singapore rabbits

treponema in rabbits, the misnamed condition

updated 19 May 2026

if you noticed a crusty patch on your rabbit’s nose or lip and searched online, you probably landed on the phrase “rabbit syphilis.” that name causes immediate alarm, especially for HDB owners who are already navigating limited exotic vet access in Singapore. the condition is real and does need treatment, but the name is deeply misleading. treponema cuniculi is a different bacterium entirely from the one that causes syphilis in humans. it cannot infect you, your family, or any other species in your home. it is also fully treatable with a short course of injections from an exotic vet. the problem is that many SG rabbit owners either panic and make decisions based on the name, or dismiss the lesions as something minor and delay getting help. neither approach serves the rabbit.

what treponema cuniculi actually is

treponema cuniculi, now sometimes referred to in research literature as Treponema paraluisculiculi, is a spirochete bacterium. spirochetes are spiral-shaped bacteria. the treponema family contains pathogens that affect multiple species, but each is species-specific.

the one that causes disease in humans, Treponema pallidum, belongs to the same genus. that shared genus name is where the “rabbit syphilis” label comes from. the similarity ends there. they are different organisms causing different diseases in different hosts. there is no documented case of the rabbit-specific treponema infecting a human.

this distinction matters practically. if you mention “rabbit syphilis” to a vet who does not work regularly with rabbits, you may receive a response shaped by the human disease. that can send treatment in the wrong direction or delay a correct diagnosis.

how rabbits in Singapore catch it

treponema spreads through direct skin contact with an infected rabbit. the main routes you will encounter in Singapore are:

  • breeding or mating. unscreened pairs can transmit the infection before either rabbit shows any symptoms. rabbits sourced from pet shops or private breeders may have been exposed without visible signs.
  • mother to kits. a doe with active treponema can pass it to her litter during birth or nursing. kits may carry the infection for weeks before lesions appear.
  • shared contact at adoption events or rabbit cafes. any setting where rabbits from different households interact carries some transmission risk if an infected rabbit is present.

the bacterium does not survive meaningfully outside a host. you cannot bring it home on your clothing or hands. shared water bowls and hay trays are a much lower risk than direct body contact.

Singapore’s 28-32°C heat and 70-90% humidity do not directly cause treponema, but they can worsen the appearance of existing skin lesions and make it harder to distinguish an early treponema sore from other humidity-related skin irritation. rabbits kept in poorly ventilated HDB flats with inadequate AC time may show more pronounced inflammation around active lesions.

what the lesions look like

treponema presents as crusty, scabby sores in a specific set of locations. these are the areas you should check when you suspect the condition:

  • around the nostrils and the edges of the upper lip
  • at the margins of the eyelids
  • around the genitals: the vulva in does, the prepuce in bucks, and the perianal skin in both sexes
  • occasionally on the chin, the inner ear flap, or the base of the ears

early lesions start as mild redness and small raised sores. they progress to thickened, scabby plaques that may ooze a small amount. the skin underneath can appear raw or darkened. in some rabbits the affected area is small and easy to overlook; in others it spreads across much of the muzzle.

one feature that makes treponema easy to miss: your rabbit may appear completely normal in every other way. appetite holds steady, droppings are normal, activity levels do not drop. the infection can be well-established before any other sign appears.

if you find sores near the genitals alongside anything around the face, treat this as a high-priority vet visit rather than a “monitor and wait” situation.

why treponema gets misdiagnosed

the lesions overlap visually with several other common rabbit conditions. in Singapore this is a real problem because general vet clinics far outnumber exotic clinics, and a vet without regular rabbit experience may not recognize treponema quickly.

ringworm (dermatophytosis) is the most common confusion. it also causes crusty, circular patches and requires antifungal treatment, not antibiotics. applying antifungal cream to treponema lesions will not resolve the infection.

fur mites (Cheyletiella parasitovorax) cause heavy scaling and dandruff-like debris, usually along the back and shoulders. a skin scraping can differentiate mites from treponema. treatment is entirely different.

uterine or genital infections can produce discharge that looks similar to genital treponema lesions. a vet focusing only on the secondary genital symptoms may miss the facial component and the underlying cause.

E. cuniculi is another commonly discussed rabbit condition in SG forums. it is caused by a microsporidian organism and primarily affects the nervous system and kidneys, not the skin. the two conditions are unrelated, though owners sometimes confuse them because both are described as “tricky to diagnose.”

if your rabbit is seen at a general clinic and returns home without improvement after treatment, ask specifically whether treponema was considered.

diagnosis and treatment

diagnosis is usually clinical. an exotic vet examines the distribution and appearance of lesions and considers the rabbit’s history. blood serology (a treponemal antibody test) can confirm infection but is not always available at every clinic and is not always required when the presentation is typical.

treatment is antibiotic injection, almost always penicillin-based, administered by a vet. this is not something you can replicate at home. oral penicillin must never be given to rabbits. it disrupts gut flora in a way that can be rapidly fatal. the injectable form, given at the correct interval by a vet, is safe and effective.

most protocols involve two to three injections spaced roughly one week apart. many rabbits show clear improvement in lesion appearance after the first or second dose.

as of 2026, a treponema treatment visit in Singapore typically costs between SGD 80 and SGD 200 per visit, depending on the clinic, the rabbit’s weight, and whether diagnostics are included. the full course may require two to three visits. this is a manageable and worthwhile expense given how completely the condition resolves with correct treatment.

what owners often get wrong

waiting to see if it clears on its own. treponema does not resolve without antibiotic intervention. it may appear to fluctuate, looking slightly better during low-stress periods, but the infection continues. lesions will return and can spread further along the affected areas. do not monitor for weeks once you have spotted characteristic sores.

assuming “acting normally” means the problem is minor. normal eating and activity do not indicate a mild infection. treponema often causes no systemic illness in the short term. the bacteria continue to replicate regardless of how well the rabbit appears otherwise.

treating with topical antifungal or antiseptic products. over-the-counter creams for ringworm or skin infections will not treat a bacterial spirochete. applying them before a vet visit can also alter the appearance of lesions and make assessment harder.

only treating one rabbit in a bonded pair. if your rabbit has had direct contact with a bonded partner, both rabbits need examination. treating one and not the other results in reinfection once the treated rabbit recovers. both may not show symptoms at the same time, so a visible-only check is not sufficient.

community-sourced information here is not veterinary advice. for any health concern, including any skin lesion or genital sore on your rabbit, see a licensed SG exotic vet.

community-sourced information, not veterinary advice. for medical issues, see a licensed SG exotic vet — start with our vet directory.

related