[Environmental factors, clinical signs, therapy and zoonotic risk of rabbits with dermatophytosis].

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the environmental factors, clinical signs, therapy and zoonotic risk of pet rabbits with dermatophytosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the present study, questionnaires with separate questions for the veterinarian and the owners were sent to veterinarians who treated rabbits with positive fungal cultures. Eleven of the questionnaires were completed by veterinarians and owners, while eight questionnaires were exclusively answered by the veterinarians. The questionnaires included questions on the environment of the animals (origin, maintenance, feeding, group size, new arrivals, changes), clinical signs, diagnosis, therapy and zoonosis. RESULTS Trichophyton (T.) mentagrophytes (m.) was the most frequently isolated dermatophyte species (15/19). Half of the animals were younger than five months and female rabbits were affected twice as frequently. In four of 11 cases new rabbits arrived in the household in the weeks prior to the onset of the dermatophytosis and in seven cases the affected animals lived in the household for less than three months. The typical group size was two animals and in half of the cases the companion rabbit was also affected. The rabbits most often showed alopecia with scaling and/or crusts, especially on the head, the ears being affected in half these animals. In three of 11 cases (27.3%) children in the family showed clinical signs of dermatophytosis, with lesions located on the hands, face and shoulder. CONCLUSION Pet rabbits with dermatophytosis must be considered a serious zoonotic risk for their owners, especially children. In this study, risk factors for dermatophytosis appear to be the recent acquisition of a new rabbit and the age of the animals. CLINICAL RELEVANCE In rabbits with alopecia with scaling and/or crusts on the head, a dermatophyte infection should be ruled out. The owner should be adequately informed about the zoonotic risk of dermatophytosis, especially if children live in the household.

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