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Julie
New Zealand
76 Posts |
 Posted - 14/07/2010 : 19:47:32
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Help help help! We are desperate.
We have 3 cashmere lops now nearly 4 months old. Their coats have been a nightmare from the start. We have done what we were told to do which was regularly teasing out knots, combing and snipping into the knot but this does not always work. We cannot seem to keep on top of the knotting. They knot very very easily and two of them have patches of 'matted' fur at both shoulders which is matted so close to the skin that I cannot cut the fur any shorter for fear of snipping bunny. Will their adult coats be less prone to knotting and matting when they come through or can we always expect to have these issues?
They live off the ground but have hay in their beds which always seems to be intangled in the knots - is this the root of the problem? Does anyone use shredded paper for their cashie bunnies' bedding? (or any other alternative). Am I buggering their adult coats for good by this regular trimming?
Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. :-) |
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whitefeather
New Zealand
726 Posts |
Posted - 14/07/2010 : 19:54:11
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i dont know if i can help but i have found it easier to use wood shavings in my cashmeres bed, i dont know if the coat will change when they get older as most of mine i got when they were already adults and the little one i have has a pretty easy care coat , still has the occassional knots but i give her a nice groom every third day with a plastic comb that way i dont damage the guard hairs , other cashmere breeders might be able to help you better , good luck and hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel for you
every little critter deserves a loving home
mystical haven
wendy |
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Vivelly
New Zealand
797 Posts |
Posted - 14/07/2010 : 21:55:49
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Julie is there anyone in Christchurch who knows how to clip fluffies? Things should improve when they get their aduld coats.
I would use shredded paper, woodshavings or hay gets too much into the coat, especially when its so cottonwooly.
Best on wire even.
If you cannot clip matts out or dont find anyone who can then maybe I would just wait till the felting moults out and the new coat will grow. Just make sure there is no hay entangled in matts that may poke the skin and cause absesses. |
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Chrissy
New Zealand
222 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2010 : 03:20:06
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Julie find a good dog groomer and take the cashies and get them to shave them they have the correct tools and expert knowledge of grooming. You will have to buy some small dog knitted covers hope Trademe have them for sale this is to keep them warm .
When the fur starts to grow back then start grooming them at least four time in a week.
When they start to moult increase the grooming pull out long strands of fur to speed up the process.
Wet your hands rubbed over their coat will also help to remove loose fur.
Have a look on this forum for other breeder's of cashmere rabbits.
I know some times Dr Jane Phillips comes down to the local shows and she is an expert in breeding Cashmeres and I know Jane will be able to show you how to groom them.So go to Shows listed on here scroll down to Sth Island shows to look for the next one and take them along some one their will be able to help you out.
Wish you all the best.
The Grange Rabbitry
Home to The Rare Enderby Island Rabbits
Rotorua |
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whitefeather
New Zealand
726 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2010 : 07:58:56
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julie , if you get you little cashies clipped and want a cover for them keep me in mind, i make little polar fleece and cotton covers for little dogs, cats, guinea pigs and rabbits and all i would need to charge would be the cost of the material and the postage, would be all to happy to make some for your little guys, just finished making some for a set of hairless guinea pigs and a hairless cat ( same family ) ....
every little critter deserves a loving home
mystical haven
wendy |
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sarah
New Zealand
1006 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2010 : 08:03:51
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Hey
I have had to shave a couple of mine ! it took ages i think my blades werent short enough they were 2mm i needed shorter. They will need a warm coat as whitefeather said.
I envy all of you with long coated bunnies . I couldnt do it myself too much work !
sarah, emma and lara |
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Owl
New Zealand
22 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2010 : 08:33:50
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Julie I would be happy to clip them for you. Free of charge too.
Flick me an email or give me a call and we can arrange something.
Regards Owl |
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Lorraine
New Zealand
171 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2010 : 11:10:37
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Hi Owl, we will take you up on that option. Just let us know what day and time. Saturday or Sunday would be best for us. Thank you, thank you so very much as we are getting quite worried about their matting.
And Wendy Thanks, we will flick you an email about covers, as our little bunnies are outside.
Cheer everyone for your advise.
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Edited by - Lorraine on 15/07/2010 11:16:24 |
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Julie
New Zealand
76 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2010 : 12:27:22
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Thanks everyone for your input and help.
We fear leaving the buns until the felting moults out could be dangerous for them as the skin can't breath - we were told about skin sores etc. There's no doubt the fur has to come off and the sooner the better so yes we will need to find some clothing for them (how cute!). If need be the fluffies can stay indoors at night as well. I think we need to get the hay out of their bedding too so I'll be on the scrounge for shredded paper at work.
We've heard that adults coats arn't such a hassle so we have our fingers crossed about that when they come through.
Thanks again
Julie |
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whitefeather
New Zealand
726 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2010 : 15:24:32
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julie, you can contact me through here if you need me to make some jackets, pleased to make you some when the time comes, will need a couple of days to sew them for you and to courier you down so let me know if you need them before you clip the little ones so that i can get them b\done before they are clipped
every little critter deserves a loving home
mystical haven
wendy |
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whitefeather
New Zealand
726 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2010 : 19:30:16
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julie
thanks for letting me help you out by making the coats for your little ones, i love the photos they look so cute and hope that they are now nice and warm.
every little critter deserves a loving home
mystical haven
wendy |
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Ang McFall
New Zealand
451 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2010 : 20:51:41
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I'm back! Finally without months of internet i have it! Snail pace dial up, but thats all i can get out here LOL 
Julie get a cat slicker brush (small square back with lots of small wire bristles) It is all you need. It is the only brush i use on my 20 odd angoras! Remember when you are brushing you need to start at one end, and slowly work your way around the rabbit, not missing any area, and brushing the hair from the skin outwards. Technique is everything. |
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sarah
New Zealand
1006 Posts |
Posted - 30/07/2010 : 08:03:15
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welcome back Angela ! how are things down in the deep south? have missed hearing from you. Vanessa has given me an update on how you were going! she is a sweetie!
sarah, emma and lara |
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Ang McFall
New Zealand
451 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2010 : 22:20:30
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 Absolutely loving it Sarah
Couldn't be happier. Looking forward to raising my own we calf soon, and then my house pig! LOL. Bunnies have so much space to run round, and loving all the grass too. Have a huge rabbitry attached to house, so don't need to go outside to feed and clean bunnies... priceless  |
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heavensent
New Zealand
469 Posts |
Posted - 17/08/2010 : 23:04:28
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With the felting near the shoulder bladess, you'll probably have little choice but to cut the felt off so that the skin can breath again, otherwise the skin can get very tight for them, and in extreme circumastances can interfere with movement if it becomes terribly knotted up. I wouldn't suggest using clippers or blades of any sort (these can affect how the cashie coat grows back) but rather sizzors (those wee nail sizzors that curve upwards - the upwards curve helps prevent accidental snips of their delicate skin). If you get yourself an opening into the felt, pull the felted fur away from you, and you should be able to snip a line of threads near to their skin. Pull the fur again and continue snipping... continue this process, which is rather like peeling the fur off them (it's called peeling), until you have removed the felted bits.
The degree of felting you get depends on the type of coat your mini cahshmeres have. The correct coat seldom, if ever, felts, even when unattended. However, your buns are only youngsters and may still have a juvenile coat lacking the necessary guard hairs. At 4 months it's difficult to know what sort of adult coat they may have. On the positive side, many a nice adult coat can be proceeded by absolutely terrible juvenile and baby coats. Their next moult should give you an idea of the adult coat. Some adult coats are very easy care, others (often finer coats) labour intensive.
When you get the new coat comming through, then it would be a good idea to get bunnies use to a slicker brush, or brush of some sort, and then it's a question of technique (as Angela said) which works best for you. Excessive brushing of the top of their coat can strip guard hairs out, so you need to watch out for this, but if you blow their coats with a hair drier on cool, you should be able to keep the fur separate and avoid matting. Sometimes, they, the weather, or a whole myriad of things can conspire against us and you will have to come back to doing some snipping, even if only for hygenic purposes.
Consider keeping the cashies on wire until you can determine their type of coat. You can always provide a rest board for their feet, or use caging that has a nesting area.
I have some on wire and some on woodchip and hay. It's really up to your bunny's disposition as well as coat, which will dictate what you use.
If you're still having problems, or if I can help in any way, flick me an email.
Cheers,
Jane
Member IUCN SSC Lagomorph Specialist Group for the 2009-2012 intersession period
HEAVENSENT RABBIT STUD |
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annahoover
New Zealand
13 Posts |
Posted - 30/08/2010 : 17:09:59
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| I bought a little cashmere 7 years ago. When in the shop she was in a box with ginea pigs that jumped all over her and caused the matting. I did what Jane said, bit by bit, it took ages but it worked,the fur grew back beautifully. |
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heavensent
New Zealand
469 Posts |
Posted - 30/08/2010 : 23:37:18
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That's really great to hear! Well done!
Jane :)
Member IUCN SSC Lagomorph Specialist Group for the 2009-2012 intersession period
HEAVENSENT RABBIT STUD |
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whitefeather
New Zealand
726 Posts |
Posted - 31/08/2010 : 07:37:55
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I myself have had to "clip" a couple of cashmere, they were a very sad and sorry sight when i got two of them, they had been living in the botom of a cockatail(sp) avairy so you can all imagine the mess they were in , the other owners didnt seem to really care, they answer was oh they were my teenagers rabbits and we thought she was brushing them, i know teenagers should be able to do the grooming themselves but this teenager was on 14 , i am had to in the end take them to the vets to get clipped, the other one i had to clip was a lovely rew cashmere, she had matting that ended up a home to ticks, she is all good now and we are looking forward to her making her show debute with us at the nationals this year, she is a lovely rabbit, and we are now glad to finally have her coat in a nice enough condition to show her , as long as she doesnt decided to moult that is lol
every little critter deserves a loving home
mystical haven
wendy |
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heavensent
New Zealand
469 Posts |
Posted - 31/08/2010 : 17:10:49
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The more cashies, the better, aye.
It'll be great to see them, especually REWs. Love 'em!
Jane :)
Member IUCN SSC Lagomorph Specialist Group for the 2009-2012 intersession period
HEAVENSENT RABBIT STUD |
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whitefeather
New Zealand
726 Posts |
Posted - 31/08/2010 : 19:29:53
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yes the more the merrier, i now have three mini cashmeres and two cashmeres, and i am getting another cashmere so that will make it six, YAY for me
every little critter deserves a loving home
mystical haven
wendy |
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Topic |
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Cashmere Lop Fur - Can anyone help???
