HAIRLOSS ON 5 WEEK OLD RABBIT

Question
I HAVE A 5 WEEK OLD DUTCH MIX RABBIT. SHE JUST RECENTLY STARTED LOOSING HER HAIR. IT STARTED ON HER BACK AND IS NOW LOOSING IT SLOWLY EVERYWHERE. IF YOU PICK HER UP AND PET HER IT FALLS OUT. SO MY QUESTION IS WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN. SHE EATS AND DRINKS JUST FINE AND HER SIBLINGS ARE IN THE SAME CAGE AND THEY ARE FINE ALSO.

Answer
Dear Jamie,

In a rabbit this young, I'd wonder if nutrition had some role to play in her unusual hair loss.  But it's also possible she has a case of fur mites.  Please read:

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

The other babies might also have them, but show no signs because they are healthier overall.  If she's a bit runty, or not as strong as the others, then she'd be more likely to show signs of mites than the others.

You'll need an experienced rabbit vet to prescribe proper medication, if this is mites:

www.rabbit.org/vets

We've used Revolution on very small bunnies (as young as two weeks!) with excellent results and no adverse side effects.  Consult the vet, and see if this is the right thing for your little bun.

Please also0 read:

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

Hope this helps!

Dana