📚 What Is Pyoderma?

Pyoderma refers to bacterial skin infections presenting with pus, redness, crusting, pustules, or moist dermatitis. In rabbits, it's most common in areas prone to moisture—such as skin folds (dewlap), hocks, perineum—or following trauma or urine scald :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.

⚠️ Why This Matters

• Bacterial overgrowth leads to painful lesions, secondary inflammation, and possible systemic illness.
• Untreated infections can spread, become deeper (dermal involvement), or recur frequently without addressing underlying causes :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
• Overgrowth in folds or scalded areas often reflect husbandry issues—weight or hygiene-related.

👀 Recognizing Pyoderma in Rabbits

• **Skin folds (dewlap), hocks, perineal area**: look for redness, moist exudate, matted fur, pustules, or crusts :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• **Post-trauma or injection sites**: localized swelling, ulceration, or crusting :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• **Urine scald**: wet fur around genitals with secondary inflammation/pustules :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Systemic signs: discomfort, reduced grooming, reluctance to move, or anorexia.

🔍 Diagnosing Pyoderma

• **History & exam**: note hygiene, weight, recent wounds, urination habits.
• **Cytology/tape prep**: reveals cocci and neutrophils indicating bacterial infection :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• **Skin culture + sensitivity**: essential in recurrent or deep cases to guide treatment :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• **Identify underlying factors**: allergies, parasites, obesity, dental disease, urine scald :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

💊 Treatment Strategies

1. Topical therapy

• Clip matted hair to allow cleaning and drying :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Clean daily with dilute chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Apply veterinarian-prescribed antibiotic/antiseptic cream—avoid prolonged steroid use due to risk of thinning skin and suppressing immunity :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.

2. Systemic antibiotics

• Used for moderate to deep, or recurrent infections. Choose antibiotics based on culture and sensitivity. Common pathogens include *Staph. aureus*, *Pseudomonas*, *Pasteurella* :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Treatment duration: typically 2–4 weeks or until full clinical resolution.

3. Adjunctive measures

• Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) as required :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• Address underlying causes—obesity management, regular grooming, and fixing urine scald :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.

🏠 Home & Recovery Care

• Keep affected skin clean and always dry after cleaning.
• Monitor daily for improvement—reassess if lesions persist beyond 2 weeks.
• Maintain good fur hygiene around affected areas—clip and brush regularly.
• Encourage weight control to reduce folds and prevent recurrence.
• Re-evaluate environment and hygiene routines to prevent moisture accumulation.

📊 Quick Reference Table

🛡️ Prevention Strategies

• Maintain ideal weight to reduce skin folds and moisture retention.
• Groom regularly—especially dewlap, hindquarters, and perineal area.
• Clean perineal region daily to avoid urine scald.
• Ensure bedding stays clean and dry—use absorbent substrates.
• Address wounds or injection site reactions promptly to prevent secondary infection.

🧠 Vet Tips for 2025

• Use cytology and culture early—avoid blind antibiotic use and reduce resistance risk :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• Prioritize topical care for surface infections—based on veterinary dermatology consensus :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• Inspect and treat contributing issues like obesity, matted fur, and hygiene lapses.
• Re-evaluate non-responsive cases—consider underlying conditions like allergies or parasites :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• Educate owners on maintenance routines—daily cleaning and grooming to prevent relapse.

🔚 Final Takeaway

Rabbit pyoderma is a treatable but recurring skin problem. With early veterinary diagnosis—using cytology, culture—and a combination of topical and systemic treatment, supported by grooming and hygiene improvements, most cases resolve fully. In 2025, minimizing antibiotic use, managing weight and preventing moisture build-up are key to fostering healthy skin and preventing future outbreaks. 🐇❤️

🌟 Partner Services

• Ask A Vet: Live support for lesion assessment, antibiotic choice, and creating a skin care routine.
• Woopf: Grooming kits, absorbent bedding, and perineal cleaning tools to maintain skin health.
• Purrz: Topical antiseptic sprays, pain-soothing balms, and weight management bundles for prevention.