Fur loss in rabbits is normal when its part of their regular shedding seasons. What could this be and should we take her to the vet? rabbits. Abscesses are large, bald bumps on a rabbits skin. Read all my blogs and reviews about rabbits. biopsy, burrowing mange mites can be difficult to visualize. (2014). She helps to socialize the rabbits and educate volunteers on the care and behavior of these small mammals. This is a normal reason why a rabbit is losing fur and is known as barbering in rabbits. However, if the tail is pulled off or cut off, it will not grow back. If you notice these symptoms when your rabbit is losing excessive fur or has bald patches, its best to see a rabbit veterinarian for more guidance: Sometimes the reason your rabbit is losing fur will be obvious. cleanse it gently as recommended by your vet to prevent future complications, In many cases, this type of fur loss is also accompanied by wet skin or fur in these areas. In some cases, increasing your rabbits quality of life will help them recover and regrow their fur quickly, but in other cases, it will require professional diagnosis and medication. As rabbits are becoming ever more popular pets, we are able to better understand their grooming needs and how to meet them. 3. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 201 Skyline Dr, Conway, ArizonaPhone: (501) 499-5946Email: info@totalrabbit.com. Saliva burn is caused by dental problems in rabbits. Allergies are another possible cause of fur loss in rabbits. Rabbits lose patches of fur due to parasite infections (lice, fleas, mites, and fungus), urinary tract disorders, dental issues, hormonal imbalances, and bacterial . Products involved include: Complications and deaths are often associated with the stress of bathing, dying, and dipping. (Nutrition, Benefits, & Feeding Tips), 7 Rabbit Safe Woods that You can Use to Build a Rabbit Hutch, 4 Reasons Your Rabbits Jump Over Each Other. Make sure to keep your rabbits habitat clean and scoop out their litter box every day. Parasite Infestation. According to Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, selamectin or ivermectin are effective drugs in treating mite infestations in rabbits. This is because the rabbit has easy access to this area and will often barber it as a reaction to stress. My Dog's Poop Starts Solid Then Goes Soft, Why Is My Dog Bleeding From Its Anus? An early symptom is alopecia around the backend. Registered charity nos. However, if the rabbit cannot swallow, it could be related to other problems such as inflammation in the throat. You can tell if your bunny has a urinary tract infection from its urine. Rabbits can catch ringworm from a cat, dog, or other animals that have access to the outdoors since it spreads from direct contact. As the infestation progresses, Your vet will also prescribe medication and provide appropriate guidance on how to manage and cure the infection. I had 2 rabbits suffer from fly-strike (several years ago). Hair loss is typically associated with a problem that affects the growth of hair follicles and this could be due to a variety of things which includes the following: Parasitic infections - this could be ear mites, fleas or lice. If your rabbit is allergic to something in its environment, it may start to lose patches of fur. 6. Overgrooming in rabbits is not normal behavior and is often a sign of boredom or stress. These treatments kill parasites rapidly, leaving your rabbits itch-free and symptom-free, thus healing the cause of fur loss. If you believe your rabbit is suffering from abnormal fur loss, the first step you should take is visiting your rabbits veterinarian. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 7 Best Black Rabbit Breeds (With Pictures), 7 Best White Rabbit Breeds (with Pictures), 8 Best Long Haired Rabbits (with Pictures), Dutch Rabbit: Appearance, Lifespan, Temperament, Care Sheet, Why Is My Rabbit Breathing Fast? Conditions that cause abnormal levels of fur loss range from irritating to life-threatening. All rabbits shed their Your rabbit is not getting enough essential fatty acids in their diet. 5. After 2 days, he shed the fur around his mouth and nose area, but I can't find the shedded hair in the cage area. from Small Pet Select! World Rabbit Sci., 14, 147-155.https://riunet.upv.es/bitstream/handle/10251/9587/559-1047-1-SM.pdf, Click to attach a photo related to your comment. These both have high quality rabbit products and are companies that care about the health of our small animals. Typically, a bunnys urine colorshould be yellow or dark orange. In normal shedding, this should be a A false pregnancy will make your doe pull out its fur to nest even though no babies are coming. Some rabbits may refuse everything except for their favorite treats. Stress: Rabbits are very sensitive animals and any type of stress can lead to health problems, including hair loss. If your (sore hock) is common in rabbits that have been housed on wire flooring, or If your rabbit is sick, the fur loss could be a symptom of something more serious. The above signs are often related to dental issues such as molar spurs or molar abscess. They may even make matters worse if there is an underlying infection. However, some types of fur mites are not easily identified upon visual inspection or on skin scraping. How noticeable is the fur loss depends on the type of rabbit as some longhaired rabbits might seem as if they have an abundant amount, but we can see patches missing if we part their fur. Symptoms may progress suddenly or slowly. - Parasites If you're not sure why your rabbit is losing fur, take him to the vet for a checkup. Keep an eye on the area over the next few days to be sure the wound is healing and doesnt become infected. Over grooming (licking and chewing more than usual). Urine burns can also cause the skin to become red and raw. Rabbits housed in warm, humid climates are more prone to Treatment with miconazole or ketoconazole-containing creams prescribed by a vet is often effective for small lesions. infestations can be extremely itchy, resulting in patchy hair loss in The skin underneath should not be red or inflamed, and the new fur should start to grow back within a couple of days. If your rabbit scratches its skin frequently, then it could be the reason for hair loss. If the rabbit licks themselves continuously, they can ingest a large amount of hair, something particularly common in longhaired rabbits. If you are new to caring for rabbits, check out the Bunny Lady bimonthly newsletter. Furthermore, your rabbit may not show any symptoms of disease other than scratching. Usually, an actual pregnancy takes 31 days, while a phantom pregnancy takes 18 days. problem. - Causes and Treatment, forming hairballs (trichobezoars) in rabbits, https://doi.org/10.1080/10495398.2021.1895186, https://www.hindawi.com/journals/crivem/2014/142813/, https://riunet.upv.es/bitstream/handle/10251/9587/559-1047-1-SM.pdf, My Dog Keeps Licking Her Private Area - All Possible Reasons. He stop drinking water and just eats carrots. Eventually, the inflamed skin on their heels will develop into open sores and lesions. During spring and when its almost summer, your rabbit will lose its heavy winter coat to keep cool during the summer. Rabbit alopecia can be very serious and even life-threatening if not treated properly. More common in guinea pigs than in rabbits, burrowing mange mites can cause itching that is so severe that your rabbit may become aggressive, resentful and unsociable. playtime or free running time. mange. Leaving the condition untreated causes the crustiness to progress until raw lesions cover extensive regions of the body, causing itching and subsequent hair loss. It can be localized to just a small area or be generalized over the entire body. Bunnies also tend to over-groom when bored, so you keep yours occupied and interested in something else. Though less common, rabbits can also be infested with other parasites, such as lice, rat mites, and feather mites. Compare top pet insurance plans. For example, a lack of vitamin A can lead to dry/brittle fur and hair loss. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. restricted to the area around the tail, between the hind legs and sometimes on One common reason for hair loss in rabbits is due to moulting. There are many potential reasons why your rabbit may be losing patches of fur. Any type of fur loss, Fur that is wet for long periods of time can eventually lead to hair loss. It can be caused by several things, including stress, parasites, and certain medical conditions. While it is normal to see your bunny grooming itself, you should also watch out if it becomes too much. It is important to know that alopecia is a symptom and not a disease. Some rabbits might lose more fur than others, but it's generally not a cause for concern as long as the rabbit is healthy and eating well. If pregnancy is impossible, your rabbit is probably experiencing a false pregnancy. The pattern or degree of hair loss, along with other signs and symptoms, can help you determine the cause of alopecia. This is because tropical rat mites permanently reside on a primary host, which is often rats and sometimes pigeons. Moulting usually occurs twice a year and can last for several weeks. Regardless, providing adequate bedding can minimize this behavior. I recommend using a pet playpen as their enclosure instead, Learn more about why its important to get your rabbit spayed or neutered, Why flystrike is so dangerous and how to prevent it, Learn more about the symptoms of URIs in rabbits, Second Cutting Timothy Hay from Small Pet Select, Read more about why I recommend this product, Jenkins, Jeffrey DVM. If you believe your doe has a false pregnancy, get her spayed. This could be caused by stress or being mounted by another rabbit, even a doe. rabbits can also be treated with Program (lufenuron) which stops the formation But what if your doe isnt pregnant yet its losing hair? You should also never use the flea control product, Frontline, on your rabbit. The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. Ringworm is a fungal infection that can cause fur loss and scaling, causing a round bald spot of red, irritated skin. The molting or shedding season can last between two and six weeks. Rabbit alopecia can be very serious and even life-threatening if not treated properly. Written by vets and vet nurses. Rabbits may lose weight and hair as a result of parasitic infection, dental problems, or other health problems. For this reason, AnimalWised looks at why my rabbit is losing fur. associated with the following: Such types of fur loss This doesn't mean you won't see the rabbit pull hair from other parts of the body. 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