My Californian Rabbit

[LindseyBrown93]

I have a seven month old Californian rabbit, and today I noticed that white splotched are appearing on his normally fully-gray ears. He is my very first rabbit and I don't know whether this is a normal occurence among the Californian breed or if I should take alarm...I already had to take him to the vet once this week already because he was sneezing a lot and I was concerned. They gave him and anti-inflammatory shot, but he is continuing to sneeze. I don't know if this is related or unrelated to his recent change in color.
I'd really appreciate your help!
Thank you!!

 

[EileenH]

If it is hot where you live, that may be the problem. I have a Californian too and asked the same question; his dark brown ears started losing color (they are now almost completely white) and everyone said that happens in the heat.

Here is where I asked and what the replies were:
http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=66739&forum_id=1&highlight=jake

Hope that helped.

 

[LindseyBrown93]

It stays around 78 degrees F in my house. Do you think that's too warm for my rabbit? I can get a window AC unit if I need to, I'm just worried about him. Plus I love his gray ears! :/

 

[EileenH]

I'm not sure if there is anything that will stop it, but if you have a window A/C it's worth a shot; rabbits like cooler weather better anyway. I don't know much about it myself since it's my first summer with a Californian. Hopefully somebody with more experience will add some words of wisdom.

I hear you about the ears, I loved Jake's dark ears (and nose, his nose is almost white too!) but I am told once they molt the dark colors come back. We'll see..

 

[WhatTheRAWR]

Rabbits can get dehydrated and get heat stroke at that heat so I'm not sure if that is the cause. I wouldn't think so. Maybe it's just something that happens at a certain time in a californian's life.

Hope this helps.

 

[LindseyBrown93]

Right now it's 76 degrees F, he certainly isn't dehydrated, and he doesn't appear to be discomforted by the temperature...it's a comfortable room temperature for humans, does my rabbit require cooler climates than I?

 

[LindseyBrown93]

PS. I really do appreciate all of yall's help!

 

[WhatTheRAWR]

I think he would probably be better with a little less heat. I've researched ear colour changing in Californians and it's nothing to worry about. It just changes because of heat and/or lighting. So that means their ears must be temperature/light sensitive.

Don't worry!

 

[MagPie]

It's basically like a siamese cat. The darker fur will keep those certain body parts warmer. So if you live in a pretty warm area anyway, the fur will lighten to reflect the heat/light away.

 

[hillrise]

Yeah, Californians just lighten up on their ears (and nose) during the warmer months. About the only way to prevent it would be to keep your house about 60 degrees year round.

 

[TinysMom]

My Californians have had their ears and nose markings lightening up too right now.

I wouldn't worry about it.