Self-mutilation: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 23:43, 22 March 2023

Some rabbits are prone to self-mutilation, especially on the forefeet.^[1]^:292 Self-trauma can be so severe that digits may be lost.

Symptoms

lesions and skin irritation
reddening of the skin
excessive licking
excessive "air boxing"
removal of digits

Causes

The cause of self-mutilation is not clear, and it is likely a number of conditions can result in this type of behavior.

Some conditions that have been considered as causes:^[1]^:292-293

obsessive/compulsive behavior
hypersensitivity
mites
contact dermatitis
allergies
psychological disorder
genetic predisposition
intramuscular injections of ketamine and xylazine in the thigh near the tail (caudal)

A genetic predisposition for compulsive self-mutilation has been identified in one particular strain of laboratory rabbits.^[1]^:293 The symptoms begin with a reddening of the skin on the front feet digits, and rabbits would lick their feet and "air box" frequently. There appeared to be a seasonal incidence in the late summer and autumn.^[1]^:293

Symptoms due to intramuscular injections of ketamine and xylazine appeared 2–3 days post-injection, and while lameness was not observed, skin irrition was obvious, and the rabbits would shake their paw with every step. Post-mortem examination showed axonal degeneration in the sciatic nerve.^[1]^:293

Many rabbits carry Cheyletiella parasitovorax and/or L. gibbus mites and hypersensitivity is a possibility.^[1]^:292

Sometimes hay seeds or grass awns can be embedded in the skin and cause intense irritation.^[1]^:293

Treatment

Treatment should always include a parasiticide such as ivermectin or selamectin in case of mites.

If the self-mutilation appears to be a psychological disorder, some methods of treatment are the following:^[1]^:293

environmental enrichment such as exercising opportunities and a bonded companion.
neutering to prevent frustrations associated with finding a suitable nesting site or receptive companion.
a high fiber diet because chewing through hay or grazing grass can prevent boredom.
strategies such as scatter feeding (pellets are scattered through hay or another toy)
toys such as cardboard boxes or branches

For laboratory rabbits with a genetic predisposition for compulsive self-mutilation, treatment with haloperidal was successful.^[1]^:293

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 ^1.5 ^1.6 ^1.7 ^1.8 Varga, M. (2013). Textbook of rabbit medicine. (2nd ed.).

[trm2-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 ^1.5 ^1.6 ^1.7 ^1.8 Varga, M. (2013). Textbook of rabbit medicine. (2nd ed.).

[1]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{incomplete}}
+Some rabbits are prone to '''self-mutilation''', especially on the forefeet.<ref name="trm2">Varga, M. (2013). {{amazon|id=0702049794|name=''Textbook of rabbit medicine''. (2nd ed.).}}</ref><sup>:292</sup> Self-trauma can be so severe that digits may be lost.
-== Further Reading ==
+== Symptoms ==
+* lesions and skin irritation
+* reddening of the skin
+* excessive licking
+* excessive "air boxing"
+* removal of digits
+== Causes ==
+The cause of self-mutilation is not clear, and it is likely a number of conditions can result in this type of behavior.
+Some conditions that have been considered as causes:<ref name="trm2"/><sup>:292-293</sup>
+* obsessive/compulsive behavior
+* hypersensitivity
+* [[mites]]
+* contact [[dermatitis]]
+* allergies
+* psychological disorder
+* genetic predisposition
+* intramuscular injections of ketamine and xylazine in the thigh near the tail (caudal)
+A genetic predisposition for compulsive self-mutilation has been identified in one particular strain of laboratory rabbits.<ref name="trm2"/><sup>:293</sup> The symptoms begin with a reddening of the skin on the front feet digits, and rabbits would lick their feet and "air box" frequently. There appeared to be a seasonal incidence in the late summer and autumn.<ref name="trm2"/><sup>:293</sup>
+Symptoms due to intramuscular injections of ketamine and xylazine appeared 2&ndash;3 days post-injection, and while lameness was not observed, skin irrition was obvious, and the rabbits would shake their paw with every step. Post-mortem examination showed axonal degeneration in the sciatic nerve.<ref name="trm2"/><sup>:293</sup>
+Many rabbits carry ''Cheyletiella parasitovorax'' and/or ''L. gibbus'' [[mites]] and hypersensitivity is a possibility.<ref name="trm2"/><sup>:292</sup>
+Sometimes hay seeds or grass awns can be embedded in the skin and cause intense irritation.<ref name="trm2"/><sup>:293</sup>
+== Treatment ==
+Treatment should always include a parasiticide such as ivermectin or selamectin in case of [[mites]].
+If the self-mutilation appears to be a psychological disorder, some methods of treatment are the following:<ref name="trm2"/><sup>:293</sup>
+* '''environmental enrichment''' such as [[exercise|exercising]] opportunities and a [[bonding|bonded]] companion.
+* '''[[neutering]]''' to prevent frustrations associated with finding a suitable nesting site or receptive companion.
+* a '''high fiber diet''' because chewing through [[hay]] or grazing [[grass]] can prevent boredom.
+* '''strategies''' such as scatter feeding (pellets are scattered through hay or another toy)
+* '''[[toys]]''' such as cardboard boxes or branches
+For laboratory rabbits with a genetic predisposition for compulsive self-mutilation, treatment with haloperidal was successful.<ref name="trm2"/><sup>:293</sup>
+== Further reading ==
 * MediRabbit, Esther van Praag, Ph.D., [http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Mechanical/Mutilation/Selfmutilation.htm Self-mutilating behavior in rabbits]
+== See also ==
+* [[Fur loss]]
+* [[Overgrooming]]
+== References ==
+<references/>
+[[Category:Behavior]]
 [[Category:Health]]
+[[Category:Skin issues]]