Usually, rabbits will also develop sudden picky eating habits. Be sure to feed your rabbit a high-quality diet that includes hay, fresh vegetables, and a small amount of pellets. Mange mites (Sarcoptes scabiei or Chorioptes sp), Saliva burn (fur loss on the dewlap, under the chin and on the chest), Urine burn (hair loss on the hindquarters), Your rabbit may dislike being touched at the ears due to pain. Losing fur can occur naturally, as well as due to underlying health conditions. Nutritional deficiencies: Certain nutritional deficiencies can cause hair loss in rabbits (and other animals). Rabbits can catch ringworm from a cat, dog, or other animals that have access to the outdoors since it spreads from direct contact. A female rabbit losing fur might have some specific health issues which are related to alopecia (hair loss). Rabbits are commonly known for their overgrown teeth. Typically the hair loss will be accompanied by other symptoms that will help you figure out the underlying cause. 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. Then you will receive tips and tricks about rabbit care straight to your inbox so that you know youll be taking excellent care of your new rabbit. I now also use this treatment (once a month) as it works for ear and skin mites. helping your rabbits skin heal with a dry butt bath for rabbits. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain. It can be localized to just a small area or be generalized over the entire body. 3. . I had 2 rabbits suffer from fly-strike (several years ago). Wool producers may shorten the amount of natural light a rabbit receives as a means to increase hair growth[1]. Fortunately, most of these concerns can be treated with medication and additional attention from the owner. your rabbits fur may begin to fall off leaving bald patches. If your rabbit comes into contact with something that irritates his skin, like shampoo or soap, he may start to lose fur around his eyes. You would most likely see the clumps and patches of fur that have been torn out lying around on the floor. Don't overstimulate your rabbit or manipulate it against their will. fur throughout their life cycle and there is no limit to how much fur a rabbit This leads to urine being absorbed by its skin and fur. such as GI slowdown or ileus. Inheritance of the naked gene and associations with postweaning performance and thermotolerance characters in fryer rabbits from an F2 generation. A fly may lay its eggs on infected skin and fur and cause a life-threatening situation within 12 hours. Generally speaking, once you start seeing no crust anywhere, it's a good sign the infection is gone. These both have high quality rabbit products and are companies that care about the health of our small animals. She has many toys that we try to switch out every couple of months. If you begin to notice red spots in your rabbits urine, it is probably the blood, and you should take action, likewise, If the urine is cloudy. There are parasites which can internally, and externally affect a rabbit causing health issues. The above signs are often related to dental issues such as molar spurs or molar abscess. One condition that can cause dark patches is called eosinophilic granuloma complex (EGC). Its caused by the mite, Sarcoptes scabiei and other species of Sarcoptes. Rabbits can lose patches of fur due to a wide variety of reasons. Required fields are marked *. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. While some play fighting is okay, severe fighting should be This doesn't mean you won't see the rabbit pull hair from other parts of the body. 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. The amount of fur a We discuss these in the sections below. These can grow out of control, and impinge on the tear ducts. Fur loss may be restricted to the region under the chin, in the folds of the dewlap or down the chest. Your rabbit has an allergy to something in their environment (including their food). Burrowing mange mites can be treated with selamectin, offering relief to rabbits within 24 hours of treatment. Its also pretty standard for rabbits to have a somewhat shaggy appearance when they are shedding. My rabbit (Slipper) is shedding extensively. infection your rabbit is suffering from. However, it is coming out in clumps when we pet her. Use of straw and wood shavings as nest material in primiparous does. When a rabbit molts, the loss of fur will be generalized and fall evenly over the whole body. One of the most important aspects is the breed as some long haired rabbit breeds will have more to shed. We may also be able to see clumps of fur in their hutch or other places they frequent. Jackson, R., Rogers, A. D., & Lukefahr, S. D. (2006). Many of the causes of a rabbit's hair falling out can be fatal if they are not addressed. Hi, Everybody! Poor nutrition is one of the most common causes of fur loss in rabbits. 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. Tropical rat mite If so, youre not alone. If you shave the fur on your rabbit's tail, the fur will grow back. For example, an upper respiratory bacterial infection called snuffles can lead to alopecia around the eyes and nose. These treatments kill parasites rapidly, leaving your rabbits itch-free and symptom-free, thus healing the cause of fur loss. Let's get to know further the causes of hair loss in rabbits. If rabbits didnt grow up together, it would take time to bond and get accustomed to each other. If you need to know how to tell if your rabbit is getting old, there are some obvious signs. parasites are not difficult to eliminate and treatment often leads to immediate 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. The type of infection will manifest itself in different ways. You need to become more attentive to its behaviors to decipher what the cause could be. As a pet owner, its natural to worry when you notice your furry friend is losing patches of fur. If our rabbit is losing an abundant amount of hair, it could be due to nutritional deficiencies. Make sure to keep your rabbits habitat clean and scoop out their litter box every day. Symptoms of ear mites include: More In some cases, switching to a higher-fiber diet or giving supplements can help. If youve noticed that your rabbit is shedding in clumps, there are a few possible reasons why. Urine scalding will often happen as a result of an unclean living environment. Ringworm: Ringworm is a type of fungus that can affect both humans and animals. restricted to the area around the tail, between the hind legs and sometimes on Caring for this rabbit is usually difficult when siblings are present, so they should be cared for separately. Finally, as rabbits age their fur can start to thin out and fall out more easily. Some may have a rabbit losing fur around their neck, others might see hair loss on the back or under the chin of a rabbit. 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. Moulting usually occurs twice a year and can last for several weeks. Abnormal hair or fur loss (also called alopecia), looks a little different than seasonal shedding. Your rabbit is not getting enough essential fatty acids in their diet. Luckily it develops as a symptom of a disease. This genetic anomaly also generally comes with other health issues and results in the premature death of the rabbit. Finally, stress can also cause rabbits to lose fur. There are few animals which are as susceptible to stress as rabbits. I put together a guide that goes over all the basics of rabbit care so you have it all in one place. Keep your rabbit comfortable while your veterinarian finds the cause of urine As a result, malnourishment can also lead to hair loss in rabbits. Just make sure youre providing your rabbit with plenty of good quality hay and fresh vegetables to help keep his coat healthy. You should also never use the flea control product, Frontline, on your rabbit. Im Kevin Miles, and Im one of the main authors of totalrabbit.com. Its an area that tends to get worn away and causes inflammation, especially as rabbits age. One major symptom of stress in rabbits is hair loss which can affect certain parts of the rabbit. A normal rabbit will shed its fur every three months. Eventually, the inflamed skin on their heels will develop into open sores and lesions. own. During this time, you may notice that your rabbit is shedding more than usual and that bald spots are starting to form. Take action when you notice that your bunnys front teeth are noticeably sticking out. When they hatch, the maggots burrow into the rabbits skin and cause their condition to decline very quickly. Rabbit alopecia is a condition that causes rabbits to lose their fur. It could be a sign of illness, an allergic reaction, or simply because hes getting older. Case Reports in Veterinary Medicine, 142813.https://www.hindawi.com/journals/crivem/2014/142813/, 4. These conditions make rabbits drool. Parasite infestation can be caused by fleas, lice, mange lice, fur mites, mites causing ear canker, and fungus (ringworm). rabbits. Rabbit alopecia can be very serious and even life-threatening if not treated properly. In most cases, your rabbit is fine, but they could have contracted parasites or a skin condition that is causing the hair loss. Chilling, liver problems, and overheating should also be taken into consideration. If you think this might be the case, try switching to hypoallergenic products and see if the problem clears up. This is because the rabbit has easy access to this area and will often barber it as a reaction to stress. However, treatment with appropriate medication, such as selamectin, often clears the problem even if the fur mites cannot be seen. These viruses can cause rabbits to develop sores or scabs on their skin, which can then lead to hair loss. 2. Written by vets and vet nurses. rabbit loses excessive amounts of fur throughout the year, a trip to the vet is Effects of lighting source as an environmental strategy for heat stress amelioration in growing Californian rabbits during summer season. It can be caused by several things, including stress, parasites, and certain medical conditions. Some of these conditions can even be contagious to other species. Viral infections, such as myxomatosis or calicivirus, can also cause rabbits to lose fur around their mouths. If you suspect your rabbits fur loss is associated with an underlying health condition, proper treatment can be highly beneficial. Sometimes rabbits who are not pregnant will have false pregnancies and exhibit the same behavior. A greater hair shedding can usually be observed twice a year when the coat's renewal is complete. The itching caused by fur mites is also not as severe as other Even though dental problems, such as molar spurs, can occur in any rabbit, theyre more common in dwarf rabbits and short-faced rabbit breeds, such as lops. Another possible cause of hair loss is stress. Stress can also lead to other health problems such as digestive issues, so its important to try and keep your rabbit as relaxed as possible. However, some types of fur mites are not easily identified upon visual inspection or on skin scraping. Many mammals go through a natural hair loss process annually, some even more than once a year. If problems develop, immediate care, such as providing warmth, corticosteroids and warm IV fluids will be needed. A rabbit losing fur around their eyes is much a result of eyepiece free. keep in mind that natural molting is a seasonal process in rabbits. 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. She has never met another rabbit, and rarely leaves her room. Bacterial or fungal infection: If your rabbit has a bacterial or fungal infection, it can cause them to lose patches of fur. However, for patchy hair loss, its always best to ensure Theyll have tufts of fur standing out with some areas at an uneven length. rabbits behind if burnt badly, you may have to keep it dry and protected and Wet fur and skin can cause a lot of irritation and itchiness, which will result in fur loss, rashes, or sores. fleece toweling that cannot be chewed on can help. - 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. Greater hair shedding can usually be observed twice a year when the coat 's renewal is complete when you your. Types of fur infections, such as providing warmth, corticosteroids and warm IV fluids will needed. 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