I've had my English angora for about 2 years. I've always brushed her weekly like the breeder told me to. I've noticed that on her back the fur is much thinner than on the rest of her body. You can see it from a distance, that's how much of a difference there is. Anyone have any experience with this? It is something I should worry about? Thanks.
thin spots on angora rabbit's back
- Thread starter momofonly
- Start date
Do you get a lot of wool off her when you brush her? If so and if you are brushing frequently, you might just be removing the wool she is naturally blowing (shedding). Is it bald, like bare skin, or is the hair just shorter and thinner looking? If its the later I would suspect she is re-growing new wool and you are removing her older wool. Sometimes angoras blow their coats irregularly. Do you ever witness her chewing the area? Is there any dandruff?
pennylove
Chillin' with the herd
Sounds to me like she's been pulling her wool out. I have a rabbit that has pulled a good portion of the wool of her back twice now, for no apparent reason. Are you finding wool in her cage/pen?
I just read someothing interesting in an old angora book I have that was describing "retarded wool growth" It said it is most common in does and usually after they have kindled but may also occur in bucks. No one is absolutley sure (at least they weren't in the 50's) what causes it but it is suspected to be a matter of the body under stress; this is why does will have retarded wool growth after kindling, all their strength is going into producing milk and babies. The book said the thin spot is usually on the back, and will remain there until they blow their coats at which point it will usually begin regrowth at a normal rate.
From the description I think the patch would have normal hair but it would be much shorter than surrounding hair? Basically the wool is just stunted. Thought this might help and I found it interesting.
From the description I think the patch would have normal hair but it would be much shorter than surrounding hair? Basically the wool is just stunted. Thought this might help and I found it interesting.
pennylove
Chillin' with the herd
I also thought of something else--are you plucking her wool exclusively or shearing? Over time, plucking a rabbit's wool, especially if done before the rabbit is in full molt, will cause a reduction in the amount of fiber she will produce. It's like plucking your own eyebrows too much--if you pull the same hair out thirty times, it might just stop coming back.
I do pluck my angoras, but only their best fiber on their back and only when they are already "streaming" their wool, so I know they're in full molt. Then I shear the rest. I'm told this keeps their coats in the best possible condition.
I do pluck my angoras, but only their best fiber on their back and only when they are already "streaming" their wool, so I know they're in full molt. Then I shear the rest. I'm told this keeps their coats in the best possible condition.
