shelters.
  • Solitary confinement, which causes stress as the rabbit can never fully relax (the other rabbit is always on alert).
  • Lack of space.
  • Poor nutrition, deficiencies.

Treatment & Care: What can be done against skin fungus?

It is important to first identify and eliminate the underlying cause.

If the rabbit has good living conditions in a large enclosure, a companion animal, and is not exposed to stress, the underlying condition should be identified. Often, hidden illnesses such as ear infections or uterine diseases are responsible, which chronically weaken the animal.

Severe skin fungus infection on the entire body with scales, hair loss, and matting
  • Home remedies (such as apple cider vinegar, Egyptian black seed oil, aloe vera, calendula tincture, healing clay, baking soda, coconut oil, colloidal silver, propolis ointment, or colloidal silver ointment) can help locally displace the fungus when applied frequently to small fungal spots. However, it often returns or appears in other areas.
  • More effective treatments are those applied directly to the affected areas, such as Enilconazole (e.g., Imaverol®), Miconazole (applied daily for four weeks), Canesten® (Clotrimazole, daily for at least one week after healing, usually 4 weeks), or Lamisil Once (Terbinafine, applied every 1-2 weeks for 4 weeks). These are suitable for very small, localized skin fungus. However, cortisone-containing ear treatments, like Surolan® and others, should not be used (although they work quickly and reduce itching). Cortisone is unsuitable for rabbits (unlike other animals and humans); it can cause severe liver damage and immune suppression, and may also harm other organs. Moreover, cortisone weakens the immune system and can worsen fungal infections.
  • To effectively eliminate the skin fungus, washes with special shampoos (e.g., Malaseb® Shampoo) are often necessary. However, these can be stressful, so they should be carefully considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • In cases of severe or widespread infection, oral antifungal medications are most effective as they work throughout the body. For example, Itraconazole (e.g., Itrafungol®).
  • For itching, Fenistil® can help.
  • It is often necessary to identify and treat the underlying illness, as many sick or weakened rabbits have a condition that makes it difficult to treat the fungal infection effectively.
  • The treatment must be done conscientiously and for at least two weeks beyond recovery.
  • Additionally, the immune system should be supported and strengthened.
  • UV light (either from a UV lamp or sunlight without window glass between) can also promote healing.
  • Fatty acids, such as those from linseed oil, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, black seed, or their press products, support the healing and regeneration of the skin.

Contagion: Is skin fungus contagious? Should I separate the rabbit?

In the case of an infection, the fungus can be transmitted to other weakened animals or humans (zoonosis), so hygiene is essential. However, fungal spores are often present on many animals without causing illness, and only animals or humans with weakened immune systems are affected. If one animal in the group is infected, the other group members often already carry fungal spores, so separating them may not be very effective. Additionally, solitary confinement and reintroducing the rabbit after treatment can cause significant stress, which can hinder proper healing or even cause the fungus to return.

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