Tiny lumps on the side of my rabbit? Rabbit Nipple?
Ever ran your hand along the sides of your furry rabbit and felt a tiny pimple sized bump? Or perhaps your bunny was comfortably laying in it's side, and u spot a pink pimple amidst the fur? Don't panic!
Is your rabbit a female? Is she above 4-6 months old? If yes, it could be just her nipples/ teats/ mammary glands.
Rabbits are so furry sometimes we may miss it. Both males and females have nipples, but the females ones are easier to feel. They have 6-8 nipples usually. Generally there's 8 (4 nipples on each side). I've had bunnies with 9 and 10 nipples.
The size and ease of feeling it depends on age, the older the more obvious. Unsterilised females ones are more obvious too. If your rabbit is going through pregnancy and lactation, or have given birth before, it's more obvious. If your rabbit is a rex rabbit (super short coated breed, the nipples can be easily seen when rabbit lays on side).
I will take note if the nipples are swollen even without pregnancy (hormonal change), leaking fluids or pus (possible mastitis), have lumps growing (possible tumour). In which I will send bunny to a rabbit savvy vet for checks
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