Fighting and humping problems

[Hayley_Mary]

Hey guys, Im having more trouble with my two little lop ear rabbits...They have just reached their "teenage years" and its a total nightmare. They where fine the past while, one rabbit started to hump the other but then he would just leave it. But now the other rabbit has started humping the other one and wont leave him alone it went on for hours last night and when I came down this morning one of my little rabbits had a cut ear. Its totally heart breaking, I have one in its cage at the minute and the other one in the kitchen but they just look so sad. Im so soft when I come to my pets.

I am thinking about getting them neutered? Do you think that could help? And what should I do should I keep them in the same cage and just try and stop any fights?

 

[NorthernAutumn]

Cut ear needs betadine and a polysporin/neosporin topical cream that contains no pain relievers (will make rabbit sick).

Keep an eye on it for pus/festering/irritation, as rabbit bites are pretty nasty.

Yes, get them booked in for a neuter of both ASAP. You'll be amazed by the difference in temperment. It has done wonders for all of my rabbits.

If humping is going on for long periods of time, it will significantly frustrate the buns. I suggest that you split up their cage, place another cage along side your original one. That way, when you are not around to directly supervise, they can still have companionship through the bars.

What are the genders?

 

[Hayley_Mary]

hi there thanks for the reply. There is still a little bit of humping but at the minute it is nothing bad...I just hope it stays that way till monday. I booked them in for first thing on monday morning and get them back that evening which is great. I have seen no more fighting and they seem to have been ok all day and his little ear seems to be healing I dont think it was too deep so am just going to leave it as it seems to be healing well and dont want to upset it. How long will the humping last it just I have to get through the weekend and I dont know if i can get teh cage split.

 

[NorthernAutumn]

Takes at least a month for all of the hormones to go away... humping should have died down in the next 3 weeks. Mind you, humping post-neuter could do a horrible number on their stitches.
(Boys or girl?)

Sorry, dear, but I'd still split the cage, or buy a new one/build a temporary NIC cage ($15)/house a bunny elsewhere ... bathtub if you don't use it/ for the next 2 weeks at least (while the wounds are healing).

They will still hump a bit in the future, but it will likely only be in a situation where one bunny is showing the other one who's boss.

Have you read our section on Neutering/Spays? Would be a very good idea...
As would the one on Post-surgical care: http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=12041&forum_id=10

Here's a particularly good old thread that covers a lot of neuter questions and things I hadn't thought of when I got my guys done: http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=9419&forum_id=1&highlight=recover


Finally, I would prompt you to make sure that they get pain meds when you arrive to take them home (The doc will give them a shot for the pain during surgery, but it wears off very quickly ) Tramadol, if you can get it, is excellent.

Remember, don't fast your bunnies beforehand. Some unsavvy vets say to starve the bun before surgery.... not needed, as rabbits can't puke.
My guys both went in still munching their hay!

 

[Hayley_Mary]

ok, sorry you asked what sex they where they are both males.

Yes the woman at the vets said not to feed them after 8pm the night before...but I usally give them their last feed before that, I like to leave hay in the cage incase they fret why its not there. I leave them in at 8:30 am so I think they will be fine.

Oh also I got the cage split my dad made me a wire frame and I just slipped it down the middle of the cage, it gives them enough room plus they get out for a run twice a day. I have them out now and they are fine, just layin here together...no humping. Would you recomend leaving the devide up after they get neutered for a while untill they heal?

I am so nervous about gettin them done, but I knwo it has to be done. Wont stop me freakin out lol

 

[NorthernAutumn]

Ignore the lady. She has no clue... Have you gotten to talk to the vet at all ? Honestly, I would want to be sure that he understood that about a rabbit... otherwise, I wouldn't trust the vet with my bunny.

Sounds harsh, but their knowledge can make all the difference.

When do you give morning feed? If it's before they go in, go for it. Keep the hay present, regardless of what they say to you. Rabbits can't go for long periods of time without food in the tummy... tends to mess them up.
Very cool that your dad is so handy
Yep, leave the divider up for sure... until they are fully healed, and calmed down. Don't want to risk torn stitches.

I think you should post on the main board for some commiseration... most of us have been through speutering ((hugs)) It is pretty nerve-wracking

 

[Hayley_Mary]

I dont usally feed them till about 12 or 1pm I am gonna feed them for I go to work tonight and then just leave them with their hay. Yes I read up about not to let them get hungry some of the links you send where really helpful thanks. I am also going to bring some of their food for them to give them once they get out of the operation. Yup I will post on the main bored sooooo nervous for them. They just look so wee for going through this