rabbit chewing her skin

Question
My son's rabbit was just pulling her fur out, but now she has gone to the skin, it is bleeding, etc.  how do I get her to stop? she is eating and behaving normally otherwise.

Answer
Dear Delight,

Your bunny may be pulling her fur due to a false pregnancy that's telling her to build a nest (bunnies line a nest with fur pulled from the sides, chest and belly).  But it's not usual for them to pull so hard that they actually bleed!

I would get her to a good rabbit vet:

www.rabbit.org/vets

for examination and treatment for mites or fleas, if necessary.  Please see:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/furloss.html

But also have her examined to prepare for a spay operation, which will prevent any future false pregnancies and remove her very high risk of uterine cancer.  Please see:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/spay.html

I hope this helps.

Dana