Growling, pouncing, biting. Health issue? UPDATED

[jerseygirl]

I don’t know if this belongs in Behaviour forum but I feel it’s health related.

This past week Jersey is acting really temperamental. It’s not unusal for her to growl or pounce normally but it’s usually predictable and not worrisome. She growls and runs in circles everyday before pellets. This week though, she is out of sorts. She came barrelling out of the hidey box the other day and “attacked” even though I was 2 metres away. If Rumball is close by when she’s fired up, she’ll nip him but I don’t think she’s aggressing toward him. He’ll follow her back into the box and grooming ensues so they are fine. Rumball doesn’t seem taken aback by her antics.

It’s me she is really ansty towards.  She’s a bit like it when I’m putting food out.  I can normally pet them both easily while eating.  I am able to give her pets randomly and she’s fine but then something sets her off.  Touching a sensitive spot of her face? Hand in front of face? I don’t know!   She just seems super sensitive.  She’s even bit me on the leg this week and I don’t think I did anything to trigger it. I was standing in the bunny area so she was hanging around, probably waiting to see what I’d give her.

I’m wondering if there is something going on healthwise? She seems to be eating/toileting just fine. She is shedding and has completely bald patches.  This shedding has been going on since October.  Rumball also has shed to skin but not as much as Jersey. I’ve found very small scabs in some places around his hind end where the patches are. Could this be fur mite activity or just old skin?  So I’m wondering if perhaps both are suffering fur mites & maybe this is causing Jerseys aggression?  Would the fur grow where fur is lost due to mites though? The previously bald patches are growing in.

[FluffyBunny]

Is it possible that there’s a new scent on you? Have you started using any new perfumes, air fresheners, shampoos, etc. or started hanging around any other animals recently?

Does she have any dry skin on the bald spots? That’s one of the main symptoms of fur mites. Personally, I think it’s a little concerning that she even gets bald patches in the first place. How large are the bald spots?

[Isabelle]

Dutchess has been acting weird too, she bit/scratched my arm when I tried to stop her digging behavior, and she’s started batting at me and growling! I can’t think of anything weird that’s happened the past few days for me either.

I agree with Fluffybunny about the bald spots. Dutchess has never gotten any of those when she sheds, is she fur pulling it out? I think that could be a symptom of mites.

[jerseygirl]

No new lotions, shampoos, animal scents etc. I was thinking of those things actually when I was posting. Trying to think what is up.

The bald patches are about an inch to two inches wide in some places. She’s not pulling it, I pull off the loose fur and it just comes out. She’s never shed like this before. Rumball usually has a constant fine molt but he has these spots too. I find them when I groom. I work at certain parts that feel knotty (his fur is  dense) and the fur comes away easily. They actually settle down when I pull away the really loose stuff. Since both of them have it happening, I’m thinking it’s either seasonal/weird molt thing or maybe mites.

Oh, no dry scaly skin or anything.

Edit to add.

 This patch has new fur.

[Elrohwen]

I think I would take them to the vet. Her behavior could definitely be a result of being uncomfortable or in some pain about something, and the heavy shed since October seems strange as well. If she always shed out to bald patches I wouldn’t worry, but since it’s a new thing for her it could indicate some sort of problem.

[RabbitPam]

I’m inclined to agree with that. I think it is a good time to take her to the vet, and Rumball too if he is at risk of having any active mites.
She probably is really uncomfortable with this big a shed if it’s the first time, but it does seem way too long to still have it going on, though if the shed was once in October, then starting again in Jan. that’s a bit more normal. It’s the combination of everything that points to getting a medical clearance from the vet before continuing. I had wondered about a perfume, clothes dryer (those bounce things that scent your jeans?) smell, etc.

Or, let’s face it. She just doesn’t like you. Eat a breathe mint. (Kidding!)

[jerseygirl]

I do want to take them in. I guess I posted to sound it out on the board. See if it warrants a visit or not. I feel like a hypochondriac in relation to them sometimes. As you know with house rabbits, you notice every little thing.

Thanks for the input guys. I think I might ask for a treatment (revolution or whatever) to give regardless. You can treat with this even if mites aren’t confirmed can’t you? Like we might use a lice shampoo ourselves “just in case” if we know we’ve been around lice?

 

Or, let’s face it. She just doesn’t like you. Eat a breathe mint. (Kidding!)

 

It’s true! She only lets me stay because I’m the one who buys the food. *sobs*

[GrumpyBun]

I have nothing useful to add. Just want to to say I’m interested and awaiting updates. *hugs*

[LittlePuffyTail]

I tend to associate any significant change of behavior with something going on internally. Could just be something very minor. Animals are creatures of habit and don’t usually change their routine or temper for no reason. Whenever any of my animals starts acting oddly I monitor them very closely.

[MimzMum]

I have to say, although a vet visit would be champion and I agree it should be done, I feel your pain, Jerz…Pip has been shedding since October on and off also. I’m pulling big clumps out again today. She never likes having this done and is very territorial and grouchy. As soon as anything like food is coming her way, she goes ballistic. Girl bunnies…OI!

The only other thing I’m thinking besides illness is: could she be picking up on your weird weather down there in Oz? Kind of like how MarkBun’s Maryann can sense earthquakes? Perhaps she’s in survival mode knowing that something’s up weather-wise?
Please keep us updated, and healing/calming vibes to you and Jersey!

[Kafrn]

Jersey, Have you seen Sallys Pampering pack for bunnies?

— We offer a $30.00 spruce up treatment which includes a bath, crutch shave for dirty bunny bums, nail trimming, ear cleaning plus worming, flea, lice and mite treatment to pep up your bunny buddy.

She will also do a full checkup etc while bunny is there. Im taking Mr Bunny in next week if you would like to come with for some Bunny Pampering? Hes shedding really bad

[LittlePuffyTail]

Wow, a bunny spa day! That’s so funny because I would spend $ on something like that for my rabbits but never myself!

[GrumpyBun]

JG – how is Jersey doing now?

[jerseygirl]

Thanks Grumpybun. She’s pretty much back to her normal level of predictable sass. Still jumps at my hand particularly if direct in front of her face. I’m thinking about vet for this coming friday as I’m still removing fur. I do wonder if she was a bit hormonal. (or maybe I was – lol) I found some wax like droplets around that week and some small waxy poops or something – weird! Maybe over producing scent glands?

@ Kafrn, I’m sorry I hadn’t seen your offer! I’m too much of a sucker though to travel that far with them. The 15mins to the vet stresses them enough. But thank you!

[GrumpyBun]

Very strange. Please let us know if you take her to the vet.

I have a feeling if there was a dictionary entry for rabbitude it might read “Rabbitude: see Jersey, Aus.”

[jerseygirl]

LOL

[Lintini]

Oh I missed this thread, how are things now?

[jerseygirl]

Actually, about 3 posts up is about where it’s at Lintini. I only replied today(yesterday?). We have public holiday here tomorrow so I’m thinking I’ll get in a vet visit fri before the weekend. Don’t want to get caught out over the weekend. I kinda think I’ll be told not to worry… Wish I could pick vets brains over the phone. She did see them in Nov and saw Jerseys patches then. I just hate to stress them out taking them but if there is something unusual going on with the fur loss then I’d kick myself if I didn’t take her in.

[Lintini]

I’ve kinda been out of the loop and not reading much as I normally do, after just getting well from being so sick for 2 weeks and starting classes again I am sorry I missed this! But it is almost 6am and I haven’t slept yet

Well I hope she is alright…Indy has been super pellet aggressive too lately and I don’t know if it’s because he doesn’t want to share with Bumbum or if he is grouchy from shedding. It has gotten so warm starting last week all my buns are shedding now!!! ITS CRAZY! So many grouchy buns!

I’ve never seen fur loss like that, I hope she is well and it’s just a massive shed *vibes*

[jerseygirl]

The weather has been odd. Maybe we’re going to see weird molting this year? I’d be happy to attribute it to the weather, at least it’d pass.
You call Bumble Bee “BumBum”? lol, That’s my nickname for Rumball too!

ETA: Appt for next week now.  At least Jersey is acting normally again, so it’s just the fur thing I need looked at.

[Kafrn]

If u had a webcam set up, the vet could watch them online!

[jerseygirl]

I had the rabbits checked on Friday. The vet did find some mite eggs but no actual live mites. Stiil, if there’s eggs, there’s mites. So both got a ivermectin jab and have follow up ones over the next 2 weeks. She thinks this is most likely why Jersey is shedding this way just from length of time and it being unusual for her. I’m kind of glad to know now and that it’s nothing more serious.

Poor Rumball. I removed a little scab with fur so the vet could check it under the microscope. I thought I was gentle but when I rechecked the area the skin had torn. It was a tiny bit but the vet put a couple staples in just to be safe. At home, he ran off every time he saw me. : ( He seems to have forgiven me now.

Well see how Jersey goes behaviour wise after the treatment. It may have been due to this or maybe a hormonal surge of some sort (???) She acts “hormonal” somtimes. *roll eyes*

[GrumpyBun]

At least you have an answer!

Poor Rumball! Oxo isn’t talking to me either: he had a piece of hay on his cheek yesterday and I reached to take it off, completely missed and poked him in the eye. Oops.

Glad to hear it’s something minor, if you see what I mean.

[Elrohwen]

I’m glad to hear it’s something minor and fixable! I hope Jersey’s attitude turns around once she’s feeling better.

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