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You can also support by donating through PayPal.com at the link below: Hare of the Rabbit PayPal Thank you for your support, Jeff Hittinger. Meissner Lop The Virginia museum of Natural History offers innovative, award-winning exhibits highlighting the unique features of Virginia’s natural history. All exhibits and presentations are correlated to Virginia education standards. https://www.vmnh.net/events/details/id/330/dragon-festival The Meissner Lop rabbit is a recognized rare breed by the BRC. It is similar but more slender than the French Lop. The Meissner Lop is one of the oldest German rabbit breeds, but it is so rare today that is considered endangered. This breed got it start in 1900, when Leopold Reck, from Meissner (hence the name), decided to breed a large rabbit with a silvery fur, which was quite popular at the time. Although the true origin of the Meissner Lop rabbit is unknown, it is believed that it is the results of crossing French Lop with Mini Silver Rabbit. Even though it’s not commonly found today, there are many breeders interested in preserving this stunning rabbit breed. Meissner Lop is mostly bred in Europe, and it is recognized by The British Rabbit Council (BRA). A rare and beautiful breed, Meissner Lop rabbits are an excellent choice for a pet, as they have great, lively personality and sweet nature. Overall Description Meissner Lop rabbit is unique among the lop breeds because of their silver-dusted hair. Considered to be medium to large sized, Meissner Lop rabbits weigh from 7.5 to 10 lbs. Apart from their unique shimmery coat, these rabbits share most of their physical traits with other lop rabbits. Their body type is compact, and their bodies are stocky, slightly stretched, with arched, well rounded back. Meissner Lop rabbits have a rounded head with the distinct long ears that fall to the sides of their head. The legs and short and sturdy. The silvering of the coat (not seen until 5 - 6 weeks old) should be evenly distributed. Larger than the Klein Widder but smaller than the German Lop, the Meissner Lop Rabbit is one of the most beautiful and yet most uncommon breeds of lop-eared rabbit in the world. Known for bold coloration and prominent silver ticking, it's surprising to learn that these rabbits aren't more popular. While less massive than German and French Lops, the Meissner is known for his size and beautiful coat. Commonly weighing anywhere from 7 lbs. 12 oz. to 12 lbs. this makes the breed a size larger than the Klein Widder – the rabbit that eventually came to be known as the Mini Lop in the United States, and a bit less compact than his American cousin. In fact, the body shape of the Meissner is considerably lower in the shoulders and rising to a slow, graceful arch over the hips, rather than the basketball tightness of the Mini Lop. They still posses good bone and an overall feeling of muscled power. The head of the Meissner is not as broad nor as massive as that Of the larger French Lops, though it possesses a beautiful round shape and an nicely arched profile when viewed from the side. Does (females) have a slightly ‘weaker’ head that possesses a more feminine appearance and are also permitted to have a small dewlap. The ears hang straight down, falling just behind the eyes, with a length of 15-16 inches, when measured tip-to-tip. Additional Information: This rabbit is less massive than the German Lop. The ears are carried full. Alternative names: Meissner Hangoor (The Netherlands) Meissner Widder (Germany) The History of the Meissner Widder The true origins of the Meissner Widder are a mystery, though it’s believed that they developed in Germany during the 1920’s, when rabbit breeders began crossing silver rabbits into the lop breeds, hoping to increase the size of the beautiful silver rabbits, thereby making their valuable coats even more highly prized. At the time, it was less popular to raise one group of rabbits for fur and another for meat – ideally, if you could cross the two, you had the ideal rabbit to raise in your pens. Coat Meissner Lop rabbits have a beautiful, soft fur. Their coats are very dense, with plenty of guard hair, and of medium length- their hair is around 3 centimeters long. But the most distinctive quality of Meissner Lop’s coat is the silver ticking, which gives it a shimmery, shiny effect. None of the other Lop breeds display this silver dusting, which makes this breed unique. Their fur is easy to groom and doesn’t require any special attention, except during the molting season, when these rabbits should be brushed more often, to help them with shedding and prevent hair from ending up in their digestive tract. The coat is dense, soft and has a lustrous sheen; it lies smoothly against the body. There are distinctive "bumps" where the ears and head meet; the ends of the ears are rounded. Colors The Meissner Lop rabbit comes in all self colors, but only four of them are recognized- black, blue, yellow and Havana. Black and Blue Meissner Lops are the most common, while other colors are rarely found, due to their diminished numbers. Regardless of the color of the coat, their fur is always silvered evenly throughout the body (less so on the ears and legs), giving the hair a mesmerizing sheen. Their body is to possess an even dusting of silver hairs throughout, though the face and toes may be slightly less silvered. Meissner Lop rabbit is unique among the lop breeds because of their silver-dusted hair. BRC 1. Type – Not as stocky and compact as the French Lop. The body is longer with the back nicely arched and well rounded at the rear. The legs are strong and straight. A small well formed dewlap is permissible in older does. 2. Weight - Ideal weight 4.5kg (10lb) to a maximum weight 5.5kg (12lb). Minimum weight 3.5kg (7.3/4lb) 3. Head and Ears – The head has a beautiful arched profile. The forehead is broad but not as massive as that of the French Lop. The head of the doe is somewhat weaker than that of the buck. The ears rise from the crown and are carried with the inside aspect close to and facing the cheeks. They should hang down straight, behind the eyes, without being carried forward or backwards. Ear length 38-42cm (15-16 in) 4. Fur – The fur is of medium length approximately 3cm (1.1/4in) and quitedense. Evenly interspersed with guard hairs. 5. Color – All self colors and yellow. 6. Silvering and Evenness – Top color to be evenly silvered over the whole body. It is permissible for the nose, muzzle and toes to be less strongly silvered. 7. CONDITION - as standard for all breeds. FAULTS - Minor deviation in type. Poor ear carriage. Deviation from ideal ear length. DISQUALIFICATIONS - Severe deviation in type. Adult ear length less than 36cm and over 42cm. Horizontal or partly erect ears. Too short in body. Completely dark head without any silvering. Plus standard faults and disqualifications. Note, that a lack of any silvering on the Meissner may look strikingly beautiful, it is considered a disqualification from the show table. The Meissner should also have all dark toenails. Care Requirements Meissner Lop rabbits are well known as lively and friendly. When it comes to living conditions, Meissner Lop rabbits are no different than other breeds. They can be kept indoors or outdoors, provided that all their needs are met, but, if you want to keep this breed as a family pet, it’s best to keep them in your home. That way, the rabbit can socialize better with his family and will be much friendlier to people. In both cases, your bunny will need a proper enclosure to spend their time in. Due to their size, Meissner Lop rabbits will require a relatively large enclosure, in which they can lounge around, stretch their legs and sit. The floor of the hutch or the enclosure should be lined with rabbit-friendly bedding, which is to be cleaned daily and replaced entirely every week. Meissner Lop rabbits are well known as lively and friendly, and they need to be let out of their enclosures each day for some quality playtime. However, when you allow your bunny outside, whether in your yard or indoors, you need to make sure to create a safe environment for them. Inside your home, you’ll need to rabbit-proof everything, hiding or removing any items that could hurt them or that they could damage, like electric cables or dangerous foods. In the outdoor areas, their playing space needs to be fenced and protected from potential predators. Their diet is the same as that of any other rabbit. They require a lot of hay, with the addition of pellets, fruits, and veggies and a constant source of fresh water. Meissner Lop rabbits are known as good feeders, so they are not usually picky and have a healthy appetite. Health Meissner Lop rabbits don’t have any hereditary diseases or breed-specific health issues, but they do need proper care to lead long and healthy lives. The most common problems that affect all rabbit breeds are overgrown teeth, GI stasis, and viruses such as myxomatosis (prevented by vaccination). Rabbit’s teeth continuously grow throughout their life, so it’s essential to provide them with a way to grind them down. This means you’ll need to feed them a lot of roughage, like hay, which helps their teeth stay in good shape. But, rabbits don’t only nibble on hay and carrots. They are big on grooming themselves, which often leads to hairballs getting stuck in their digestive tract. Since rabbits can’t vomit the hair out (like cats), the hair blocks their intestines, which, if left untreated, can have fatal consequences. To prevent this, groom your bunny regularly and watch out for any warning signs- constipation, lethargy, loss of appetite or poop connected by strands of hair. Unless you plan on breeding your rabbits, you should consider spaying or neutering. It’s a simple, routine procedure that will make them more calm and docile, prevent potential problems with reproductive organs, and eliminate the possibility of urine marking. Temperament/Behavior Not unlike all Lop breeds, Meissner Lop rabbits are friendly, affectionate and sweet-tempered. However, Silver Rabbits are a part of their ancestry, which means these bunnies are more active and lively than other lop rabbits. They will need to be let out of their enclosures each day, because they like to roam about and spend all that energy. Meissner Lop rabbits love playing, so bunny toys and some quality playtime with their owner is all they need to be happy. They enjoy attention and being petted and make great pets for singles or seniors. Playful, sweet, and friendly, these rabbits make lovely family pets. As they have a good character and are relatively calm, they can be an excellent choice for families with older children, as well. However, it is important to educate your kids how to safely handle a rabbit, to prevent injuries or accidents. If you plan on keeping a rabbit as a pet in your apartment or house, litter training them will make things much easier for both you and them. Even though rabbits are not as easy to potty train like, say, cats, with a little patience and effort they can be taught to “do their business” in a designated area. The Meissner Lop Rabbit as a Pet Part of the reason that the Meissner Lop is considered a rare or endangered breed is most likely due to his inability to compete with larger meat rabbits, yet the large size makes him less popular as a pet as well. With dwarf and mini breeds being all the rage, the average 10-pound Meissner lop will require more space to keep and usually eats a considerable amount more than his smaller cousins. Perhaps the most challenging thing about keeping a Meissner Widder as a pet is simply finding one. Found only in Europe, the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) does not recognize the Meissner Lop breed and, even in their home country, you may find yourself paying a bit more for the rabbit, as well as doing quite a bit of legwork before you find someone who raises quality Meissner Widder. When you do, however, it’s certainly worth all the wait. Perhaps raising interest in the breed can help to revitalize them and keep this beautiful breed of bunny from being lost. http://www.petguide.com/breeds/rabbit/meissner-lop/ http://vetbook.org/wiki/rabbit/index.php?title=Meissner_Lop http://devonminilops.weebly.com/meissner-lops.html http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/0MLagomorph/Leporidae/Oryctolagus/Oryctolagus_cuniculus/Img_O_cuniculus_dom/BRC21-30p04_Meissner_Lop.htm https://treepony.com/rabbit-breed-profiles-the-meissner-lop/ Matted Hair and Hairballs in the Stomach in Rabbits Trichobezoars in Rabbits A trichobezoar is a technical reference for a mat of hair that has been ingested, and that is often combined with thick or undigested food. It is located in the stomach and/or intestines. It is not abnormal to find hair in a rabbit's stomach, since they self-groom, and this normally would not cause symptoms or be a cause for concern or a sign of disease. However, inspissated stomach contents (thick, dry, and less fluid and motile), which may include hair, is an abnormal finding and a cause for further inspection. The finding of inspissated contents or a mass of hair may suggest that your rabbit is receiving too little fiber in its diet, or that there is a problem with its gastrointestinal tract. Unlike cats, which also can suffer from excessive trichobezoars, rabbits are not physically capable of vomiting the contents of their stomachs. For this reason, everything that goes into a rabbit's mouth must be able to pass through the digestive tract, otherwise, the presence of excess hair can lead to severe complications, such as intestinal blockage. If the issue is not resolved quickly, the condition can be fatal. Symptoms and Types The signs, symptoms, and type of trichobezoars suffered by the rabbit can depend largely on the causes for the disease and the severity of the problem. Some common signs and symptoms of matted hair in the stomach may include: Inappropriate eating habits, including consumption of too many pellets, cereals, and grains during the day History of illness or stress Weight loss Chronic disease Scant and small fecal pellets Diarrhea Abdominal distension Slow movement in the stomach, distension or hardening of the stomach Firm indigestible material found in the stomach Few abdominal sounds coming from the stomach Delayed emptying of the stomach Abdominal pain on palpation or touching of the stomach Decreased activity, and too much time spent in caged quarters Teeth grinding, hunched posture and other signs of pain Weakness or collapse Symptoms of shock Causes There are several causes for trichobezoars, or hairballs, in the stomachs of rabbits. These include improper nutrition, and dehydration of the stomach contents. Sometimes metabolic diseases, pain, or stress can contribute to the formation and accumulation of hairballs or matted hair in the stomach. Usually, the finding is that too little gastrointestinal motility is to blame for the collection of hair and other materials in the stomach. One of the culprits may be feeding the rabbit too little hay or coarse fiber, necessary for pushing contents through the digestive tract. Anorexia - an inability to eat -- or simply a prolonged poor appetite can also contribute to the problem. Diagnosis There will always be conditions to rule out prior to diagnosing trichobezoars, or related conditions. Diagnostic imaging, such as what can be viewed on X-ray, will allow your veterinarian to investigate the functions of the colon and gastrointestinal tract, and to view the stasis (obstruction), or inability of the digestive tract to pass fecal matter through to the anus. Your doctor will need to determine if there is in fact an obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract, or in the motility, and whether a life-threatening emergency may exist. If an obstruction is found, emergency treatment will be necessary, as this can quickly cause a life threatening situation. In acute (sudden) cases, shock may occur, so it is important to take sensible action quickly. Distension of the stomach is usually clear, and a quick inspection by your veterinarian will find food and hair in the gastric contents. Ultrasound is an excellent diagnostic tool for visualization of the stomach's contents, and to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment Severe bloating of the abdomen can be life-threatening, so prompt treatment will be vital to the life of your rabbit. If you find your rabbit with an abnormally distended belly, you will need to take it to the veterinary clinic to be evaluated as soon as possible. Treatment will consist of immediate administration of fluid therapy to re-hydrate the gastric contents in the hope of making the contents more motile. Stomach massage can also sometimes help relieve impacted contents from the stomach cavity. Decompression may also be helpful. Activity is often recommended for more mobile animals to help promote action within the gastrointestinal system, and a proper diet is essential for restoring proper growth of intestinal flora, and prevention of the overgrowth of bacterial pathogens that could disrupt the healthy growth of bacteria in the gut. A large selection of natural greens, including collard greens, romaine lettuce, parsley, and spinach are a few of the many greens that are recommended as part of a healthy daily diet for rabbits. Living and Management If your rabbit is capable of moving, you should continue to encourage it to do so, avoid pellets and other unhealthy snacks unless otherwise advised by your veterinarian. Rest and relaxation is recommended, with frequent breaks for stretching and motion. Analgesics (pain relievers) can be helpful for relieving intestinal pain, and antibiotic therapy may be helpful for patients with the diarrhea that is associated with bacterial infections. Be sure to continue the full prescribed treatment until the medication is completely used, and then follow-up with your veterinarian for further advice. Some drugs, such as NSAIDs, are not indicated for rabbits that are suffering from renal (kidney) failure, and in fact could be placed at further health risk of administered the wrong drugs. You will need to make sure that your veterinarian is aware of your rabbit's health history, especially if your rabbit needs to be treated on an emergency basis and the animal caregiver is not familiar with your rabbit's background health. There are safer drug alternatives that can be just as effective. Rabbits that are treated promptly and effectively for trichobezoars have a good prognosis for a complete recovery. https://www.petmd.com/rabbit/conditions/digestive/c_rb_trichobezoars The Girl Who Transformed Herself into a Hare Germany In Trent there formerly lived a girl who had inherited a witch's thong from her grandmother. Whenever she tied the thong around herself she would turn into a hare. In this form she often heckled a forester who lived in the vicinity. Whenever he would shoot at her, his bullets just glanced off her pelt. When he came to realize that there was something uncanny going on here, he loaded his flintlock with a coffin nail that he had somehow acquired. The next time he saw the hare, he shot it as it was running away. In an instant the hare disappeared, and the girl stood before him in its place. With tears she asked him for help, for she had a serious wound on her foot. In order to gain his sympathy, she confessed her evil power to the forester, promising never again to make use of it. For a time she kept her promise, but no sooner had her foot healed than she fell back into her old vices. Now her fiancé worked as a herdsman at a nearby estate, and she frequently made use of her thong in order to visit him often and undisturbed. Her fiancé knew nothing of her powers, and one day when she appeared before him as a hare -- for she had not yet had time to assume her human form -- he struck her with a water carrier. As a result she started to bleed profusely, and with tears she confessed to her fiancé what her situation was. He broke off his relationship with her. She remained lame for the rest of her life. It is said that the witch's thong was later buried in the grandmother's grave. Germany On two days a hunter from Freiburg saw a hare in Schlossberg Forest and shot at it.] Both times it stood still, looked mockingly at the man, only running away when the latter hurried toward it. The hunter presumed that he was dealing with witchcraft, so he loaded his gun with consecrated powder, then used this to shoot at the hare when he saw it a third time. Instead of a hare, a female personage was there, standing on her head and bleeding from a gunshot wound in her breast. When the hunter touched her, she fell to the ground dead. https://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type3055.html#haas Word of the week: Obligation © Copyrighted