Angora rabbit help please!

[86121]

I just got an Angora rabbit as a companion for my Lion-head, *Made sure she was a female this time*
However she is very VERY matted. The top part of her hair is brushed very well, however it seems almost like they did not brush down far enough...
And now as I am de-matting her undercoat I am finding these cuts and small holes. Almost as if she was attacked at some point.
They seem clean though. Not infected, just open and red. They have been cleaned and taken care of so no worries there.
I dont know what caused them as I just got her.
What should I do? Should I just shave her down to make sure I haven't missed any holes or cuts, or delicately go threw the hair and just shave the parts that are around the cuts?
I have the time and skill to do both.
Help please?

 

[dewey]

Could it be fly strike or caused by mites? You can google images for both to see if hers looks like either of them. Both can cause open sores. Hoping for fast relief for her.

 

[chickbea]

If she is extremely matted, it is possible that the pulling of the matts is tearing her skin. I'm glad she has you to help her with this - extreme matting can be very painful.

 

[86121]

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The one is definitely from a matt, the other two are perfectly round holes that look almost like small teeth.
I will definitly post an update as soon as she is matt free!

 

[86121]

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She is extremely matted, and I am not sure exactly how to go about getting at the worst ones because her skin is so thin and fragile.
I have been hacking away at her fur slowly, but surely, ill make sure to post how shes doing once im done.

 

[dewey]

I'd only do a little at a time, switching areas each time. That's a lot of stress for a rabbit. If it's that bad there's always the option of taking her to the vet for clipping...unless you have the tools and are used to working with badly matted coats and injured skin, it might be the best thing.

 

[M@M@2four]

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Hello! I have very expensive professional groomer clippers and even those didn't work on my Angora(I have a white male)--I had to find a groomer to shave him. Good luck!

 

[86121]

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The good news is, she is a very good rabbit, and I have a full coat show cocker. So i am used to working with fur.
The bad news is, I might end up having to shave her down because I don't want to rip her skin or hurt her...6 hours later and I only have a small strip of her back done.
Its just such a shame, she has such beautiful pure white fur.
I did actually call the vet, and there groomer was so nice, she actually offered to come to my house to help since the local vet does not do rabbits.