Female does pulling fur (not pregnant)

[CocoLoco]

Hi guys,

Is it normal for does to pull their fur out even if they’re not pregnant? I have 2 bunnies and the vet confirmed that both of them are female. They are set to be spayed at the end of this month but they are currently doing particular behaviours that they haven’t done before. They’re peeing outside their litter tray (only few accidents tho) and pulling their own fur out. They are currently shedding so i’m not sure if pulling fur is normal during shedding season or if i should be worried. Please help me out. There are also some positions that they do that i’m unsure if they are just simply relaxing or in a hunched (pain) position. As a first time bun parent, I really can’t tell the difference between their relaxing position and in pain position. They are eating and pooping fine tho.

 

[InspectorMorse]

If you are 100% certain they cannot be pregnant then it’s a pseudo pregnancy. Very common in entire Does, especially at this time of year (‘Spring Fever’)

They might build a nest too. If so, dont destroy it, they will just build another one and get even more stressed out. Make a note of when pseudo-pregnancy symptoms occur as its best not to spay them during or immediately after one as the uterus will be engorged with blood making the risk of haemorrhage during surgery greater. Let your Vet see the pseudo- pregnancy diary.

Both Bunnies look to be a bit portly, has the Vet commented on their weight? I would discuss their weight with the Vet BEFORE taking them in to be spayed. Being overweight is another thing that can significantly increase the risks during a spay. The Vet might think it would be safer for the girls to lose a bit of weight before they are spayed.

Is my rabbit too fat or too thin? Monitoring Your Rabbit's Weight

Body Condition Score

Click here to learn about Rabbit Body Condition Scores. Explore their importance, how to calculate them, and necessary after steps.

rabbitwelfare.co.uk

Free Webinar:

Signs that rabbits show when they are in pain

Missed the course? It's not too late! - Click here to watch the webinar 'Pain Management in Rabbits - More than just Meloxicom' now.

rabbitwelfare.co.uk

 

[CocoLoco]

If you are 100% certain they cannot be pregnant then it’s a pseudo pregnancy. Very common in entire Does, especially at this time of year (‘Spring Fever’)

They might build a nest too. If so, dont destroy it, they will just build another one and get even more stressed out. Make a note of when pseudo-pregnancy symptoms occur as its best not to spay them during or immediately after one as the uterus will be engorged with blood making the risk of haemorrhage during surgery greater. Let your Vet see the pseudo- pregnancy diary.

Both Bunnies look to be a bit portly, has the Vet commented on their weight? I would discuss their weight with the Vet BEFORE taking them in to be spayed. Being overweight is another thing that can significantly increase the risks during a spay. The Vet might think it would be safer for the girls to lose a bit of weight before they are spayed.

Is my rabbit too fat or too thin? Monitoring Your Rabbit's Weight

Body Condition Score

Click here to learn about Rabbit Body Condition Scores. Explore their importance, how to calculate them, and necessary after steps.

rabbitwelfare.co.uk

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Free Webinar:

Signs that rabbits show when they are in pain

Missed the course? It's not too late! - Click here to watch the webinar 'Pain Management in Rabbits - More than just Meloxicom' now.

rabbitwelfare.co.uk

is it for sure that this is a pseudo pregnancy? I’ve also read online that this can be normal during molting season. Regarding their weight, they already had pre op checks with the vet a week and a half ago. I asked them if they are in healthy weight and the vet said they are although coco (brown) is leaner than loco (white) i asked him if they were overweight and said no. They are due to be spayed 28th May. Is it best if i reschedule their spay appointment?

 

[InspectorMorse]

is it for sure that this is a pseudo pregnancy? I’ve also read online that this can be normal during molting season. Regarding their weight, they already had pre op checks with the vet a week and a half ago. I asked them if they are in healthy weight and the vet said they are although coco (brown) is leaner than loco (white) i asked him if they were overweight and said no. They are due to be spayed 28th May. Is it best if i reschedule their spay appointment?

I have kept rabbits for 28 years and I have never seen fur pulling that was just due to moulting. It has almost always been hormone driven- ie a pregnancy/pseudo-pregnancy/adrenal gland hyperplasia. A Rabbit in chronic pain can also lead to fur pulling, as can psychological stress. I would say it’s 99.9% certain your Does are having a pseudopregnancy. With regards to re-scheduling the spay, speak with the Vet and let her/him know about the pseudopregnancy. If the Vet said that the girls are not overweight then fine. How a Rabbit looks weight-wise in a photo can be mis-leading. My comment was based on their body score based on what I see in photos, they could look slimmer irl

 

[CocoLoco]

Yes i agree its a false pregnancy as they also started peeing outside their litter tray recently despite them being litter trained. We also moved houses 2 and a half weeks ago so that might be also contributing to their behaviour. If they are in chronic pain they would lose their appetite right? And would have pooping issues? They seem to be eating and pooping fine

 

[CocoLoco]

I have kept rabbits for 28 years and I have never seen fur pulling that was just due to moulting. It has almost always been hormone driven- ie a pregnancy/pseudo-pregnancy/adrenal gland hyperplasia. A Rabbit in chronic pain can also lead to fur pulling, as can psychological stress. I would say it’s 99.9% certain your Does are having a pseudopregnancy. With regards to re-scheduling the spay, speak with the Vet and let her/him know about the pseudopregnancy. If the Vet said that the girls are not overweight then fine. How a Rabbit looks weight-wise in a photo can be mis-leading. My comment was based on their body score based on what I see in photos, they could look slimmer irl

Yes i agree its a false pregnancy as they also started peeing outside their litter tray recently despite them being litter trained. We also moved houses 2 and a half weeks ago so that might be also contributing to their behaviour. If they are in chronic pain they would lose their appetite right? And would have pooping issues? They seem to be eating and pooping fine

 

[InspectorMorse]

Yes i agree its a false pregnancy as they also started peeing outside their litter tray recently despite them being litter trained. We also moved houses 2 and a half weeks ago so that might be also contributing to their behaviour. If they are in chronic pain they would lose their appetite right? And would have pooping issues? They seem to be eating and pooping fine

A Rabbit in pain usually does not eat, or eats significantly less. Their GI tract motility reduces and there’s less poo/smaller poo.

Moving house will have been stressful and stress can trigger a pseudopregnancy.