Pregnant?/Hair loss?

Question
Hi I purchased my rabbit from a pet store about a year ago (a few months longer) and in June about the 5-8 she got out and was running aroung for a few days before we caught her. Now she has a bald patch behind her ears on the back of her neck and i was wondering what that would be from, could she possibly be pregnant?
Thanks!

Answer
Dear Karlee,

Unless there are other domestic rabbits running around loose in your neighborhood, she's not likely to be pregnant.  Please see:

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

for the possible causes of abnormal fur loss (and their safe treatment) in rabbits.

If there *are* other rabbits in the neighborhood (not cottontails; they are a different species, and can't breed with domestic rabbits), then she *could* be pregnant.  Please see:

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

and

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

Gestation is 28-31 days, so you'll know soon if that's a possibility.

I hope this helps.

Dana