Worried about one of our Netherland Dwarfs

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 11sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 10 months ago by Phil.

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- 05/03/2020 at 4:33 AM
  Phil
  Participant
  6 posts
  One of our nethies, seems to be missing some fur around the lower part of her eye, no weeping, just looks like the fur has fallen out!
  
  Does anyone have any idea what this could be?
- 05/03/2020 at 4:43 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Is she with another rabbit? If she is bonded to another, its possible her mate is overgrooming her. They really focus on the eyes.
  
  How does the bare skin look there?
- 05/03/2020 at 4:46 AM
  Phil
  Participant
  6 posts
  Yes, her brother is with her. He does always groom the eyes, I’ve noticed this.
  here is a picture.
  
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- 05/03/2020 at 5:33 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  It does look reddish. I would guess at him grooming her there too much. Its also referred to as “barbering”.
  
  Can you tell us more about them in general? Their age, how long they’ve been together, what space they have access to, any health issues either have had before etc. Could there be any new sources of stress in the home? (Grooming can be a self-soothing behaviour)
- 05/03/2020 at 5:36 AM
  Phil
  Participant
  6 posts
  Yes of course! They’re approaching one year old, been together their whole life.
  
  They have access to our entire house, free roam as they please. Only health issues they have had previously, is after she was spayed, she went into a bit of shock, and ended up with gutstasis, but this was a while ago, and have been fit and well since.
  
  There has been no change to their life style, other than the stress of cleaning out their cage, from ruining their hard work as in their forms! 😂
- 05/03/2020 at 5:59 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  A pretty good life then!
  
  It doesnt sound like there is any disruption to their normal life. Sometimes the barbering can happen if the “barber” is stressed, or has some physical discomfort. It can be difficult to try deter the behaviour, especially in a bonded pair!
  
  You try applying an ointment to the skin there. It would help her skin, but could have the added bonus of putting him off. Or it could go the other way and he feels he need to clean her there more often. Other then that, maybe some new chew toys, a soft toy in the hopes that he groom that instead. Salt licks are generally not needed for rabbits but Im not sure if they’re particularly harmful. Will need others to weigh on with opinions on that. I just wondered if he’d be drawn to that instead, however, you also dont want him licking one too much.
- 05/03/2020 at 6:56 AM
  Bella The Bunny
  Participant
  15 posts
  My boy rabbit loves to groom stuffed animals so I think that would be good! 🙂
- 05/03/2020 at 7:15 AM
  Phil
  Participant
  6 posts
  Thanks everyone! I will get them a stuffed toy for them and give it a go!
- 05/03/2020 at 7:40 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17228 posts
  No strange sounds recently? Even sounds that seem harmless and we wouldn’t give a second thought can set a rabbit off. Construction, drilling, fireworks… speaking from experience here. LOL
- 05/04/2020 at 1:13 AM
  Phil
  Participant
  6 posts
  Not at present! It’s been rather peaceful here at home.
  
  He has always had a habit of grooming her, just never seen this happen before. He is always around her eyes and face.
- 05/04/2020 at 4:11 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  It’s possible if she does have something going on with her eye, that he is cleaning it up all the time. So you might not get a chance to see if it’s tearing or get some gunk. Something to watch for.
- 05/04/2020 at 8:16 AM
  Phil
  Participant
  6 posts
  So she had just woken up from her daytime nap, (her brother is still asleep) and her eye is dry, and clean. Also, they seem to be interested in grooming the soft toy! Thanks for that idea!
  
  Her eye is looking less red today!
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