Fur shaggy and sticking up randomly

Question
Hi there,

I have had my girl Bella (6 years old) to the vet lots of times in the last 3 months. She got bitten by a spider I believe and was very lethargic and ill for about a week. Scab found on her neck. Vet couldn't identify anything so gave her antibiotics. I have had bloods and xrays but the problem is I live in New Zealand and the vets themselves admit they are not very experienced with rabbits.
She started to improve gradually but her coat has remained dull, and sticks up. Looks like someone has roughed her up. Seems to be better some days than others. Also she lost her mate just after she got sick. He had fluid on his chest.
She has remained the same weight and appears to be happy and well apart from that (she/we both went through some intense grieving but I believe we are both through the worst of it.) Would appreciate any advice. I have tried numerous alternative therapies due to lack of a diagnosis from the vets.

Thanks,
Andrea

Answer
Dear Andrea,

The only time we see matted, sticky fur like this is in very stressed rabbits--and usually ones who have just been rescued from being abandoned.  We are not sure why this happens.  I suspect that they are not grooming properly, or that they *are* grooming, and something in the saliva of a stressed rabbit makes the fur very sticky and mat-prone.  It's just one of those mysterious things.

To get her fur back to normal, first try gently combing it with a fine flea comb.  This separates the individual hair shafts, allows you to remove small mats, and restores a more fluffy appearance and texture.  She may be more likely to groom herself once her fur feels more normal.

If this doesn't do the trick, then try gently rubbing her down with a damp, lukewarm washcloth to get the sticky material off her fur, and then blow her dry (warm, not hot!) while combing with a flea comb.  

The double stress of her illness and the loss of her mate has probably taken quite an emotional toll on her, and this can be reflected in depression, unwillingness to groom, and general "not quite herself"-ness.  I hope that you will be able to contact a local rabbit rescuer and allow her to choose a new companion, now that she is feeling better.  This will help keep her healthy and happy.

Hope this helps.

Dana