Bunny Pulling Hair After Move

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This topic has 12sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 7 months ago by Wick & Fable.

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- 01/23/2018 at 3:58 PM
  Hannahbun
  Participant
  6 posts
  Hi everybun,
  
  My bun and I moved apartments recently and he survived the nine hour car ride and didn’t seem too phased by it until I started to realize he’s been pulling his hair. I thought it was just the stress and it would stop after a week or so but it’s been a month now and I don’t know what to do! It doesn’t seem like it’s improving at all and you can see a little bald spot now that looks like it’s growing. He’s moved with me before (with five hour car rides) to two different places and he didn’t exhibit this behavior at all. The only other weird behavior he is exhibiting is that he doesn’t like to go on the hardwood floors and stays mostly to our rug or around the couch. He used to run all over the hardwood floors at my old place so I don’t know what’s different.
  
  Other than the hair pulling, he’s the same ol bun. He poops in his litter, he cuddles, he plays, he eats, etc etc. He’s a free roaming bun and I give him a decent amount of attention everyday; I don’t know what to do! I’m thinking of maybe buying that bitter spray stuff for him? I don’t know much about it though. I would welcome any help, advice, or suggestions!
- 01/23/2018 at 8:42 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9054 posts
  Hmmmm, have you actually seen him pulling hair? Or could it be falling out due to a skin infection?
  
  I think the first step is a vet visit to rule out a health condition. Maybe he had a skin health issue underlying, and the stress of the move made it flair up? Even if he is pulling it, maybe he’s itchy and that’s why?
  
  . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 01/23/2018 at 10:21 PM
  Hannahbun
  Participant
  6 posts
  It’s a bit hard to tell the difference between hair pulling and just regular grooming with him. I just assumed that it would him pulling his hair. I hadn’t really thought of an infection. Could an infection be super localized to one spot? Regardless, I’ll probably bring him to the vet in a day or two. Thank you!
- 01/24/2018 at 4:29 AM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5813 posts
  Infections like ringworm will localize in one spot, so it’s definitely possible!
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 01/24/2018 at 5:24 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  16964 posts
  It’s not weird for buns to not want to walk on hardwood floors. There’s very little traction, so the bun feels vulnerable.
  
  How does the skin look in the area that he’s been over-grooming?
- 01/24/2018 at 9:34 AM
  Hannahbun
  Participant
  6 posts
  There is a lot of dandruff in the area he is pulling. The skin is a little pink looking but it’s hard to see since there is so much dandruff or cracking skin? It might be possible that he has mites. He may have gotten them from the move somehow? I’m taking him to the vet tomorrow to find out! Thanks for all your help!!
- 01/24/2018 at 9:58 AM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5813 posts
  The dandruff/cracking skin can be indicative of skin diseases rabbits can get, so it’s good you’re going to the vet. Keep us updated on your rabbit! He looks so. darn. cute. Like a ciabatta loaf….. haha.
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 01/24/2018 at 10:00 AM
  Hannahbun
  Participant
  6 posts
  Will do! And I know!!! I call him a loaf of bread all the time haha
- 01/25/2018 at 8:50 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17024 posts
  Repeated pulling of fur and licking an area can create a “hot spot”. So it may not be mites. Wooly has pulled his fur before due to stress. The vet actually advised that I give him melatonin when this happens.
  
  Now, this isn’t to say it isn’t mites. Sometimes bunnies can have mites, but their immune system prevents them from taking over. Sudden stress can weaken the immune system and then the mites begin to flourish.
  
  I would have a vet check it out. If it’s mites, it should be easy enough to treat. If it’s purely stress-related, you might need to talk to your vet about what your options are.
- 02/13/2018 at 11:52 AM
  Hannahbun
  Participant
  6 posts
  Hi all! To give an update: the vet said they are treating him for mites (and various other similar things) with a topical treatment and I have my follow-up appointment to apply the second batch in a few days. A part of me thinks that the area where he pulled his hair is looking better and another part of me thinks that it hasn’t changed at all. The vet didn’t specifically know if it was mites or not but seemed confident that it should work. So there’s that.
- 02/13/2018 at 9:14 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17024 posts
  If it’s stress-related fur pulling is can take quite awhile for the fur to grow back. But mite treatment when you’re not sure certainly doesn’t hurt anything. At least this way you’ll have all your bases covered.
- 03/29/2018 at 2:00 PM
  Hannahbun
  Participant
  6 posts
  Bun fur is almost completely well again! The fur started to grow back slowly and now he’s looking really good. Thanks for all your help!!!!!!!!
- 03/29/2018 at 2:11 PM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5813 posts
  Thank goodness! Thank you for the wonderful update and I’m glad your bun-bun is feeling well again
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
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