Rabbit Foot Dermatitis: Symptoms & Treatment

1 Rabbit Foot Dermatitis: Symptoms & Treatment

1. Symptoms of Rabbit Foot Dermatitis

Hair loss at the foot center and heel, thickened skin with a hard crust, red swollen sole, then ulceration and pus—these are early signs. Severe cases show intense inflammation, pain, and itch; the rabbit bites the spot, sometimes bleeding. Without prompt care, a deep, large pus cavity forms—painful to see. Worst cases get sepsis and die, so treat early.

2. Treatment of Rabbit Foot Dermatitis

1) First clip the fur at the sore (little remains, but some does, and it carries bacteria—unfriendly to the wound).

2) Check for pus or hard crust; if a crust exists, pierce its base with a disinfected needle or blade to check for pus underneath. For severe pus, remove the crust; if bleeding won’t stop, press with gauze to stem it.

3) Use hydrogen peroxide to clear the sore. Squeeze out all pus; for deep cavities, dig out deep pus with a tool (some bleeding is unavoidable), then rinse repeatedly with peroxide and dry. Key point: flush to the deepest part with a syringe; because inflammation keeps making pus, do this daily until improvement.

4) Apply medicine deep into the sore—use a needle-less syringe to draw and inject it deep.

5) After dressing, put a head cone on to stop licking; the rabbit may resist, but it is key to prevent re-infection.

6) With the right drug, the wound improves in 2–3 days—pus lessens then stops, the sore shrinks. Yellow viscous fluid then appears; that is healing, but still squeeze, clean, and disinfect it. Care 2–3 times daily, at least once.

Tip: with daily care and medication, foot dermatitis heals well; neglecting care causes repeated infection and a stubborn case—hard on you and the rabbit. Be diligent.