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Al Kazam the Magic Man Inner circle Living in Perth Western Australia 1042 Posts |
My new mini male rabbit, is losing lot's of hair in the last week. Especially since I've been letting him roam outside of his cage for long spells during the day. I feed him some fresh grass, a little carrot, and dry food from the pet store. He's about a year old.
Anyone got some ideas on why he is losing his hair? It's winter here but quite hot and humid. Temp is about 27 in the daytime and around 20 in the evening. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. JoJo
Magic guy in Perth Australia
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SpiffnikHopkins Regular user Washington DC 135 Posts |
Maybe he thinks it's summer and time for a new coat? Also I think bunnies shed their first coat shortly after birth. I'm sure others will be able to give you advice from their experience as I have none... yet.
~Spiff |
JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
If you're worried, please don't hesistate to call a vet or take him in for a look see. Prey animals--like rabbits--often hide any signs of sickness, so that by the time we notice something's wrong, it's usally quite advanced.
Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Rabbits use their hair as a mat to lay in and also use it for a nest for their offspring. Try putting a pile of hay in their sleeping area. They may first eat it, defecate in it, (Change it) but soon realize that it is bedding and it helps them keep warm.
Rabbits also get mange like dogs. It is best that you do ask a vet or take him to the vet.
Dennis Michael
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Ask your pet shop if they have any special Vitamin A for rabbits that you can add to it's food.
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p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
Hi,
Rabbits can molt several times a year. As you say him, I assume it is a male and not a female having a Phantom pregnacy (they pull out their fur for bedding the young) What breed is your bunny? Sometimes bunnies stick in molt and have short patches for awhile. When your bunny is molting you should watch that they are passing solids as before, as when they lick their fur and digest it sometimes this leads to constipation, (this can kill) if you notice a drop in solid waste passing, ask your vet for advice. He should recommend one of these methods. Katilax basically this is patrolium jelly and beef flavouring used as a laxative in cats. You smear it on bunnies lips and hey presto, he licks it off. The other alternative is.... Get a small syringe and squirt some Pineapple juice in the side of bunnies mouth. There is a natural enzyme in pineapple which dissolves hair. Most people prefer the pinapple method unless it is a serious case because it does not interfere with bunnies other digestive prosseses throwing off his gut flora balance. Phillip |
Al Kazam the Magic Man Inner circle Living in Perth Western Australia 1042 Posts |
Thanks Phil for your great advice. He's a pure white minny with ruby red eyes, but I'm not sure what kind exactly. Not too up on rabbit breeds. Although can tell the difference from a rabbit to a lop. It seems the hair loss is not too bad right now and he doesn't have any bald patches.
If I need to use the pineapple juice that will be quite easy, as it's the season here right now for them. Thanks again, JoJo I took the rabbit to a vet a couple of days ago. She said he was not sick and the hair loss is normal and will last a month or two. She gave me some oil to give him either in his food or by syringe into his mouth. It's crude fat and and omega oils mixed together. Said it will help it to stop and make his hair stronger. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated at this stage. JoJo
Magic guy in Perth Australia
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
The reason could be because he's albino. That is what happen to my albino guinea pigs.
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p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
Hi,
Did your vet mention Probiotics? Probiotic is a substance (white powder) that can be added to your bunnies water and helps keep them healthy. It is not a prescription drug and is normally available in good pet shops. From what I understand, bunnies do not have stomach acids like humans but rather depend on Biotic digestion which is why they eat everything twice, it's kind of the bugs forming a gut flora that break down the food. Probiotics help keep this flora from getting imbalanced. Phillip |
Al Kazam the Magic Man Inner circle Living in Perth Western Australia 1042 Posts |
The vet doesn't speak more that 5 words of English and she didn't mention probiotics as far as I could gather. She only said that he wasn't sick and thought his hair was coming out because of his age. I might have to search around for a vet who can speak English. My Chinese is good, but some fields are lacking, such as animal care. HA!
Thanks for the tips though, JoJo
Magic guy in Perth Australia
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