I've taken in a 3yr old Bunny who has a rather large dewlap. I am assuming this problem comes from over-feeding? Will she ever lose it? I know you can have them surgically removed but I am not going down that road. The other worry is will there be problems when she is spayed? She has been on a healthier diet for the last 6 months but still has this dewlap.
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Dewlaps
- Thread starter tonibun
- Start date
InspectorMorse
Wise Old Thumper
Unspayed Does can develop very large dewlaps and obesity contributes to this. The dewlap does not always reduce in size after spaying and/or weight loss. It just becomes more saggy as it loses fat, but the skin remains.
In some cases a very large dewlap can cause problems with self grooming. The Doe can get a mucky bum. If the dewlap gets wet, eg from drinking from a water bowl, then skin infections can occur under the dewlap -moist dermatitis often caused by pseudomonas aeruginosa. It can turn the skin and fur green. These infections put the Doe at a high risk of flystrike. Surgery to reduce the dewlap can become essential on a welfare basis.
In some cases a very large dewlap can cause problems with self grooming. The Doe can get a mucky bum. If the dewlap gets wet, eg from drinking from a water bowl, then skin infections can occur under the dewlap -moist dermatitis often caused by pseudomonas aeruginosa. It can turn the skin and fur green. These infections put the Doe at a high risk of flystrike. Surgery to reduce the dewlap can become essential on a welfare basis.
joey&boo
Wise Old Thumper
My Mouseypie had a crazy big dewlap. She was rescued at estimated 2-3 years so will have been spayed late too. I remember panicking to FHB in consult. As she slimmed down it was mainly skin, which hung practically to her knees. Anyway at its worst she sort of hoisted it to one side when washing but it luckily never became a problem. I hope it won't for your new bun either
