A Christmas Bunny

[ashleigheperry]

A Christmas Bunny: Days 1-4

I got a bunny for Christmas from my younger sister, who runs a teeny tiny rabbit rescue out of my parents' house. I was prepared, as I'd collected all the supplies needed previously for a would-be rescue that didn't end up working out. I've posted some of his history elsewhere, but he came from a household in which he was neglected. I'm unsure of the extent of his neglect but I know that when my sister received him, his nails were almost and inch longer than they should of been, and he's a dwarf rabbit. He has a nasty mat in the fur on his face, his eyes were watery, and he was extremely shaky. He also had very limited mobility in his back legs. My sister trimmed out the mat on his face and did a preliminary nail cut when she first got him, and was relieved that over the following few days he began moving more easily and even jumping up onto the shelf in his enclosure. He began opening up a bit and used the litter box like a champ.

Then, on the day after Christmas, I brought him home. For the first couple days I let him stay quietly in his enclosure, to get used to his new home, and only bothered him to give him food, water, and hay. And to clean out his litter box. After three days I took him out for the first time and let him explore a very small section of the carpeted bedroom. I let him try a very tiny pinch of steel cut oats and lavender as a treat. He was very shaky when I picked him up, and I'm worried he might be developing arthritis (he is about five years old). He allowed much petting, though he was keen to explore, and he let me wipe his face with a paper towel with no fuss at all.

Today, I set up a ramp in and out of his enclosure, as he has had trouble getting over the lip of the cage, and let him come out on his own. He may or may not have been enticed by a treat. :carrot After letting him explore for a while I scooped him up with only a bit of squirming and shaking, and clipped his nails a bit further. I've never clipped a rabbit's nails before so I was a bit nervous and will probably have to clip them again soon because they're still a bit too long. He was getting stressed and I didn't want to freak him out too much so I gave him a tiny treat, let him explore some more, and put him back in his enclosure with a new toy.

He seems to be doing well, and the initial introduction with our cat went even better than we expected. There was no hunting on the cat's part, just a relatively fleeting curiosity. The rabbit was pretty disinterested as well. They touched noses briefly and moved on. They've spent a bit of time together every day with very close observation, though the first two days they were separated by the rabbit's cage. I'm hoping for more improvement and I'm going to try and take him to the vet next week when my paycheck clears. He seems alright, and he's eating and pooping so well and consistently. But I want to make sure. I'll make sure to update this asap! Wish me luck.

Still undecided on a name!
I'll be listing some options below when I come up with some ideas!​

 

[pani]

What a lovely little guy! I'm glad to hear how well he's doing in his new home. :hearts

 

[PaGal]

Awwww...poor thing. He is very cute and lucky to have found a home with you.

 

[ashleigheperry]

Thanks guys! I'm so happy to have him.

Day 5

He's had a lot more spunk today. He didn't tolerate being held as well but I think I need to work on picking him up more slowly and holding him more carefully so he feels more secure. He's super forgiving though, and every time I come over the cage he sticks his nose out as far as it will go and greets me. He doesn't like to sit still though and hops around constantly when he's not in his enclosure.

Re-arranged his enclosure today. It's still much too small, as his x-pen still hasn't been delivered, but I'm making the best of it for now. Bunnyproofing the bedroom as well so he can have free range when it's ready and he's more comfortable. He's had some playtime on the bed and peed on the comforter several times so I'm trying to confine him to the floor (though he had a blast on the bed, truly). I put a shoe box lid in his enclosure to try and help contain the hay and keep it in place near his litter box, and I made him a toy out of a toilet paper roll. I stuffed it with hay, and at the center is a treat of lavender, pellets, and a tiny bit of steel cut oats. He's loving it so far, and has continued to eat and drink like a champ.

I think I might let him try some mint tomorrow!​

 

[ashleigheperry]

Days 6-7

He continues to improve. Though he doesn't really care too much about me and just goes off on his own when he's runnin' free. The cat is starting to get a bit too interested and she has to be redirected and snuggled by the boyfriend to keep her from trying to play with him. He continues to be completely disinterested in the cat which may be what bothers her the most, haha.

He's much less shaky and his jumping is stronger. He can clear the entrance of his enclosure much more easily and I'm very happy with his progress. He's spent a bit more time outside of his enclosure and he's becoming used to his half of the bedroom. I've been making him toys out of toilet paper rolls stuffed with hay and herbs. He seems to really like them, but he tears them up in minutes. Gotta find some ideas for new homemade toys!​