Runty, a very special baby - pics

Holly · 04-22-2008, 11:53 PM

I've been worried about this little guy (actually probably a gal) for what seems like forever but she's battling on and on - she's half the size of her siblings at 19 days old but is always one of the first in the food scrum.

The thing is that she looks quite odd - because she's got very little fur

... actually virtually no hair at all around her face and the back of her neck, there's more on her rump but it's still very sparse. I think she's supposed to be a BEC, maybe a satin, but she's actually PINK

These pics were taken this morning at 19 days:

She's incredibly special to us, we've watched her battle and we love her very much so she'll be staying with us whatever. I'm just wondering if any other breeders have experienced this in a runt - she looks like she's developmentally delayed, except that even 10 days ago the other babies had more fur than her. I've seen runts as small as her in comparison to their littermates but I don't think I've ever seen one with virtually no hair at this stage

I just hope she's going to make it - surely, with each day that passes, she's more likely to?

souffle · 04-23-2008, 12:36 AM

Aww Holly so glad she will stay with you. I am not sure about the hair issue but I think she will grow on a bit. She may be a satin too so that the fur will be thinner and with her being less forward in growth will come later. She is a fighter for sure. I guess it is possible she does have something wrong but I hope not and she catches up. My 'Runty' sable was as small as this at this age and his eyes did not open till about 21 days. He caught up by around 6 months so it can take a while. He was never as big as the other though. Go little 'Runtina'

chase · 04-23-2008, 01:20 AM

AWWW so sweet I have never bred syrians YET

so cant help U much but sure she will grow 2 b a little fighter.
She looks absolutely adorable & I'm sure her coat will catch up with all her other siblings.

cloptonite · 04-23-2008, 01:29 AM

Hi Julie,
I have experienced hair loss in a runty rex rabbit.
It was mums first litter,and one was half the size of his siblings.
He went on to lose fur on the top of his head and around his neck area

But ,by the time he was old enough to go, he had just as much fur as his siblings and had pretty much caught up in the size department too!
I think it must be something to do with the body discarding some hair ( which takes up nutrients to grow?? ) in favour of using all nutrients for internal organs and general growth etc.............
Well, that's my explanation for it anyway

Holly · 04-23-2008, 01:30 AM

Thank you for being so kind, you two - Runty really appreciates it.

She is adorable and seems to be up with the rest of them except for her appearance. Her eyes opened at the same time as the others (you can see them open in the second picture) but when they are closed they look like undeveloped eyes.

I'm so hoping she makes it, Will and I are incredibly attached to her, every time we come into the room we look for her and we are alwasy ecstatic when we see her still doing ok. I think Will will take it very badly if she doesn't make it - after everything else that's happened his joy that she's doing ok is so nice to see.

Holly · 04-23-2008, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloptonite

Hi Julie,
I have experienced hair loss in a runty rex rabbit.
It was mums first litter,and one was half the size of his siblings.
He went on to lose fur on the top of his head and around his neck area

But ,by the time he was old enough to go, he had just as much fur as his siblings and had pretty much caught up in the size department too!
I think it must be something to do with the body discarding some hair ( which takes up nutrients to grow?? ) in favour of using all nutrients for internal organs and general growth etc.............
Well, that's my explanation for it anyway

That's interesting - thanks

I wondered if her umbilical cord had been squashed or something before birth. I guess I won't know but I certainlyhope she's like your bunny and she does ok.

Bourne Valley Hams · 04-23-2008, 01:39 AM

I have had it happen too with runts. Often they seem to grow some fur but then it falls out for a week or two, particularly underneath and round the back of the neck.
Fur has usually grown back fine by the time they are 8 weeks old, at which point they usually look like a normal 5 week old. Sometimes runts remain quite small but often will grow as big as their siblings and live just as long.

Holly · 04-23-2008, 01:41 AM

Hurrah! Thanks so much, BVH - (can't get used to calling you that when I know you

), I can't wait to tell Will when he comes home tonight.

The babies are all awake and playing so I think it's handling/photo time

**Spuds Mum** · 04-23-2008, 01:42 AM

She certainly looks pink doesn't she? I think she looks healthy enough, and just like the runts of my litters who seemed to develop slightly later. I don't know on the hair bit, she will probably catch up though, but am wondering about possible recessives having an impact on her colour-wise. I guess time will tell.

I'm sure she will do well, and that you are doing everything right for her. I'm sure that she will become a wonderful and very special reminder of this litter for you and Will (and when she's 260g you will know she has definitely caught up)

internet_nobody · 04-23-2008, 03:03 AM

Aw bless her, I hope she catches up soon!