Wet faces

[Withherwings]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to Rabbits and I have two small males about 3 or 4 months old. The other day I noticed that one of their face looked wet. I thought that maybe it slipped and fell into the water bowl or something. I then noticed a there were two. When I inspected them. I noticed that they were not wet but rather their fur was in dry crusty clumps that made it look wet. The majority was under the chin, the cheeks and above the eyes. I looked closely and I do not believe it is coming from the eyes or the mouth. Everything else looks good. They are smaller but seem to be eating fine. I tried to loosen the clumps with a wet rag but the hair was very stuck. I go some if it to fluff back up.

I quarantined them but want to know what is going on. Thanks in advance.

Luke

 

[MamaSheepdog]

It could be a couple of things. When rabbits go into heat distress, they drool a lot and it gets all over their chins. I have never seen it around their eyes or on the cheeks, but it is possible that they smeared their faces in a pool of saliva.

The other cause could be respiratory disease or Pasteurella. It may be mucous from the eyes and nose.

I would recommend cleaning them as thoroughly as possible so you can see if it reoccurs and how quickly it does so. Here in the states they sell metal "flea combs" that have teeth very closely spaced. I don't know if you will be able to find one there, but I'm sure the pharmacies carry combs for lice, which would work equally well.

 

[Dood]

Another possibility is their hormones are kicking in and they are mounting each other but haven't figured out which end is which. It is time to separate and/or neuter them.

 

[Withherwings]

haha I haven't thought of that. I hope that is the case and that they are not sick. I will clean em up and see if it returns. I had about 5 young buck together in one cage. I read that bucks can live together well as long as they are not with or near does. Is this good advice?

Would they mount a male like this. I have seen a buck hump the wrong end of a doe but would they do this to another buck.

I want to keep a two for future breeders but the rest will become food. I think that they are all at least two months away from being breeding weight.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Another possibility is their hormones are kicking in and they are mounting each other but haven't figured out which end is which. It is time to separate and/or neuter them.

Eww! I hadn't considered that...

I had about 5 young buck together in one cage. I read that bucks can live together well as long as they are not with or near does. Is this good advice?

I wouldn't risk it with bucks you want to keep for breeding. One day everything is fine, and the next you find damaged testicles. :x

It also depends on your particular line of rabbits as to how long you can keep them together before fights break out. Test it out on the rabbits that are headed for the freezer in any case.

 

[coffeenutdesigns]

I have a buck that likes to pee all over everyone if he gets near them. Are you sure they aren't spraying each other?

 

[Secuono]

A clear picture would really help.

 

[ladysown]

could be fungal.
could be burrowing mites.
could be a whole host of things... including tooth issues.

good pics would help.

I'd be using cornstarch on them to see if that helps loosen the clumps.