Dermatophytosis in Rabbits

Dermatophytosis or ringworm in rabbits is a zoonotic disease. Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi. Trichophyton mentagrophytes is the main microbiological agent that causes infection in rabbit farms, affecting a wide variety of breeds and causing morbidity that diminishes the performance of animals. The development of dermatophytosis in rabbits is strongly related to risk factors such as animal density and immunosuppression conditions. Rabbits may present with clinical signs such as focal alopecia, erythema, and crusting. Risk factor management and disinfection of the environment to decrease fungal loads are important components in control and prevention. As such, the sanitary measures carried out by the rabbit farmer are of extreme importance for the control of the disease. This chapter highlights the main features of dermatophytosis presence in rabbitries.