Ear canker, or Psoroptes cuniculi, is one of the most debilitating and painful mite infestations a rabbit can experience. Your rabbit has an allergy to something in their environment (including their food). selamectin may alleviate physical and behavioral issues. Moulting - Moulting and seasonal fur loss is perfectly normal. This is a bacterial infection of the skin that often occurs in rabbits with compromised immune systems. Your rabbit is not getting enough essential fatty acids in their diet. Although barbering is a normal behavior, it can be avoided. Im Kevin Miles, and Im one of the main authors of totalrabbit.com. As a pet owner, its natural to worry when you notice your furry friend is losing patches of fur. The skin underneath should not be red or inflamed, and the new fur should start to grow back within a couple of days. When your rabbit is showing signs of pain, discomfort or there are obvious sores, scabs and dandruff showing, a professional is the only person that can truly determine the cause and recommend the treatment. Inheritance of the naked gene and associations with postweaning performance and thermotolerance characters in fryer rabbits from an F2 generation. World rabbit science, 18(4).https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2010.776, 3. If you believe your rabbit is suffering from abnormal fur loss, the first step you should take is visiting your rabbits veterinarian. For rabbits, there is no specific age, breed, or sex that is more susceptible to this disorder. Mucus would be coming out from its nose. In 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? These may include: If a rabbit is stressed and they pull their hair out as a consequence, you are likely to see clumps of fur on their front paws falling out. If your rabbit is losing fur, its important to take them to the vet so that the cause can be diagnosed and treated. It usually causes less itching than the ear cankers and mange, but a bunny would itch if this parasite is present. I now also use this treatment (once a month) as it works for ear and skin mites. Your rabbit will groom itself to keep clean, but grooming could also cause alopecia. If it does occur, it will happen when they are born and is usually due to a genetic anomaly[4]. Luckily it develops as a symptom of a disease. Another condition that can cause dark patches is called superficial pyoderma. Illustrations by Samantha Elmhurst. EGC can lead to hair loss, itching, and ulceration of the skin. If problems develop, immediate care, such as providing warmth, corticosteroids and warm IV fluids will be needed. An overweight rabbit might be too large to scratch themselves properly, something which can lead to a rabbit barbering out of frustration. Your rabbit may lose fur The skin itself may be visibly damaged and open wounds can develop. Rabbits with thin fur on the bottoms of their feet, such as the rex rabbit, may also be predisposed to this condition. Rabbits have long teeth, with equally lengthy roots. I then treated her with Ivermicin liquid (Advocat in my case) I use one drop per kg to the back of the neck between the shoulders and repeat it once a month for 3 months. These infestations and infections can often result in a dermatological disease such as ringworm. Abscesses are large, bald bumps on a rabbits skin. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 201 Skyline Dr, Conway, ArizonaPhone: (501) 499-5946Email: info@totalrabbit.com. In many cases, hair loss can be accompanied by severe itching which can be painful and uncomfortable. 2. The larger seasons last a little longer than the smaller shedding seasons. Their teeth continuously grow, so they need to be trimmed by a vet or constantly nibbling on roughages. These treatments kill parasites rapidly, leaving your rabbits itch-free and symptom-free, thus healing the cause of fur loss. Adequate intake of fiber will also help to avoid other gastrointestinal issues. By themselves, fleas dont cause much fur loss, but they can cause your rabbit to itch excessively, eventually causing bald patches. Learn more about common but subtle symptoms of illness in rabbits. This is because the rabbit has easy access to this area and will often barber it as a reaction to stress. If your rabbit is losing a whole lot of fur, but their coat is still intact, then you probably have nothing to worry about. Over time, however, your rabbit will start to slow down and sleep more. My objective is to help owners to keep their pet rabbits happy and healthy. Ringworm is a fungal infection that can cause fur loss and scaling, causing a round bald spot of red, irritated skin. Always seek help from a veterinarian who has experience with rabbits for Be sure to feed your rabbit a high-quality diet that includes hay, fresh vegetables, and a small amount of pellets. For example, an upper respiratory bacterial infection called snuffles can lead to alopecia around the eyes and nose. However, if the tail is pulled off or cut off, it will not grow back. It can be caused by several things, including stress, parasites, and certain medical conditions. Hi, Everybody! Learn more about how you can get quality hay (even ORGANIC hay!) This is also called fur mite. This is when the rabbit sheds its old fur in preparation for new growth. Rabbit alopecia can be very serious and even life-threatening if not treated properly. A greater hair shedding can usually be observed twice a year when the coat's renewal is complete. The crust, especially around the ear, would have an unpleasant musky smell. Some self-grooming is a completely normal behavior for rabbits, but anxious rabbits can groom themselves so much that they cause bald patches and fur loss. She has been living with us for about three years and has never shed like this before. Your rabbit has a fungal infection such as ringworm 6. Itching can cause loss of fur when the rabbit scratches its skin repeatedly. In addition to skin, rabbits shed fur as well. If you suspect your rabbits fur loss is associated with an underlying health condition, proper treatment can be highly beneficial. 6 Reasons Rabbits Will Flip Over Their Food and Water Bowls. Anxiety: Rabbits are very sensitive animals and can get anxious easily. My Rabbit Is Losing Fur - Alopecia in Rabbits, Why is My Dog Losing Hair? 4. 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. Its caused by the mite, Sarcoptes scabiei and other species of Sarcoptes. Special rabbit grooming brushes can be purchased for this purpose, but often brushes for small dogs or cats will also work if they have rounded tips. Dental problems will cause a loss of appetite as well as saliva burn (responsible for hair loss). Jackson, R., Rogers, A. D., & Lukefahr, S. D. (2006). Your rabbit has a bacterial infection 7. Its also important to You know those teeth are good at eating sticks and salad, but what if the rabbit decides to munch on your My name is Amy and I am the Bunny Lady! They are not always serious, but they can be a result of tooth problems if they appear around the jawline or skull. playtime or free running time. In fact, they shed their entire coat twice a year in response to changes in the weather. the feet and up the belly, chances are your bunny has a urinary tract In normal shedding, this should be a Rabbits lose fur for a variety of reasons, both physical and psychological. as flakes in the skin that resemble dandruff. Drool, or saliva, is caustic, which means it burns the skin. The first thing to know about rabbit hair shedding (also known as molting) is that it is a perfectly normal. Burrowing mange mites can be treated with selamectin, offering relief to rabbits within 24 hours of treatment. She has been living in my son's room and is free to roam around all day. In rabbits, mange appears as whitish or beige crusts that usually start around the edges of the eyelids, borders of the eyes, the mouth, nose, and toes. fleece toweling that cannot be chewed on can help. such as GI slowdown or ileus. If pregnancy is impossible, your rabbit is probably experiencing a false pregnancy. In most cases, your rabbit is fine, but they could have contracted parasites or a skin condition that is causing the hair loss. If you notice your rabbit losing patches of fur, take them to the vet to rule out any medical causes. I had 2 rabbits suffer from fly-strike (several years ago). From 393 quotes ranging from $100 - $300. During the purchase, the rabbit have already had a wound on his back. in clumps, resulting in bald patches. Spaying and neutering are also important for your rabbits health and longevity. 208217 & SC037585, Find out more about PDSA's vet care services. Even with a skin Urine burns can also cause the skin to become red and raw. Rabbit alopecia is a condition that causes rabbits to lose their fur. They also fight for dominance. The Causes of Hair Loss in Rabbits. Your rabbit may overgroom itself, or be overgroomed by a bonded partner. Rabbits are very sensitive creatures and can get easily stressed out by changes in their environment or routine. You can use the button below to see some of the best options for buying hair brushes for rabbits: A female rabbit losing fur might have some specific health issues which are related to alopecia (hair loss). Animal biotechnology, 33(1), 159166. A rabbit can overgroom itself if it is anxious about something. We should put their diet under review to ensure it is optimal for our specific rabbit. You need to take your bunny to the vet to have its teeth trimmed and then change its diet of roughages to a higher one to help trim its teeth. - Parasites keep in mind that natural molting is a seasonal process in rabbits. If you are purchasing anything fromSmall Pet Selectuse the codeBUNNYLADYat checkout to get 15% off your first order. If your rabbit is outdoors, you must regularly check for signs of moisture or skin irritation around the areas where your rabbit cannot reach easily. Also, dental problems can cause drooling and teary eyes, and wet patches around the mouth, chin, and eyes. When this happens, they run the risk of forming hairballs (trichobezoars) in rabbits which can lead to obstructions in the digestive system. Even though topical or mineral oil ointments that are to be instilled in the ears are sometimes recommended for ear mites, theyre not effective. Symptoms of hair loss can progress slowly or suddenly. Avoid permethrin or pyrethrin-containing shampoos and flea powders. There are many reasons why your rabbit might be losing patches of fur. A fly may lay its eggs on infected skin and fur and cause a life-threatening situation within 12 hours. This parasite gets into your bunny ears and produces red-brown crusts in the ear canal, causing severe discomfort for your bunny. She has never met another rabbit, and rarely leaves her room. Abnormal hair or fur loss (also called alopecia), looks a little different than seasonal shedding. Often, your rabbit's itchiness can be prevented by keeping its environment clean. 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. Here are 15 possible causes: While losing some fur is natural and to be expected, its important to be aware that it can be a sign of dominance or an underlying medical issue. One major symptom of stress in rabbits is hair loss which can affect certain parts of the rabbit. The length of time it takes for a rabbit to shed its hair varies from a few days to up to 3 weeks. Fighting: Fighting with other rabbits (aka bunny boxing or bunny Jiu Jitsu) can lead to patchy hair loss as rabbits scrape, bite and wrestle (bunny MMA in the bunny octagon).Bunny bullying is also known as "Barbering" - when one bunny picks on or bullies another. fourth, genetics can also play a role in how much fur a rabbit sheds. Some diseases might be zoonotic, so it is important to ensure these problems are dealt with early so that they do not spread. avoided to prevent serious injuries and permanent grudges between rabbits. Overgrown teeth can also cause drooling and teary eyes in rabbits. This causes pain and severe discomfort. It is important to differentiate between healthy seasonal shedding in rabbits and unhealthy hair loss in rabbits known as alopecia. An infection due to a wound or an infestation due to mites or other parasites are also possible causes. While some play fighting is okay, severe fighting should be The somewhat permanent wet spots around these areas would wear away the fur and cause bald irritated skin. (2010). The fur loss can be extremely itchy and irritating for the rabbit. Blumeto, O., Olivas, I., Torres, A. G., & Villagr, A. Rabbits can catch ringworm from a cat, dog, or other animals that have access to the outdoors since it spreads from direct contact. We discuss these in the sections below. that have never been caged. However, the condition may also occur in rabbits There are many potential causes of this condition, including dental problems, viral infections, and malnutrition. Abscesses can also be an indication of infection or even cancer, so its best to get your rabbit checked out if you notice one of these bumps. https://doi.org/10.1080/10495398.2021.1895186, 2. He stop drinking water and just eats carrots. Moulting usually occurs twice a year and can last for several weeks. Urine is caustic, causing burning in the underlying skin and subsequent hair loss. 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. If our rabbit is losing an abundant amount of hair, it could be due to nutritional deficiencies. If you're not sure why your rabbit is losing fur, take him to the vet for a checkup. When female rabbits are pregnant, they will pluck their fur from their dewlap, chest, and forelegs to use as a lining for a nest. Sometimes, lionhead rabbits may seem to be shedding but in fact they are just losing hair or fur due to some health complications. However, for patchy hair loss, its always best to ensure One condition that can cause dark patches is called eosinophilic granuloma complex (EGC). In the meantime, here are some possible causes of hair loss . We find out more in the video below on signs a rabbit is dying. Fur loss may be restricted to the region under the chin, in the folds of the dewlap or down the chest. If you think stress might be the cause of your rabbits hair loss, talk to your vet about how best to reduce stress levels in your pet. Treatment can return affected rabbits to their normal health, behavior, and energy levels. 4. severe signs of ear mites in rabbits include spasms of the eye muscles and Bunnies can get bacterial infections in places not related to the urinary tract. If your rabbit is allergic to something in their environment, they may start losing patches of fur. I will go over both normal and abnormal patterns of hair loss in rabbits so that you know whether to get medical help or simply learn to live with all the rabbit fur. Sometimes rabbits who are not pregnant will have false pregnancies and exhibit the same behavior. The two brands that I use when buying food for my rabbit areOxbowandSmall Pet Select. If your rabbit is obese, weight reduction is a possible cure. Alopecia is the scientific word for hair loss. Alternatively, bald patches could be a sign that the two rabbits are fighting when youre not looking. Let's get to know further the causes of hair loss in rabbits. Make contact gradually and reassure them continually. As the infestation progresses, It can be caused by several things, including stress, parasites, and certain medical conditions. However, if the rabbit cannot swallow, it could be related to other problems such as inflammation in the throat. Yes, it is normal for a rabbit to lose patches of fur. Dental Problems. Rabbits should never be bathed completely as this can lead to stress, shock, and even death. the best possible treatment. Infectious diseases - this could be a bacterial infection or other. Wool producers may shorten the amount of natural light a rabbit receives as a means to increase hair growth[1]. 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Other gastrointestinal issues in their environment or routine environment ( including their food and Water Bowls years... If the tail is pulled off or cut off, it is important to take them the... Objective is to help owners to keep their pet rabbits happy and healthy grooming could also cause and! The ear canal, causing severe discomfort for your rabbits fur loss also. Rabbit sheds moulting - moulting and seasonal fur loss ( also called alopecia ), a... Completely as this can lead to alopecia around the eyes and nose bald... Food ) normal for a rabbit to lose patches of fur, take him to region. ( including their food ) seem to be shedding but in fact they are not pregnant will have false and... And has never met another rabbit, and wet patches around the,... Stress in rabbits, scaling, causing a round bald spot of red, irritated skin ( ). Get easily stressed out by changes in their environment, they may start losing patches of fur loss and,! Slowly or suddenly, is caustic, causing a round bald spot of red, irritated.! Eyes, and bald spots are more common than the smaller shedding.! Animals and can last for several weeks im one of the main authors totalrabbit.com! To shed its hair varies from a few days to up to 3 weeks sure! Why your rabbit & # x27 ; re not sure why your rabbit will start to slow and. Is present and rarely leaves her room with early so that they do not.... New growth start to grow back may lose fur the skin to become red raw! The region under the chin, and bald spots are more common the... Parasite is present rabbits health and longevity Dog losing hair or fur due to some health complications works! Respiratory bacterial infection called snuffles can lead to alopecia around the eyes and nose dermatological disease such as inflammation the...
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