Pocket Pet Dermatology

When you see a hamster, guinea pig, rat, or similar pet come in with flaky, itchy skin, don’t get worried
because it isn’t a dog or cat. The principles and differential diagnoses you learned with other mammals
also apply to pocket pets. In general ignore the fact that the patient isn’t a carnivore and proceed how
you would with any other patient. Fall back to your basic dermatology diagnostics: skin scrape, skin
impression, and fungal culture. These tests are just as diagnostic in pocket pets as they are in dogs or
cats. Treatment is also similar to other pets, with the exception that you cannot use penicillins in rabbits
and rodents and should use cephalosorins carefully in rabbits and guinea pigs (ferrets can take these
antibiotics without problems).

Skin Mites
This is one of the most common dermatology disorders in pocket pets. Presentation is usually for flaky
skin and alopecia or hypotrichosis w/ various degrees of pruritis. Often these pets will have self-induced
wounds from aggressive scratching. Almost regardless of the species of mite, there is some degree of
zoonotic potential, which the client should be made aware of. It is also common to not find any mites
on a skin scraping even if the patient is positive. Therefore a negative skin scrape result does NOT rule
out the possibility of mites. If there are enough symptoms (especially pruritis), consider empiric
treatment and observe for response to therapy. Other skin disorders will not respond to ivermectin, so if
a patient improves on solely ivermectin therapy you can consider this a positive diagnosis for skin mites.
There are a few slight species-specific considerations.
Ferrets: Sarcoptes scabiei can infect them, and are diagnosed and treated in a similar manner to dogs or
cats.
Rabbits: Can be affected by Cheyletiella and Sarcoptes.
Hamsters: Can be affected by Demodex aurati and D. criceti. Two sarcoptic mites, Notoedres notoedres
and N. Cati also affect them.
Mice & Rats: Numerous species of fur mites can affect them, including Myobia musculi, Mycoptes
musculinis, Radfordia affinis, and Psorerages simplex. Mites are less common in rats than in mice
though are still possible.
Guinea pigs: Trixacarus caviae can affect them and is the most common cause of pruritic skin disease in
this species. It should be noted that pruritis can be so intense that it causes seizures! A guinea pig with
noticeable pruritis and dermatitis who either spontaneously seizures or does so while being examined
and scraped should be considered virtually pathognomonic for skin mites.
Hedgehogs: Can be affected with numerous types of skin mites, including Caparinia spp., Chorioptes
spp, and Notoedres sppp.

Treatment in all species is usually with SC ivermectin 0.2-0.4 mg/kg q10-14d for a minimum of 2-3
treatments. The client should also completely change any bedding and clean the enclosure 1-2 times
weekly throughout the treatment to help eliminate environmental contamination. Truthfully the
species of mite is more academic than anything, as treatment is the same regardless of the mite
infecting the pet. Because of the highly contagious nature of skin mites, all pets housed together should
be treated, regardless of which ones are symptomatic.

Ear Mites
Otodectes cynotis can affect ferrets and hedgehogs as well as dogs and cats. These pets will present like
any other species, with pruritic ears and exudate. Diagnosis is straightforward with an ear swab and
treatment is usually with topical ivermectin.
Rabbits can be infected by a different ear mite, Psoroptes cuniculi. Presentation is classic and almost
pathognomonic, with heavy reddish-brown crusting of the ears, drooping ears, and pruritis. The mites
can be identified with an otoscope or on an ear swab. Treatment is with ivermectin, usually
parenterally. Selamectin (Revolution) has also been used safely in rabbits, though it is an off-label use.
It is important to note that you should NOT clean the debris out of a rabbit’s ears because of the risk of
damaging these delicate structures. Once the mites are gone the debris will resolve on its own.

Lice
Various species of lice can affect pocket pets, especially guinea pigs. As with mites diagnosis is by skin
scraping or fur plucking. Tape impressions of suspicious areas can also be used. Lice are just at the limit
of visibility with the naked eye, so you may see them moving on the fur but should confirm with
appropriate diagnostics. Parenterally ivermectin is usually the treatment of choice.

Fleas
Common cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) can infect any pocket pet as well and can lead to dermatitis as
much as in dogs and cats. If a client is having difficulty getting rid of fleas in the environment and they
have guinea pigs, rabbits, or ferrets, they will need to treat the exotic pets as well as any dogs or cats.
Untreated pocket pets can serve as reservoirs for fleas to feed on and reproduce. Though there are no
approved treatments available, the feline versions of Advantage, Advantage-Multi, and Revolution have
been used safely and successfully in these species. Generally use the entire dose of the smallest cat
formula. Fipronil is considered toxic in rabbits, so avoid its use. With the Advantage products, dose at
0.1ml/kg; Revolution is dosed at 6mg/kg. Remember that these products are off-label, though they have
been used in pocket pets safely and have been approved by the European equivalent of the FDA.

Tumors
All of the standard skin tumors of dogs and cats can also show up in pocket pets: mast cell tumors, basal
cell tumors, sebaceous adenomas, squamous cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas, and so on. Diagnosis in
small mammals is the same as in other species: needle aspirates and biopsies (incisional or excisional).
Integumentary tumors are not considered rare in any of these species. If anesthesia is needed for
diagnostics or removal, protocols are available in the Banfield anesthesia guide.

Dermatophytoses
All common pocket pets can be infected by one of the ringworm fungi. Wood’s lamp exams are not very
helpful, as ultraviolet light will only detect Microsporum canis, and this is a very uncommon organism
infecting exotics. Non-flourescing organisms are much more common, so fungal cultures are usually the
diagnostic of choice and are performed the same as with dogs and cats. Trichophyton spp. are the most
common organisms found. Symptoms may include pruritis, though this is less common, as well as focal
area of alopecia with crusts. Treatment consists of topical antifungal agents, with systemic griseofulvin
or ketoconazole if needed. Griseofulvin should be used cautiously in rabbits as it can cause bone
marrow suppression and panleukopenia. Lime sulfur dips can be used q7d for 4 treatments, though this
is not always easy depending on the pet. Many pets can be subclinically affected, so if multiple pets are
housed together, all of them should be treated regardless of which one is showing symptoms or lesions.
The environment should be thoroughly treated, as infectious spores can contaminate the area for up to
2 years. Also keep in mind the zoonotic potential and inform clients of this.

Abscesses
Staphylococcus aureus, Pasteurella pneumotropica, P. multocida, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and
Streptococcus pyogens are common organisms found in dermatitis lesions and abscesses. Guinea pigs
can develop cervical lymphadenitis (“lumps”) resulting in a severe infection of the cervical lymph nodes
(most commonly due to Streptococcus zooepidemicus). Abscesses in these species often result in a
caseous purulent material that can be difficult to thoroughly express. Treatment often (if not usually)
involves surgical excision of the affected tissues as well as systemic antibiotics.

Pododermatitis
Bumblefoot is a common disease seen in guinea pigs, and most typically is seen in obese pets who are
housed on wire-bottom cages or with abrasive bedding. Rabbits can also develop these sores, usually
from rough or dirty floors or frequent thumping. Sores can become infected (usually with
Staphylococcus areus) and the infection can be severe, spreading to tendons and bones. Treatment
consists of systemic antibiotics, surgical debridement, chlorhexidine foot soaks, and changing
environmental conditions leading to the problem (weight, housing, etc.). Unfortunately these cases
have a guarded prognosis and can become chronic issues.

Formulary
This information is intended as a brief introduction across species for dermatology conditions. Consult a
formulary for more details.
Enrofloxacin: 5-15mg/mg PO, SC, IM q12h
Trimethoprim-sulfa: 15-30mg/kg PO, SC q12h
Ketoconazole: 10-30mg/kg PO q24h
Ivermectin: 0.2-0.4mg/kg PO, SC q10-14d
Pyrethrin products: can be used topically in all species. Follow label directions q7d.
Selamectin: 6mg/kg topically q30d
Imidocloprid (with or without Moxydectin): 0.1ml/kg (generally one small cat tube depending on the
size of the pet) topically q30d

Useful Resources:
Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents. 2nd Edition. Quesenberry & Carpenter. Saunders

Manual of Exotic Pet Practice. Mitchell & Tully. Saunders

Exotic DVM Magazine