An overweight rabbit might be too large to scratch themselves properly, something which can lead to a rabbit barbering out of frustration. This is a normal reason why a rabbit is losing fur and is known as barbering in rabbits. types of mites. Slipper is not pulling out her own hair. Several parasites could infect your rabbit and leave it very itchy and uncomfortable. Let me know if you need anything else. Hocks with severe infection or ulceration may require X-rays The treatment will be vastly different depending on the ultimate cause of the hair loss, so its best to see someone who will help you make the right treatment decisions. Follow the Bunny Lady and her bunny partner Elusive and they seek to educate rabbit caretakers and make sure everyone is able to have a happy and healthy bunny in their home. When moisture from humidity or rain accumulates in fur the rabbit cannot easily reach (especially around the backend, the tail/back of the thighs), the fur becomes smelly, friable and severely prone to flystrike. Rabbits can develop alopecia due to many environmental factors and stress, but medical reasons are also possible causes. as flakes in the skin that resemble dandruff. Always look for any cuts, scabs, or fallen fur. Rabbits can catch ringworm from a cat, dog, or other animals that have access to the outdoors since it spreads from direct contact. Like other animals, rabbits experience normal hair loss, usually referred to as shedding. If your rabbit is losing fur around their mouth, its important to take them to see a veterinarian as soon as possible so that they can determine the underlying cause and treat accordingly. Fur mites or Cheyletiella This can mean that one rabbit is anxious in the pair and trying to appease the other, more dominant rabbit, but its not necessarily indicative of any behavioral or health problems. Effects of lighting source as an environmental strategy for heat stress amelioration in growing Californian rabbits during summer season. If left untreated, the crust would cover more areas of the body, causing a lot of itching from your rabbits and would lead to fur falling off. After noticing that one rabbit was just staying under her cage all day I captured her and had a look to see what was wrong. If you are concerned about your pets health, please contact your vet directly. If you cannot find it, take your rabbit away from the environment for a while. If you shave the fur on your rabbit's tail, the fur will grow back. Its also helpful to have your rabbits have large running spaces so that the rabbit getting groomed can keep away from the groomer if needed. If your It is normal for your bunny to shed old fur so taht they can grow new ones, but when it becomes excessive, its no longer normal. 2. Avoid using preparations designed for humans as theyre unsafe for animals that groom themselves. It also causes alopecia when runny eyes and nose leave wet patches on the fur for a long period. This is when a rabbit is drooling, causing the area under their chin to be wet all the time. We find out more in the video below on signs a rabbit is dying. If your rabbit is losing patches of fur, its important to take them to the vet to rule out any medical causes and get treatment if necessary. Itching can cause loss of fur when the rabbit scratches its skin repeatedly. needed. Ordinarily, healthy rabbits do not drool at all. Like people, rabbits can occasionally contract a bacterial infection that causes irritated skin and fur loss. Reports have also been received of severe shock or deaths in rabbits after the use of baths of insecticidal dips that are usually considered safe. culture/sensitivity testing and appropriate antibiotics. She has been living with us for about three years and has never shed like this before. Tropical rat mite If your vet suspects that your rabbits fur loss may be associated with a hormonal imbalance, he may order a blood sample for an analysis of your rabbits endocrine systems, such as its thyroid function. This technique has proven to be effective for the survival of babies, especially in the wild. Symptoms and Types. mildest cases of mange should be treated immediately. If the rabbit has to share their home with another animal. In such cases, there will be other signs to look for, so it is important for every owner to be prepared on how to recognize them. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain. When this happens, the rabbit will suffer an inconsistency when passing out urine. 3. Rabbits lose patches of fur due to parasite infections (lice, fleas, mites, and fungus), urinary tract disorders, dental issues, hormonal imbalances, and bacterial . Some of the common pathological reasons why a rabbit's hair is falling out include: If you see these symptoms when a rabbit is losing hair, then you need to need to take them to the vet. Once you've done a thorough brushing, pet your rabbit with a few long strokes down their back. Other signs include runny eyes, difficult breathing, coughing, sneezing, etc. Typically, a bunnys urine colorshould be yellow or dark orange. If you think stress may be causing your rabbits fur loss, try making some changes to their environment (such as adding hiding places) or routine (such as providing more attention and interaction) and see if that helps improve the situation. severely affected, amputation may be the only way to alleviate the pain. Use of straw and wood shavings as nest material in primiparous does. Your rabbit could pull out large chunks of fur when it tries to groom itself with its overgrown teeth, leaving behind a patch of hairless skin. If a rabbit is suffering from a particular nutritional deficiency, it can affect them in different ways. Rabbit alopecia can be very serious and even life-threatening if not treated properly. One potential cause of a rabbit losing patches of fur is overgrooming. The same goes for fleas. These can grow out of control, and impinge on the tear ducts. Stress Induced Acral Lick Dermatitis in a Domestic Rabbit: A Case Report. 1. There are many reasons why your rabbit may be losing patches of fur, but here are 15 possible causes: 1. But what if your doe isnt pregnant yet its losing hair? Mange is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei or all other Sarcoptes species. This increases the risk of bacterial or fungal infections. Abscesses are large, bald bumps on a rabbits skin. If your rabbit scratches its skin frequently, then it could be the reason for hair loss. (Albinism). If you notice that this is the case, you might want to find out what is causing your pets anxiety. If no spurs are visible, your vet may perform head radiographs for any signs of tooth infection or other mouth issues that may cause the drooling. Burrowing mange mites can be treated with selamectin, offering relief to rabbits within 24 hours of treatment. Compare top pet insurance plans. Your email address will not be published. So you might also see scratch marks on the skin, typically around the ears. Average Cost. If, after discovering the cause, theres only little you can do on your own to stop the hair loss, take your bunny to see the vet for immediate and proper treatment. Its unusual, but occasionally youll find a rabbit who sheds large patches of fur before their new coat starts to grow. So if youre reading this because youre worried about the amount of fur your rabbit is losing, my guess is that you have nothing to worry about. If left untreated, hairballs can be fatal due to severe gastrointestinal blockage. This will remove the loose fur that's on the surface of your rabbit's coat. It really is expected for rabbits to lose a lot of fur during their molting seasons. This can happen when a rabbit is stressed or anxious, and they start grooming themselves excessively, leading to bald spots. caused by many different kinds of mites that affect rabbits, including: Fortunately, parasitic infestations can be treated with modern medications that are safe for lagomorphs. The hocks are the heel of a rabbits foot. Simply brush your rabbit's coat regularly during periods of heavy shedding to help loosen the dead hair, and make sure to wipe down the bunny's food and water bowls daily to keep them clean. Chilling, liver problems, and overheating should also be taken into consideration. The exposed skin will often be dry, scaly or may even display reddish lesions. This is because the rabbit has easy access to this area and will often barber it as a reaction to stress. Rabbits lose patches of fur due to parasite infections (lice, fleas, mites, and fungus), urinary tract disorders, dental issues, hormonal imbalances, and bacterial infections. Even though theyre advertised for rabbits, theyre not safe or effective like selamectin or ivermectin. Does experience a phenomenon called false pregnancy, in which the hormones and ovary of your female bunny trick it into believing that it is pregnant. Ive designed adorable bunny apparel! rabbit loses excessive amounts of fur throughout the year, a trip to the vet is Animal biotechnology, 33(1), 159166. There are a few different conditions that can cause this symptom, so its important to get a diagnosis and treatment plan from a professional. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. How to Prevent Itching and Scratching. Here are 15 potential reasons why your rabbit may be losing its fur. Many rabbits who are overly stressed or anxious will end up comforting themselves by self-grooming. consistent process. Although healthy rabbits will shed a certain amount of fur throughout the year, alopecia in rabbits is an amount of hair loss which is considered abnormal. Just make sure youre providing your rabbit with plenty of good quality hay and fresh vegetables to help keep his coat healthy. This can vary among rabbits, with some being more willing to eat pellets but not hay, others refusing to eat pellets and some even avoiding water. If your rabbit is sick, the fur loss could be a symptom of something more serious. If the situation doesnt change, you might have to keep them separated. 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