Fur Pulling/Loss

[Shaded Night Rabbitry]

Location
Olympia, WA

Description (Breed, color, weight)
Netherland Dwarf 1 1/2 year buck, just over 2 1/2 pounds. (Yes, he's fat.)

Concise Summary of the Rabbit's Condition:
Missing fur in a bandana shaped pattern, on the neck/chest/would be dewlap. Scabby, with some flakey skin. But does NOT look like mites, and no sign of mites anywhere on the body.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / CHECK LIST: (Please fill in relevant info).

Fecal and Urinary Output

- are the bunny's poops and pees normal?
Yes.
- when did they last use their litterbox?
Errr, the pan was full today, so I'll assume he's been going fine for the last week.
- any unusual behavior? straining to pee? unusual litter habits?
Not that I can see.
- what litter and/or bedding do you use?
Wire floor, sawdust (broken down wood pellets) in the pan.

Medical History

- spayed/neutered?
No.
- has s/he been to the vet or been sick before?
I don't believe so?
- is s/he on any medications?
He HAS been treated with a triple antibiotic eye cream for a goupy eye that passed through the heard. This was about, oh, three months ago?

Diet

- what specifically does your bunny eat?
Pfaus, 17% protein. Free fed timothy.
- when and what did s/he eat last?
He's a pig. Fed 5 minutes ago.
- any changes in the way s/he eats? (ie: not eating a particular food, odd chewing motions, etc)
Not that I can see.


Other

- movement - any unusual movements? Is s/he hopping normally?
I believe.
- is the rabbit molting?
Slightly. He just finished out a big molt, and is a little open in coat still.
- any weight loss?
Weight GAIN.
- any sign of drooling? wet face?
Some matted fur under chin, but no 'drool'. The slightly matted (not sure how else to describe it) has always been there.
- runny eyes?
No.
- wet nose? coughing? sneezing?
No.
- is s/he breathing normally
Yes.

Additional

- any plants, chocolate or other substances within reach?
No.
- has the rabbit been outdoors?
Yes.
- any other pets? if so, have they been ill?
Yes, but not for a while.



I can post pics tomorrow, when I get the camera back. x.x;

 

[tonyshuman]

Does he drink out of a bowl, or lie in anything wet? It sounds like it could be a fungal infection of the skin in that area, probably caused by getting wet and staying that way for a while. That's even more likely if he's chubby and there are folds of skin where wetness can accumulate and stick around for a while. I would treat with an over the counter athlete's foot remedy for a couple of days and look for improvement. You will want to put the salve on and let it soak into the skin for a few minutes, then wipe any excess off so he doesn't groom it off and ingest a ton.

Another possibility is that he has tooth problems that are getting worse (you said he's always had matted fur under the chin). That should also be looked at if this continues.

 

[jamesedwardwaller]

Shaded Night Rabbitry wrote:

Location
Olympia, WA

Description (Breed, color, weight)
Netherland Dwarf 1 1/2 year buck, just over 2 1/2 pounds. (Yes, he's fat.)

Concise Summary of the Rabbit's Condition:
Missing fur in a bandana shaped pattern, on the neck/chest/would be dewlap. Scabby, with some flakey skin. But does NOT look like mites, and no sign of mites anywhere on the body.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / CHECK LIST: (Please fill in relevant info).

Fecal and Urinary Output

- are the bunny's poops and pees normal?
Yes.
- when did they last use their litterbox?
Errr, the pan was full today, so I'll assume he's been going fine for the last week.
- any unusual behavior? straining to pee? unusual litter habits?
Not that I can see.
- what litter and/or bedding do you use?
Wire floor, sawdust (broken down wood pellets) in the pan.

Medical History

- spayed/neutered?
No.
- has s/he been to the vet or been sick before?
I don't believe so?
- is s/he on any medications?
He HAS been treated with a triple antibiotic eye cream for a goupy eye that passed through the heard. This was about, oh, three months ago?

Diet

- what specifically does your bunny eat?
Pfaus, 17% protein. Free fed timothy.
- when and what did s/he eat last?
He's a pig. Fed 5 minutes ago.
- any changes in the way s/he eats? (ie: not eating a particular food, odd chewing motions, etc)
Not that I can see.


Other

- movement - any unusual movements? Is s/he hopping normally?
I believe.
- is the rabbit molting?
Slightly. He just finished out a big molt, and is a little open in coat still.
- any weight loss?
Weight GAIN.
- any sign of drooling? wet face?
Some matted fur under chin, but no 'drool'. The slightly matted (not sure how else to describe it) has always been there.
- runny eyes?
No.
- wet nose? coughing? sneezing?
No.
- is s/he breathing normally
Yes.

Additional

- any plants, chocolate or other substances within reach?
No.
- has the rabbit been outdoors?
Yes.
- any other pets? if so, have they been ill?
Yes, but not for a while.



I can post pics tomorrow, when I get the camera back. x.x;

i highly recommend an exotic specialist -(dvm)-examination,asap---upon finding fleas and mites they are easily gotten rid or,,--beware of any medications not on the safe list,or advised by an exotic specialist,..sincerely james waller

 

[Maureen Las]

tonyshuman wrote:

Does he drink out of a bowl, or lie in anything wet? It sounds like it could be a fungal infection of the skin in that area, probably caused by getting wet and staying that way for a while. That's even more likely if he's chubby and there are folds of skin where wetness can accumulate and stick around for a while. I would treat with an over the counter athlete's foot remedy for a couple of days and look for improvement. You will want to put the salve on and let it soak into the skin for a few minutes, then wipe any excess off so he doesn't groom it off and ingest a ton.

Another possibility is that he has tooth problems that are getting worse (you said he's always had matted fur under the chin). That should also be looked at if this continues.

I agree with Claire
There could also be more than one issue going on here.

Could be mites could be mangeand/or a fungus or teeth issues ; if it was still from a molt it would be bald but not scabby

Can you go to a vet?

might also want to read on differernet skin parasite in rabbits

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Parasite/Parasites_main.htm



The protein level in your rabbit's feed is very high; if he is gaining weightI would change to a higher fiber, lower fat, lower protein pellet andSLOWLY cut the amount of pellets down while increasing the amount of hay . With less pellets he will consume more hay.

 

[Shaded Night Rabbitry]

Oops, I didn't really pay attention. >.>;

It didn't appear to be mites. It wasn't really, scabby. I just didn't have a word for it.

I moved him up to a 18 by 24. Let him breed a couple of does. Seems to have taken away the problem. I do think he was pulling it from boredom... But I could be absolutely wrong. It's been growing back (AND THE WRONG COLOR!!!!!), and is about 1/5th of the way in. Naturally, it's coming back either black, or reaaaaally dark. D=

But I do think he's fine?

edit:
protein is high for show/breeding. my dwarfs have always done the best on the 17% feed. both 16%'s I used caused weight loss and under-condition..ing. I'll admit, he's on the flabby side. Probably from over feeding than the feed itself. BUT for a large buck, he only hits 2.09. Registered a year ago at 2.06. Not that huge of a weight change for a year, especially while he was finishing filling out and growing that head of his.