Thymoma-associated exfoliative dermatitis in a rabbit

A 5-year-old rabbit with generalized scaling is presented. Multiple skin scrapings and acetate tape impressions were negative for mites and Malassezia. Culture for dermatophytes was also negative. Skin biopsies showed similarities with sebaceous adenitis described in rabbits (absence of sebaceous glands, perifollicular lymphocytic infiltrate at the level of the absent sebaceous glands, lymphocytic mural folliculitis, interface dermatitis). The owners refused any treatment and 2 months later the rabbit was euthanized due to anorexia. At necropsy a mass was found in the anterior mediastinum. Histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of thymoma. A possible paraneoplastic skin disease was suspected, based on similarities with thymoma-associated exfoliative dermatitis in cats.