bald patch on bunny’s tummy

[Aidan]

Hi I’m Aidan,

I actually just joined this site right now to ask a question, but I’ve been using it for the whole time I’ve had my bunny, if i was ever worried. I have a dwarf rabbit, and i’ve had her for almost 2 years, since she was a baby, and I’ve never had anything wrong with her but right now she just came up tome and flopped over and I noticed a remotely big bald patch on her tummy. She is shedding a bit right now, and has a bit of uneven hair on her back, which is because of the shedding I believe? But on this one patch on her tummy it’s just bald. I read that it would be mites, but I looked at it and there is no dandruff at all, it doesn’t even look dry. 

So when I saw this I picked her up and did a full inspection because I freaked out, and i found these two bumps on her feet. Theres one on the back of each of her feet. Its just a red bump, I read it could be a sore hock, I read it’s common in bigger bunnies, but she’s quite a small bunny and she’s acting completely normal.  She’s eating, drinking, pooping, and peeing, she’s relaxing in a patch of sun right now but this morning she was running up and down my bed, jumping on me trying to wake me up, so I was just wondering if anyone knew what both of these things could be. Of course I can make a appointment at the vet, I just don’t want waste any money, if anyone knows what it is.

If anyone knows what either of these things are it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[jerseygirl]

Hi Aidan

If she is moulting, it could be just normal part of process. Some rabbits get completely bald patches but then the fur grows in shortly after. Keep checking for regrowth.

Is the patch perfectly bald or tufty looking? Sometimes rabbit will pull fur from the belly. Especially if pregnant or going through false pregnancy. They’ll pull from there, the dewlap and sometimes the hind end. The hormones released near time for birthing allow this hair to be pulled out easily.
If she is not desexed, check the room to see if she’s made a nest somewhere with fur. Then you’ll have your answer!

Other possibilities are ringworm or some other fungal skin infection perhaps.

For her feet, is it the back area of the hock where you can see bumps. Rabbits often have a bit of a callus there. Is it pink in colour or looking a bit inflammed?
Do you have carpet in the room? Some types of carpet can be abrasive on the fur and any exposed skin on the hock.
Are her nails kept short? This helps them place their weight evenly on their hocks.

[Aidan]

This morning she was shedding a lot, My room has wood floor, but she has multiple blankets around the room that she sleeps on, the bumps are on the complete back of her foot, but you can’t see them unless you move her fur out of the way. They look just like red bumps but they might be a little inflamed, and I’m not sure what to do about that.

And as for her fur she hasn’t made any nest around my room, but in her little dog bed theres little hairs all around it.But I think thats from just shedding on her back. Around her whole body she has like little patches of shedding hair, but the bald patch is around some shedding hair. And as for trimming her nails, she HATES being held, and I try to respect that, except when I cut her nails because that needs to be done, but I did notice the nails growing to the side. I try so hard to keep her calm when cutting her nails but she just cries and cries. Could the nails have something to do with the blisters.

[Author]

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