Rabbit gags when grooming herself?

[Vaszya]

I have a 5 year old Lionhead. She’s active, eats well, etc.

Recently, she started constantly grooming her fur under her chin, to the point where her fur is continuously wet. Also, she has started to gag whenever she does this. I know rabbits don’t regurgitate hairballs, but the sound is identical.

Has anyone been through something similar? She’s got a huge appetite, eats plenty of hay & stools are good… I don’t want the chance for this to turn to G.I. stasis!

I’ve tried to trim down her hair under her mouth, but it’s not easy to do.

Tips, suggestions, etc?

Thanks much!

 

[Mikey]

You need to brush her more often. Some people with fluffy bunnies need to brush theirs every day to avoid their bunnies from swallowing too much hair

[Bam]

A five year old bunny with a wet chin makes me suspect a molar issue. If it goes on, you should have them checked (her appetite is a good sign though). A vet can see the molars with an otoscope. Sometimes they need to sedate the bun to get a good look.

Try to wipe her chin dry and put on some fat protective cream like beeswax cream or bagbalm or diaper-rash cream or even vaseline, just as a barrier to protect the skin from constant wetness. Wet skin can become a playground for funghi and other nasties.

[Author]

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