Welcome to both you and Smokey! The pictures didn’t come out, so paging one of the forum leaders (this forum software can be pretty wonky sometimes about things like quotes and image insertion! )

Anyway, I just want to check – is Smokey’s behavior normal-appearing otherwise? Is he active, eating, drinking and pooping? My initial thought is that if he appears in good health overall, it could be just normal shedding/molting – the bunnies have been shedding a LOT this summer for some reason! Once we get these pictures fixed, we can get a better idea of what’s up.

^ image.

Thanks for reposting the picture, Wick. While the picture is fairly small, the bald patch, at first glance, doesn’t appear to be injured, irritated or diseased. Several questions: Does this patch appear, on closer examination, to be healthy (clean, clear, no signs of injury or disease)? Does Smokey have any other bald patches on his skin? Is there any sign of fur starting to grow back? As I already asked, does Smokey appear to be in good health and behaving normally overall? Has he been shedding heavily recently?

Welcome Patrick! I inserted your picture so everyone could see it a bit, since the URL function is being a bit wonky on posts.

This is a great place to learn more information. A few Smokey-specific items and general items:

1) You’ll want to set up an appointment to get a general check-up with an *exotic vet* — which is what we call vets who specialize in animals aside from cats and dogs, and are much more likely to have experience with rabbits — to find out some general rabbit care advice and make sure Smokey is healthy right now. I also recommend cross-checking advice on these forums, as some vets advise treatments or suggestions that other owner’s vets contradict, so it’s a good hub to figure out best course of action. I always advise taking the vet’s advice if hesitant though, as they are the professionals. An exotic vet is important, because many misconceptions about rabbit care are still alive and well in dog/cat vets, as well as vets who are inexperienced with rabbits.

2) There a swollen, bulbous area or irritated skin above Smokey’s nose it seems. It should be smooth, soft fur. I advise seeing a vet for that. There may be a skin irritant, whether it be mites or some underlying condition.
— Could other BB members suggest potential topical remedies? I am not experienced on that topic.

3) Once you solidify Smokey’s age, you can figure out some specifics on the proper diet, which again, is something a rabbit-experienced vet will help you with too.

4) I notice a water bottle on the cage in the photo. If possible, you could add a water bowl, which is generally easier for rabbits to drink out of. It also serves as back-up, so if the water bottle is malfunctioning (which happens often for a lot of brands), you may not notice, but your rabbit will have the water bowl to use instead until you do. It’s also vice-versa, so if the water bowl becomes soiled, the water bottle can serve as back-up.

5) Netherland dwarves are more prone to dental problems (molars growing into cheeks since rabbit teeth don’t stop growing) because of their small heads and jaw size. Try and encourage a lot of hay eating (which is the utmost. essential. thing. to keep a rabbit healthy; it’s practically an undisputed statement), and chewing on safe toys, if Smokey is interested.

6) Read the “Bunny Info” on this website. It’s immensely helpful.

I don’t know if it’s just the angle of the pic or something but to me it looks like most of his face is swollen, like around the eyes also? I’m not sure if that is because he’s biting the food or not though. But considering he is a Netherland dwarf his whole face doesn’t half look bulbous to me and normally they look quite petite. Sorry I have no advice I just wanted to ask wether there was any issues with his whole face or not as it might be helpful for others to know

It’s going to sound like I’m promoting Wick’s instagram, but seriously speaking, you can look at the photos and see how Smokey’s face shape is similar or different than Wick’s. Wick is pretty much a true Netherland Dwarf, which his ears being on the longer-end of the spectrum.

http://www.instagram.com/wick_theboogeyman

— How would you say Smokey compares?

Oh my, that looks infected. Perhaps he got his nose caught on something and had a puncture wound? Rabbits can get abscesses easily.

That doesn’t sound horrible. Vet office fees can range from $40-$100.

My exotic is normal to slightly pricey range. My first appt was –

$68 – Rabbit exam
$39 – Fecal Exam
$22.50 – Ear mite check.

That reminds me that I’ll have to check to see what the usual rates are for regular care (wellness checks, dental exams and tooth care) for rabbits in Northern Virginia. I’ll shoot an email to my Friends of Rabbits associates to find out.

HAha welcome! My bunny is named smokey too!

That’s great that he’s got some medication and has been seen to now. Really sad to hear about the cause of it though. Such a shame that he has had to put up with it and nobody mentioned it to you. Sounds like he’s lucky you brought him home