[HELP] Tofu’s mouth, chin and front legs are all wet and matted!!

[Ciel]

Tofu is my pet bunny I just recently bought from a pet shop 1 week ago. The petshop told me that Tofu is a month old bunny and he’s a male. Yesterday I found out his nose was wet and I thought it was from his use of the water bowl. So I decided to remove the water bowl and place a substitute, a water bottle. But today I found out that the water bowl is not the culprit and the wetness got even worse! His mouth, chin, and front legs are all wet. The fur underneath his whiskers is now matted. Now, he is grooming every now and then which makes his front legs reaaaaally wet.

I am a first time owner and I am now panicking lol. After I did some research, I think Tofu’s drooling because it is not from the water he’s drinking. I will take him to the vet later Am I correct or what? Is it bad for bunnies if they OVERGROOM or if they are left overnight really wet from their own saliva?

[Sarita]

Are you certain he is only a month old? That is way too young to be separated from his momma.

It’s hard to really know what could be wrong with him, but I with a baby I would definitely take him to the vet for a total wellness exam including a fecal test. Usually rabbits only drool if they have some dental problems and that would be highly unusual at his age.

[Ciel]

 I think the petshop attendants are lying. They are really not informed about what they are selling  Can you identify it’s age by it’s size? He is half of an iPad hahahahaha. I am really concerned about his front legs though, he can’t stop grooming/licking them. I think they itch or something? Because now I can see the skin since the fur now are wet and matted. The skin is reddish 

 

Sorry for my bad grammar, I am korean btw >_<

[Sarita]

Half of an Ipad :~) He sounds small, but I cannot tell his age just by that description.

I would say possibly mites but he may be too young to treat for this at his age. I’m not saying it is that, but it is the first thing that comes to mind. Poor little guy. He may be licking if the skin is irritated.

[Ciel]

 I can’t see any mites  But I am sure he’s irritated maybe because of the bedding or from his drool.. I guess. Thanks for the help, I am now very sure that I will take him to the vet later~  감사합니다!! 

[Sarita]

You won’t be able to see mites – the vet would do a skin scraping and look under a microscope. It is possible that the bedding is irritating him as well.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Keep us updated on what the vet finds! I hope everything goes well. Welcome to the forum!

[Ciel]

 Hello! I took Tofu to the vet. She told me my tofu had “slobbers” which is from his saliva. So the vet removed the matted fur (ouch!) and now his cheeks are bald (( but she said Tofu’s skin is very healthy. The vet also injected him some antibiotics for mites/deworming just in case. He is recovering now but he is still active as usual! He loves to run around my room and follows me everywhere so I don’t think he’s really that sick.

If your bunny have matted fur, remove it immediately so that the skin can breathe OR dab a mouthwash on it so that the fur will loosen (if you dont want to pluck it). 

[RabbitPam]

I’ve never heard of slobbers, unless the vet was using a euphemism for a medical condition. Did the vet check Tofu’s teeth? Often it’s due to an irregularity with the teeth that causes some drool.

I would not advice using mouthwash. Plain water on a damp washcloth only will be enough to loosen matted fur. But really, if the fur is matted anywhere near the mouth, do just what you did, which is get to the vet for an exam.

[Ciel]

 I tried plain damp washcloth at first but it wasn’t that effective The vet adviced mouthwash so I tried and the fur became smooth again yay!  There’s nothing wrong with Tofu’s teeth, and I was expecting it to be the cause the problem. 

Now I have a new problem: I am worrying on how long will it take for Tofu’s fur to grow back? I am getting him a “girlfriend” and I am afraid the new bunny will bully him

 

[Monkeybun]

If he is that young, wait to get him a girlfriend til he is older and neutered. Make sure the new friend is spayed/neutered too! We don’t want any more babies!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I wouldn’t bring home a new rabbit when you bunny isn’t feeling well-for one you could get the new one sick, and the new one could pick on your bunny while he’s not feeling well. Wait until he’s recovered and neutered.

[bunnyfriend]

I agree to wait, you don’t want an accidental litter of babies. Plus rabbits that aren’t spayed or neutered can’t really form true bonds and often will fight (even if one of them is altered, they both need to be). When he’s ready I suggest “bunny dating” which is when you take your rabbit to pick out his new friend, it’s a good way to make sure they will get along well

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