Noses on bunnies seem to be rotting!

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conejoenfermo

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Hello! I am new to this site. I am looking after a tiny farm in Spain which has 15 rabbits. They have recently developed a weird disease where the tops of their noses are literally rotting away. No one here knows what it is. Not even the vets apparently. We have been administering antibiotics via the water but this does not seem to be doing anything. Does anyone have any ideas? Much appreciated!

bunny 1.jpg

bunnies 2.jpg
 
I'm far from an expert, but it looks to me rather like the chronic form of myxomatosis, especially with the lumps around the eye as well. As far as I'm aware there isn't any treatment, but they tend to recover, however respiratory complications such as pneumonia are said to be common with it, so that's something to look out for if it is chronic myxo.

How long have they had the lesions? They look fairly well developed so I wouldn't think it's the acute form of the disease. Apart from that, I'm not sure what it could be, chronic myxo was simply my first thought when I saw them.

Some more info: http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Viral_diseases/Myxo/Myxo.htm
 
One possibility is treponematosis, or rabbit syphilis. Especially if your are also having lesions around the eyes, and also possibly the mouth and/or the genitals. This would be treated with penicillin injections(never orally).
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Bacterial/Syph_gen.html
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Bacterial/Syphilis.htm
http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Bacterial/Treponema_Inf_Rabbits.htm

Another possibility may be a fungal infection. But just by the pictures, I would lean more towards the syphilis. The vet may be able to confirm what it is by having a skin biopsy done.
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Fungal/Fungal_en.htm
 
Thanks folks. Very helpful. They were vaccinated for Myxo. in the Spring plus I looked for lesions around the genitals earlier on but didn't see any. But I am leaning towards Myxo. Two are snuffly and have lesions around the eyes. Poor guys. It's just so strange that the "wounds" are ALL on the tops of the noses. I'll check out these links.
 
Nodular myxi can occur in vaccinated rabbits, the good news is that it has a much higher survival rate than normal myxi. It usually takes around 6 weeks from first signs until fully healed although they can be left with scars. Antibiotics to prevent secondary infection is a good idea.

The lumps usually appear on the face and it can be just a single nodule. They usually start as a pea size/shape lump and then turn into a scab. If you google nodular myxi you'll find pics to compare and if you suggest it as an option to your vets they can research further.

I agree Syphilis would be the other thing that sprung to my mind too.
 
Just wanted to let you all know that a vet here did finally see them and said they had "acaria" in Spanish. I don't know what it is in English. We treated them with the same stuff we would put in their ears for mites and after a couple of doses over a few weeks, they seem to be healing! So I guess it was some sort of mite/bacteria thing. Thought you all would like to know. Thanks for your help, guys!
 
Sounds like maybe it was the scabes mite. Really glad your vet knew what to treat with and that your rabbits are doing better.
 

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