Syphilis?

Hi - so today I found a white spot on Bluebell's vagina.

I can't find any good photos online of what rabbit syphilis pimples looked like, but I wondered whether than could be the cause? She's been with Ash for the past fortnight, and I wondered if maybe the weird spot on his nose (it never went away - see this thread Weird skin on nose?) could have been contagious?? I've only just noticed this spot, and I did check her bum a few days ago, so it must be very recent. I haven't noticed any other symptoms, but I'm thinking I should contact my vet when they open tomorrow.

AshAndMaple said:

Hi - so today I found a white spot on Bluebell's vagina.

I can't find any good photos online of what rabbit syphilis pimples looked like, but I wondered whether than could be the cause? She's been with Ash for the past fortnight, and I wondered if maybe the weird spot on his nose (it never went away - see this thread Weird skin on nose?) could have been contagious?? I've only just noticed this spot, and I did check her bum a few days ago, so it must be very recent. I haven't noticed any other symptoms, but I'm thinking I should contact my vet when they open tomorrow.

Click to expand...

When I've applied pressure to the area, it looks like there's actually two spots

It's been a while since I've applied a preventative flea/mite/fly treatment so I'll go ahead and do that anyway.

Doesn't look like any pictures I ever saw of syphilis, those were all more crusty, inflamed affairs, although I don't know how it would look like in early stages.

Reminds me more of those though:
:
https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/is-this-just-a-little-pimple-on-my-rabbit-penis.98746/
https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/white-puss-filled-spot-on-penis-of-rabbit.75191/#post-984902

Preitler said:

Doesn't look like any pictures I ever saw of syphilis, those were all more crusty, inflamed affairs, although I don't know how it would look like in early stages.

Reminds me more of those though:
:
https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/is-this-just-a-little-pimple-on-my-rabbit-penis.98746/
https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/white-puss-filled-spot-on-penis-of-rabbit.75191/#post-984902

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Hi, yes it does look like those. The second one does link to Treponematosis though, which I thought is the rabbit form of syphilis... I thought maybe Ash was a carrier of it and passed it to Bluebell. Ash's mother was surrendered to a rescue while pregnant with him and his siblings, so it's quite possible she was from a situation where there were STDs and they could have been passed to the kits. It's good to know that if it is syphilis there are treatments - I wanted to post on here while the vet is shut incase anyone recognises it as anything different or more serious that I'd need to go to the emergency vet for, but she seems fine in herself.

I know what you mean though, when you search for rabbit syphilis the pictures are all crusty, but searching for white spots on rabbits, syphilis is what comes up along with Myxomatosis.

I agree with Preitler. I don't think that's syphilis. Syphilis is more crusty lesions, or there can be bumps, but there won't be that white build up in it. When it's isolated to just a few spots, I believe this is a build up of sebum in the hair follicles/sebaceous gland. There are a few first hand owner updates after a vet visit, that indicated this was essentially the cause. There's something similar that can happen under their eyelids, with the glands there.

Medirabbit: build up in the sebaceous gland, meibomian cyst

A sebum build up is usually nothing to worry about and should resolve on it's own. But if you start to notice red inflamed skin around it, an infection may have developed and you should get your bun checked by your knowledgeable rabbit vet. Or consult with your vet if you have any concerns about this.

JBun said:

I agree with Preitler. I don't think that's syphilis. Syphilis is more crusty lesions, or there can be bumps, but there won't be that white build up in it. When it's isolated to just a few spots, I believe this is a build up of sebum in the hair follicles/sebaceous gland. There are a few first hand owner updates after a vet visit, that indicated this was essentially the cause. There's something similar that can happen under their eyelids, with the glands there.

Medirabbit: build up in the sebaceous gland, meibomian cyst

A sebum build up is usually nothing to worry about and should resolve on it's own. But if you start to notice red inflamed skin around it, an infection may have developed and you should get your bun checked by your knowledgeable rabbit vet. Or consult with your vet if you have any concerns about this.

Click to expand...

Thank you, if it is just a buildup of sebum then that's great news. Because of where it is I think I'm going to contact my vet tomorrow anyway and get an appointment for sometime next week so they can check over her and make sure it's not something that needs treatment.