Symmetrical Alopecia in Rabbits

A 5-year-old rabbit with a history of inappetence and bilaterally symmetrical alopecia was examined. Symmetrical alopecia and scaling were found on the periocular area, dorsal neck, ventral thorax, dorsal trunk, and proximal aspects of the frontlimbs and hindlimbs. Hairs were easily epilated. Mites, dermatophytes, and yeast were ruled out based on negative dermatologic tests or lack of response to treatment trials. One month after presentation, the rabbit was euthanized due to anorexia. On postmortem examination, interface hepatitis was found. Histologic examination of the skin revealed hyperkeratosis, lymphocytic exocytosis, and cell-poor interface dermatitis and mural folliculitis similar to what has been reported in sebaceous adenitis and thymoma-associated dermatitis in rabbits.

COMMENTARY: The most common medical causes of alopecia in rabbits include ectoparasites, dermatophytosis, malnutrition, Malassezia dermatitis, sebaceous adenitis, cutaneous lymphoma, and thymoma. Depending on when the rabbit is examined, clinical signs could be limited to focal areas of hair loss or be widespread. The findings of this study suggest that metabolic diseases (ie, liver disease) may be another underlying cause. In this case report, the interface dermatitis was found in the liver as well as in the skin, suggesting an immune-mediated cause; a similar condition has been seen in humans. Rabbits presenting with symmetrical hair loss, exfoliation, and scaling should be aggressively evaluated for metabolic disease.

Symmetrical alopecia, scaling and hepatitis in a rabbit. Florizoone K, van der Luer R, van den Ingh T. Vet Dermatol

18:161-164, 2007.