dribbling rabbit

Question
QUESTION: Hello, our pet dwarf lop has developed a bare patch under his chin about the size of a nickel? that has no hair and looks a bit soft/lumpy with a slight crust on it. He is eating ok and seems to be himself otherwise. Do you have any suggestions as to what it might be? He is due for a dental check up. He also likes to rub the underside of his chin (where the problem is) on everything in his run - it almost seems like a territorial thing - is there a scent gland there perhaps? Thanks for your help. Maree

ANSWER: Dear Maree,

Yes, your bunny has a scent gland on his chin, and the chinning is a territorial thing. But that's not why he's got a bald spot.

If the area is a bit damp and crusty, the the most likely explanation is that he's drooling a little.  Saliva is caustic, and it will burn skin so that the fur falls out.  The most common cause of drooling is molar spurs, so it's good that he's due for a dental exam.  I'm guessing he's got spurs that need to be filed down.  Please read:

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

If your vet isn't an expert in rabbit dentistry, then you might wish to check the list linked here to find someone who is very experienced with rabbit dental filings:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Hope that helps!

Dana

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

QUESTION: Thankyou Dana for your prompt reply and thankyou for being a volunteer. Since my bunny's last dental check I have put him on a diet of hay, grass fresh vegetables and some apple. Is there anything else I can do to stop the molar spurs developing? He has had more dental work than I have had in my entire life and although I consider him to be a member of our family, I am concerned about high ongoing costs.
Thanks, Maree

Answer
Daer Maree,

You're giving him all the right things for best prevention of molar spurs.  Unfortunately, many rabbit breeds (especially dwarfs and lops) are prone to slight molar malocclusions that will lead to spurs all their lives.

The only thing I've ever found that completely stops this problem--at least in the rabbits we've had--is several hours a day *outdoors* eating real grass, fresh from the lawn.  The problem is that few people have a completely predator-proof garden, and it is vitally important to supervise your bunny if he's outside and vulnerable to attack from a local cat, fox, or even bird of prey.  

If you can construct a covered outdoor run for him, this would help.  It should have a large area of grass, as well as shrubs and other cover for him to rest and be in the shade when he wishes to be.  It must also have a refuge box for hiding when he feels threatened.  And it's still best for someone to be keeping an eye out, even when he's in the covered pen, to be sure there are no problems.

The grass must be pesticide and fertilizer free.

That sounds like a lot of work!  But if you can set up such a play area, I am betting his teeth will improve.  Our big New Zealand White, Isabella, had the worst premolar malocclusion our vet had ever seen:  they practically grew in sideways, facing each other over her tongue!  But because she lived outdoors (she insisted on living with our hares, and thought she was one), she needed a tooth filing only once in her life!  All that digging and chewing on grass and branches kept her teeth in trim without any help from the vet.

I know that the luxury of safe outdoor sanctuary is not possible for everyone.  But if you can manage even an hour or two a day, that will probably help his teeth stay in better shape.

Hope this helps!


Dana