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gray ears

22 10:01:42

Question
Obama
Obama  
QUESTION: Hi,
I have a lop-eared rabbit who is albino (and I named him Obama haha). I got him last January and he was about 4 months old.  I have noticed that as time has gone on he has gotten more and more gray over the ears and his nose and I was wondering if I should be concerned that he is graying so early or if he is ok? He has still been very energetic and there don't seem to be any changes in behavior but he isn't even 2 years old yet and he's graying so I have just been a little worried. I would really appreciate some advice on this one!

Thanks,
Lee

ANSWER: Hi Lee,

First I would like to tell you that Obama is about the most hilarious name I have ever heard for a white bunny.

Now about your bunny.  I have a strong suspicion that it is not an albino at all.  My best guess would be a Himalayan colored rabbit with dilute factor, meaning it could be what we refer to as an ermine/frosted pearl/sallander.  A Himalayan will always have red yes and if it is a dilute color (blue,lilac) the ears and points could easily be miss-identified as an albino (or technical name is ruby eyed white).  Basically as the rabbits age their points which would be the ears and nose will darken.  The other possibility would be if someone had bred a broken pattern rabbit to a rabbit carrying the himi gene.  Again these rabbits would have red eyes like an albino but could essentially cause the rabbit to look completely white.

Is there any way to get me a photo of the bunny so that I could look at it?  You could send it in a follow up question.

I am going to see if I cant find some photos of the rabbit color I suggested and post them.

http://www.treherneminis.com/MoonlightAugust.jpg

I really don't think you have to much to worry about with the coloring.  As long as the bunny is acting normal in all the other ways (eating/pooping etc).  Of course if he has any change in any of these activities you would want to take him to the vet.

If you want me to take a look at him feel free to send me a photo.

Enjoy Obama!

Pam


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

adorable little biter
adorable little biter  
QUESTION: Hi Pam!

Thank you so much for your prompt response and I must say that I have found this website extremely helpful.  After reading some of other people's questions and answers I have changed a few things such as giving Obama extra water that is in a dish in addition to the bottle in his cage (I do both just in case the dish spills he still has extra water in the bottle) and he seems to be very happy with this because it's at his level and more comfortable to drink from!  

As for the graying, it's a relief to hear that it is a normal part of his cycle as a non-albino!  Haha I had no idea that he might not be albino because when I got him he was completely white!  Thank you for that help.

I have another question though about behavior.  When I first got Obama he was a bit aggressive at times and I was told having him neutered might help with that and prolong his life because it prevents other health problems that plague bunnies so I had that done and he calmed down after a while and was a very good boy.  He still nips/bites every once in a while but the growling and biting went down tremendously.  However the other day he bit me harder than he's ever bit anyone before when I reached into his cage to feed him.  He tried to bite again later and I was wondering if there is a reason for that or anything I can do to put a stop to this new phase before it takes hold.  He still seems to be eating and drinking just fine.  He has been grooming himself a bit more but not in a particular spot.  He also seems to get a bit crankier when his cage is dirty so I try to stay on top of that but every once in a while it lapses are these normal behaviors?  What can I do to stop the biting? Could it have something to do with our dog interacting with him more that he's getting territorial?  They seem to get along and the bunny even seems to enjoy running around with the dog chasing (I always make sure I'm there so that nothing happens and I pick up Obama when I think Hendrix, our dog, might be stressing him out too much).  

Also, as you asked, I will include another picture of Obama so you can see what my adorable little biter looks like.  Thank you again for your help.

Lee

ANSWER: Hi Lee,

Rabbits can become extremely cage aggressive.  Indeed neutering can cut back on their hormonal behaviors but they consider their cage their home.  If he is only biting while in his cage my guess would be that he is protecting his area.  I have had great success with these types of biters by allowing them to come to me and playing with them in a neutral area.  One of the biggest issues with these type of biters is that if they are allowed free roam then suddenly the whole house becomes 'their area'.

This article below has excellent advise and are most of the techniques I have used.  She is talking about female biters but the same principles apply.  Personally I would never recommend an unspayed female as a pet to anyone.  Because Obama is a boy I really think by using her techniques that you can correct his bad biting habit.

http://www.wisconsinhrs.org/Articles/The%20Biting%20Rabbit.htm

It is my firm belief that a rabbits disposition can be learned while it is still with its parents.  I raise rabbits and would not even consider breeding any animal that has a temperament issue.  On our farm when we get rabbits like this they are spayed/neutered and bonded and get to live out their lives in a bunny sanctuary we have set up.  However I don't know where you got Obama but there are just so many irresponsible breeders that are either breeding for show animals or backyard breeders who don't really care what kind of animals they produce.  Basically no matter what you try he may just have a bad disposition to biting and you may have to learn ways to deal with it.

You said you had him neutered so I am sure that you also had him examined by a rabbit savvy vet.  He looks like he may be a mini lop or at least part mini lop.  Lop eared rabbits have massive heads.  The way their heads grow they are prone to teeth issues.  Basically their heads can grow so fast that their jaws cant keep up.  If you have not already done so I would have the vet check both his front teeth for malocclusion and his back teeth for molar spurs.  These can be very painful and could certainly cause any bunny to bite.

Unfortunately it is very difficult for me to help over the internet but I think with time and patience you should be able to get Obama to be a gentleman.  If you are unsuccessful at correcting his behavior on your own I would recommend that you contact your local HRS chapter.

http://www.rabbit.org/chapters/index.html

These folks are just great people.  We had one rabbit that we could not rehabilitate on our own and the HRS chapter in our area actually sent an expert out to help us.  We had to modify the way we interacted with him but he no longer bites.  Unfortunately we cant hold him but at least he isn't chasing us around the house biting the back of our ankles anymore.


Obama is a beautiful blue Himalayan color.  I don't know how old he is but he really does look like a mini lop or even a larger holland lop.  He is a gorgeous rabbit and I can certainly see why you must love him so much!!

Good luck and I hope the article on training helps.

Pam


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

Obama and Hendrix
Obama and Hendrix  
QUESTION: Hi Pam,
Just wanted to thank you again and I had him checked before I had him neutered but it was a while ago would you recommend I have him checked again?  I have checked his front teeth to make sure that they are not growing over in a way that would hurt him.  Maybe to save money I will have someone who works at the pet store we got him from look at him?  Or is it something only a vet could spot?  He is a good boy I don't think I need to give him away it really is mostly his cage and sometimes just when he hides under a chair and doesn't want to be bothered so hopefully it's just that but thank you for the tip!  And I will read the article and work on the other stuff thanks again! Obama thanks you too haha.

Sincerely,
Lee

Answer
My personal opinion is that there aren't too many pet store employees that know a whole lot of rabbits.  Sometimes you get lucky and get some very knowledgeable owners/employees.

The back teeth can only be checked by a vet.  They need to use a special instrument to get a good look at the back of the mouth.

If his issue is more with the cage and his private places you are probably just dealing with the cage aggression type behavior.  Unless he stops eating or is obviously sick I would just have the vet check him at his next check-up.  It is a good idea for bunnies to get check-ups about once a year.

Try some of the tips in the article and if you are still having issues then I would certainly get him in for another exam.  Keep in mind that changing his behavior may take quite a bit of time.  

Someone once told me that rabbits that chase you around the house and bite you are more intelligent and are trying to see what they can get away with.  Maybe Obama is just so smart that he will become the next president!!