Bald Spot

[WinslowAndPoppet]

I noticed that the fur on the back of Winslow’s neck is looking extra thin. It has looked thin in the past, something the vet told me not to worry about, but it looks a little balder than usual. It wasn’t incredibly noticable until I (gently) tilted his head foward to get a better look, and there was his little pink skin. 

I did read this from the House Rabbit Society’s site:

“The fur at the nape of the neck is normally thin. Coat density in this area may change with the seasons or with hormonal fluctuations in unspayed females. If the bald spot is limited to the area hidden when the rabbit tucks her head back toward her shoulders. If the hair is thin beyond this spot, it is a good idea to have your veterinarian do an examination.”

Like I said, it didn’t make me nervous until I tilted his head, so is that what HRS was refferring to as normal (“when the rabbit tucks her head toward her shoulders”)? 

I think I’m being a little too cautious but it doesn’t hurt to get other bunny owners’ advice! 

[LongEaredLions]

The hair on my bunnies necks is a little thinner than the hair on the rest of their bodies too…
I think the fact that you had to tilt her head forward means that it is ok for the hair to be thinner in that spot, as long as it doesn’t look irritated or red.
If you are concerned, watch and see if she is going through a molt (but I think you would know if she was) as sometimes bunnies can lose hair faster than it takes to grow in and have some mini bald patches around the body.

[LBJ10]

I agree, a little bit of thinness there is normal. This seems especially true for longer hair breeds. Like Leopold had a little finer hair in that spot, but Wooly’s “bald” spot is a little more obvious. It was even thinner when he was a baby, but it filled in as he got older.

[WinslowAndPoppet]

Thank you both! Wins is a lionhead, so his mane usually lays over the thin part as well. I’ll keep an eye on it, but you’ve given me some peace of mind! 

[Lis]

My girls both actually get huge bald patches when they molt. My very rabbit savvy vet said it’s not uncommon and harmless unless the skin is looking bad. I wouldn’t worry about it as long as his skin looks healthy, especially since we’re talking about an area with thinner hair to start.

[NikkiiRed]

this subject also worries me, I have a 3 month lionhead and he has a bald spot in the back of his neck.. it’s only visible when his grooming himself or he’s all streched out trying to go on the sofa.. the skin looks really good, pink and healthy. I can’t remember if he had this one month ago because when I got him he was really sick and was barely active. Should I worry? My vet say that sometimes bunnies have those bald spots and I can’t tell if it’s spreading or not.

[LBJ10]

If it is on the back of the neck, I think it is pretty normal. Like I said, it seems especially true for longer haired breeds.

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