New rabbit

[Teru]

My rabbit, Neppy, died last week. I've been really sad, and missing him like crazy, so my husband thought maybe another bunny would cheer me up.

Last night he brought me a BIG gorgeous baby. I immediately fell in love with him, but he's not in the best shape. He was wooly fur that is badly matted in some parts and some cuts on his face.

He got him from a vet's office/pet shop. So this morning I went there to ask few questions (hubby knew nothing about him at all)

They say he's aprox 3 or 3 1/2 months old. His mother is an all white pink eyed flemish giant his father died and they couldn't tell me what he was, just that he was bigger than the doe.

He has lived in a tiny 1.5ft wire bottom cage all his life. No real human contact, except for giving him food and such (he is not thin, but has been fed exclusively pellets no hay AT ALL)

Anyway, my point was, all the hair on his rump, legs and sides is badly matted and reek of urine. I can see some pieces that are pulling on his skin. I untangled some hair on top, but the sides, back and bottom are too far gone. Should I take him to be shaven? I've cut the parts that were pulling his skin most. I've never had a wooly type rabbit.

Will he be too cold if they shave him? Will the hair grow back or molt in?

Sorry for the super long rambling.

 

[LakeCondo]

I'm glad you rescued him.

Because he's not socialized much, I don't know if taking him somewhere for a cut would be a good idea. Can you cut [probably with scissors without points to be safe] more of it off, a little at a time until all the mats are gone. Some of the matting/urine could be removed by using unscented baby wipes.

It will grow back, but until then he might need a little blanket to snuggle with.

 

[slavetoabunny]

We have taken in buns with badly matted fur before. In my personal opinion, the best solution is to have a professional shave it. It will grow back and the bun will not be cold. Thank you for rescuing this little guy! I know he will be grateful!

 

[SOOOSKA]

I agree with Patti, my ex found the most beautiful BIG Fluffy rabbit running around a parking lot a few years ago.

He was very matted so he brought him to groomer that had experince doing rabbits. Got rid of all the matts. He didn't need any extra blankets to keep warm he probably liked not being so furry.

After haircut

Susan

 

[Nancy McClelland]

:yeahthat:

 

[Bonnie Lee]

good luck
You have done this little guy such a beautiful favour by taking him in and loving him!

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

It is much easier and safer to get the mats shaved out. Since rabbits have very thin skin, it is easy to cut it with scissors and even blunt tipped ones. With matting, the fur is so close to the skin that you can't really get rid of it all without shaving.
It won't really moult out. Moulting can make it worse and the loose fur from the moult just ends up in the matted mess again.
He may be a bit cold, but the fur does grow back in a couple weeks (at least to the point where they aren't going to be cold). If you live in Mexico, I don't think cold will be too much of an issue. If you have air conditioning or something, turn it down a bit so it's not too cold where he is.

Even though it will be stressful to take him to be shaved, it really is the best way to deal with the matting. I do rabbit grooming and it usually takes less than an hour to shave a rabbit. Even the very matted ones aren't too long.

Long furred rabbits are a lot of work. You have to keep up with the grooming to prevent matting. If you live in a warmer area, you may want to keep the wool shorter so he is more comfortable.

 

[LakeCondo]

If the shaving is to be done at the vet/pet store that sold him to your husband in that condition, I'm not sure I'd take him there unless you have to.

 

[agnesthelion]

Awww great that you rescued him!! Looking forward to seeing how he progresses. Good luck with the matting and his fur. Sounds like the experts have given some good advice.

 

[Nelsons_Mom]

I'm just wondering how a vet could sell and be around sick animals like that. He needs his licence taken away.

Good luck with finding someone to do a safe shave since scissors are so easy to puncture the skin with.

 

[Teru]

Took him to a groomer and they did a great job, they used scissors and detangled some more. He seems much happier now. Poor baby.


Nelsons_Mom wrote:

I'm just wondering how a vet could sell and be around sick animals like that. He needs his licence taken away.

Yeah, I wish. Regulations here in mexico are not good for animals. What is considered cruelty in the US, for example, many times is the norm here.

A lot of vet offices are attached to what they call "graneros" where they sell pet food and live animals. Most of these are unfortunately in unacceptable conditions. Sick , hurt, and malformed animals are kept without any attention, it is really sad. This happens even when a vet runs the business.

This vet's excuse was that his rabbits are rarely bought as pets and he keeps them for breeding stock and meat, I still think he should keep them in better conditions. When my new baby (still no name!)got home he couldn't even hop, I imagine from never being let out of his tiny cage.

It's heartbreaking, but i'm always torn between helping these poor animals and helping their business buy buying from them.

But I think I've gone off topic now



Thanks all for your input!:big wink:

 

[Nelsons_Mom]

So glad to hear he's feeling better! I was actually thinking about him as I went to sleep last night. I know how uncomfortable my woolie girls get if i have to clip out a mat. I can't imagine how painful it must have been to have his whole body be mats!

Don't beat yourself up about supporting his business, he admitted that he rarely sells rabbits but is still willing to stock them, so your one purchase isn't bound to change his ways for the better or worse.