Need Advice!

[MS Farm Chick]

First, I would like to say Hi! to everyone. I am new here and couldn't have found this site at a better time.

I have been looking to purchase American Fuzzy Lops for months now. There are not a lot of people here that raise them. I guess because of the heat and grooming issues. I finally found some yesterday. I talked to the person (at length) over the phone. They were extremely knowledgeable and I felt very confident about the purchase. It was a 4 hour roundtrip to purchase the rabbits.

I should not have bought the rabbits!! I knew that the moment I pulled up at their home. The cages were disgusting. The rabbits are a matted up mess! I knew not to purchase them, but after driving that far and seeing them. I didn't want to leave them in that situation. I know I am potentially adding to the problem but I felt sorry for them.

My main question is...How do I groom them? They are "Wild!" I have to get the matts out of their fur. It has got to be painful. Oh, and feeling of their tummies I am almost positive they have been bred. Any advice will be so greatfully appreciated.

Thank You in Advance!!!!!!!!!!

[MaggieJ]

If they are not accustomed to being handled and groomed, it's not going to be easy. You may have to shear them... or at least cut out the matted parts. A second person to assist would probably be helpful. It doesn't all have to be done in one session.

A lot of woolly rabbits end up neglected in terms of grooming because people don't realize what they are getting into. It's a real pity. These rabbits lucked out going to someone who cares enough to sort them out. Your decision to buy may not be the best head decision you've ever made, but it speaks well for your kind heart. Hang in there... once they are sheared and you get past the possible kindling dates, you can work with the rabbits to get them to be friendlier and more amenable when groomed.

Um... better get some nest boxes in with the does, asap.

[KimTN]

I've had the sad occasion to rescue wool rabbits. My best tool was a very small matt comb for dogs. It hooks the matt and then cuts it. If you can, cut as much hair off as possible. Use the matt comb to get matts lifted off the skin surface so you can cut them off easier. It is just going to take a lot of time and patience. It also helps if you have a tall grooming table with a carpet pad so that the rabbit will hunker down and hold on.

[jkmlad]

The bad news it that this will not be easy... the good news, is that once your rabbits get their adult coats it won't be nearly this hard again. I'd hack off every bit of wool I could remove, and then work on combing our the worst of the mats. If your does are indeed bred, you must make sure that their bellies are stripped of mats so the kits can get to the nipples to eat. I'd start there... the does won't appreciate this at all... but concentrate your efforts there so if they should deliver those kits will be able to eat. I start out with scissors, and run my fingers through the wool as far down as I can. I than snip above my fingers, so I don't cut skin. After I have cut a section, I start combing. When I think the rabbit has tolerated as much as they can in that area, I repeat this in another spot, working my way around the body. BTW: take an old onion bag, the mesh kind, and save any salvagable wool in there so you can use it in the nests. You might be removing the wool the rabbits would be using for their nest, so make sure that you have something to supplement it with. Good luck!

[MS Farm Chick]

Thank you all for the advice. I followed it exactly. I was able to cut the really bad matts out. This has been a two week long process. I've been trying really hard not to stress them out. Which really isn't working to well. Is there any proper way to hold them? I've been wearing thick rubber gloves holding them and my sister-in-law has been doing the hair cutting. We're all scratched up but the rabbits look a million times better. I was just wondering if there were some sort of trick to it?

[a7736100]

I don't have a link but I've seen a grooming angora rabbit video on youtube. After you get out the mats a strong blower is used as a grooming tool.