Mini Rex with wavy fur

Question
we have a broken black mini rex buck who had a wonderful, smooth fur coat. When we went out to check on him yesterday afternoon, his coat is wavy. We are in 4-H and the show is Friday morning. We tried using our hands to brush down his coat, but nothing seems to help. How can we get his smooth coat back? And, what caused this?

Thanks,
Stacey

Answer
Dear Stacey,

Fur texture and color is governed not by one, but by many different genes.  That means that your bunny's coat may be different from that of other Rex rabbits due to some genetic difference he carries.  It is nearly impossible to know why his coat has suddenly become wavy, but if the weather has been humid, the soft Rex undercoat might be reacting with the atmospheric moisture in an unusual way.

I would suggest bringing him inside where it's drier and cooler, and seeing if that straightens the fur.  In any case, I'm sure he's just as wonderful a bunny whether he has straight or wavy fur, since it's his personality, and not his appearance, that is most important.

For more information on proper care, litterbox training, spay/neuter,  etc., please visit:

www.rabbit.org

and

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

Hope that helps!

Dana