enlarged neck

Question
QUESTION: My ruby eyed rabbit, Marcus has developed a pouch like growth under his neck.  What is it?
Linda

ANSWER: Dear Linda,

If your bunny is just about a year old, and the pouch is soft, pliable, and pretty much feels like skin and fat, then it is probably just his dewlap.  This is less common in males than females, but some individual males get a dewlap, and in some larger breeds both sexes develop one as they age.

The dewlap is normal, and though no one really knows its function it's a cute little chin pillow.

If the lump is hard, then it needs to be seen by a good rabbit vet ASAP:

www.rabbit.org/vets

since this would be more indicative of an abscess or tumor, and not be benign.

I hope this helps.

Dana

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

QUESTION: Marcus is eating his own ear.  Does this mean that he is psychotic or hungry?
Linda

Answer
Dear Linda,

If he is actually mutilating the ear, he needs to be seen by a vet to deterimine the cause of the pain/discomfort that's making him do this.  Ear mites or fleas can make a bunny go nuts with itching and chew madly at his ear.  But other than that, rabbits do not tend to neurotically mutilate themselves the way parrots or dogs might do.

I would get him to a good vet for a checkup ASAP:

www.rabbit.org/vets

I hope this helps.

Dana