A case of antibacterial‐responsive mucocutaneous disease in a seven‐year‐old dwarf lop rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) resembling mucocutaneous pyoderma of dogs

Abstract

A seven-year-old, ovariohysterectomised female dwarf lop rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was referred with severe swelling and erythema of the mucocutaneous junctions of the lips, nares and vulva. Bilateral, severe periocular dermatitis was also present. Heavy pure growths of a member of the Staphylococcus intermedius group were cultured from nasal and aural swabs and skin biopsies. Other possible differential diagnoses were eliminated by standard tests. The clinical features and histopathological characteristics of the biopsies were most consistent with mucocutaneous pyoderma, a dermatosis previously reported in dogs but not in rabbits. Treatment of the bacterial infection with oral marbofloxacin and topical ofloxacin eye drops together with supportive therapy resulted in resolution of the lesions. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of mucocutaneous bacterial pyoderma, similar to mucocutaneous pyoderma of dogs, in a rabbit.

Virulence Potential of Biofilm-Producing Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus coagulans Causing Skin Infections in Companion Animals

“…The prevalence of pyoderma is lower in cats, ranging from 4% up to 20% [ 5 , 6 ], and is usually caused by S. pseudintermedius , S. aureus or coagulase-negative staphylococci [ 5 ]. In other companion animals, such as rabbits and horses, this infection is rare with only a few cases reported [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

Guide to skin diseases in rabbits

“…The rabbit presented with swelling and erythema of the mucocutaneous junctions of lips, nares and vulva and secondary bacterial infection due to Staphylococcus intermedius . Treatment consisted of topical and systemic administration of fluoroquinolone drugs (Benato and others 2013).…”