Trombiculid Mite Infestation: Chiggers

Several species of Trombicula can infest rabbits. Adult mites are free-living, and larvae are parasitic. Larvae

FIG.

attach to the skin and form a tubular feeding structure around their mouth parts known as a stylosome. Their presence elicits intense pruritus. They tend to locate on the feet, ears, medial canthus, and perineaum of infested rabbits. Dermanyssus gallinae (red poultry mite) is also known to infest rabbits in contact with birds.

Haemodipsus ventriculosis Infestation: Pediculosis

Haemodipsus ventriculosis is the rabbit louse, which infests wild O. cuniculus, and occurs occasionally in domestic rabbits. Heavy infestations may result in anemia, weight loss, alopecia, pruritus, and pustular dermatitis.

FIG. 6.76. Ears of the rabbit with scabies in the previous figure, depicting severe hyperkeratosis. Source: Farmaki et al., 2009. Reproduced with permission from BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

FIG. 6.77. Marked hyperkeratosis with numerous Sarcoptes mites embedded in the keratinized debris. Note the spongiform appearance of the keratinized epithelium due to tunneling by mites. (Source: M.K. Keel, University of California, Davis, CA. Reproduced with permission from M.K. Keel.)