New to the forum, have health issue

[hexefeuer]

Hello!

I have 2 full grown rabbits.. that surprise! gave me babies. only 2 out of the 5 lived, and one is healthy, and growing at a steady rate, and looks like a baby bunny.

the other how ever looks horrible, he is barely starting to get bigger, is half the size of the healthy one, has flakey skin, his eyes are barely open but have crusties on them all the time. he is eating, and runs around like crazy sometimes, but I am unsure as to what to do about his skin issue. he has some fur in some places, but his belly is furless, and parts of his legs are too. he scratches all the time. Comments? suggestions?

Once I have the money to I will be taking him and the other one to the vet. They are about 2 weeks old.

If pictures are necessary I will be happy to post.

Thanks!

 

[Flashy]

This may get moved to the Rabbitry.

Do you know what breed your rabbits are? Are mum and dad both healthy?

Also, have you now separated them? You might find that you have another litter 31 days after this litter because rabbits are most receptive right after giving birth, and if mum and dad were still together then they may have already 'done the deed' again before you managed to separate them.

I don't personally know enough about baby buns to know what to say but hopefully someone more knowledgable will come along in a bit.

 

[pamnock]

I would try a tiny bit of Ivermectin to deal with the skin problem as well as a little Nutri Cal (for cats/dogs) to boost immunity and also help with the skin problem.

Pam

 

[hexefeuer]

well the parents have been separated, we just let them play together, not knowing one was a female.

both are healthy, i dont know what the mom is, and the dad I have some info on but not off hand with me right now.


we plan on getting the male fixed once we can afford to!

 

[hexefeuer]

pamnock wrote:

I would try a tiny bit of Ivermectin to deal with the skin problem as well as a little Nutri Cal (for cats/dogs) to boost immunity and also help with the skin problem.

Pam

and this would be safe for 2 week olds?

 

[aurora369]

I moved this to the Rabbitry as is this issue is dealing with young babies.

Hopefully some more breeders can provide some more advice.

Is it possible for you to post some pictures?

Pam is a very knowledgeable breeder and ARBA Judge. Perhaps she can post some more detailed instructions for you.

--Dawn

 

[pamnock]

hexefeuer wrote:

pamnock wrote:

I would try a tiny bit of Ivermectin to deal with the skin problem as well as a little Nutri Cal (for cats/dogs) to boost immunity and also help with the skin problem.

Pam

and this would be safe for 2 week olds?

A very tiny amount of Ivermectin can be used (keep in mind that some rabbits are sensitive to the drug and may have an adverse reaction).

Nutri Cal is fine for a 2 week old.

Pam

 

[hexefeuer]

Here are some pics - and thank you! I appreciate all the information and help!

 

[aurora369]

Awww, poor little thing...

I hope you are able to get him all better so he can grow up nice and strong.

--Dawn

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

Almost looks like mites to me...are the rabbits housed outside?

 

[hexefeuer]

OakRidgeRabbits wrote:

Almost looks like mites to me...are the rabbits housed outside?

no they are inside, always have been. the parents we would take outside to let them run around and play, but the babies have not been outside the cage.

 

[tonyshuman]

I'm not very experienced with baby bunnies, but it looks like it could be vent disease/syphillis to me. It is not at all uncommon for only one rabbit of a litter to show symptoms. They probably got it from their mom. I expect that both the mom and sibling have the disease but are asymptomatic.

It could also be fur mites, or a fungal skin infection. If the nest was at all dirty or wet, and this baby sat in it for too long, it could have gotten a skin infection.

Pam can probably tell from the pics whether it is syphillis, mites, or fungal, so she can help you determine if the right treatment is ivermectin or an antibiotic. I would treat the mom and sibling as well, because they have at least been exposed to the mite/virus/fungus.