Doe issues

Question
I was wandering around this site, hoping to find an answer to one of my rabbits problems, and I believe I came across the answer:(http://experts.about.com/q/Rabbits-703/rabbit-doe-1.htm)
However, it is not possible that my doe could be pregnant because she has no contact with any male rabbits! Her 'double chin' does not feel as though there is a 'ball' of any sort inside it, so I am relieved-she doesn't have an infection. But I am so confused!
Also, my other rabbit (also a doe) is missing almost all the fur on her face (the area between the eyes, extending down to the nose)! I had a doe I owned years ago that had the same problem, but we never discovered the cause. She does not have dandruff, and I can't see any mites, so I am baffled as to the cause.
The two does share a cage; should they be separated?

Thank you so much!

Answer
Dear Adrienne,

You don't actually say what your bunny's problem *is*.  Is it the formation of the fleshy dewlap under the chin?  Is she acting grouchy, or building a nest and pulling her fur?  Please let me know, since I cannot guess.

If it's just the skin under her neck, then I would not worry as long as it's soft and pliable.  Many rabbits (especially females) develop a "dewlap"--a flap of skin that's a lot like a little "chin pillow".  It's more common in larger breeds and females, but some small bunnies and some males develop dewlaps, depending on their genetics.

The bunny with the missing fur could have mites, and I would treat them both with Revolution (selamectin) from a good rabbit vet, just in case.  But since it's only one bunny, it's possible that the other one is over-grooming her.  (Don't separate them if they are bonded!  But you must provide them with more running space and more things to do, or they will go crazy with boredom and find other things to mutilate--such as each other.)  Please read:

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

for information on the various causes and treatments of abnormal fur loss in rabbits.  You will not be able to see some mite species with the naked eye, which is why it might be safest to ask about getting them treated with Revolution as a precaution.  (DO NOT use Frontline, which can be deadly to rabbits.)

YOu can find a good rabbit vet to help you here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

The bunnies will be calmer and healthier if spayed, even if they never come into contact with a male.  Please read:

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

and once that's done, you can litterbox train them and bring them inside to be members of the family:

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

You won't believe what you were missing!  :)

Hope this helps.

Dana