fur loss in 3 week old bunny

Question
hi, i have been raising 2 domestic bunnies since they were a day old - the mother threw out the whole litter and these guys have made it. i've been nursing them with kmr with heavy cream, colostrum & acidophilus. they are doing great - growing, eating, pooping, peeing and starting to explore, eat pellets, alfalfa hay, carrot tops. i just love them. one guy had these what i could only describe as seizures or near-death episodes but i was able to bring him thru. his little legs weren't really working until about a week ago but he's using them fine (for the most part) now. of course they're both wobbly at this age. but my biggest concern is that he is bald on his legs & neck area, and has thin hair on his body. any ideas? thanks!

Answer
Dear Sharon,

The baldness might not have anything to do with his seizures, but it also could be related, if the little guy has a very rare type of mite that not only can cause fur loss, but also itches so badly that it can cause seizures.  The mite is described here:

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

and is a Burrowing Mange Mite, found most often in Guinea Pigs, but also--rarely--in rabbits.  It would be odd for only one baby to have this, but it's possible the other, healthier ones are able to suppress the mite infestation because they have better immune systems, even at their tender age.

Mites can be safely treated, even in very small babies, with Revolution (selamectin) from a good rabbit vet, whom you can find here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

The only contraindication for this would be if the baby has a compromised blood/brain barrier.  And because he has seizures, this is not impossible.  This is a very tough call.  The only really safe medication for mites is Revolution, unless you want to risk a sulfur-lime dip (which has its own evils).  

If the baby has a congenital problem with his brain, and part of that involves a faulty blood/brain barrier, then the selamectin could cause fatal neurological complications.  

I would discuss this with an experienced rabbit vet, and weigh the risks and benefits, and get other possibilities for why this little guy might be having seizures.  It could be something congenital that's not easily treatable, and the area of rabbit seizures and their appropriate treatment is relatively new.

I wish I could give you a more definitive answer, but I hope this helps get you started.

Dana