Groomed Fiver...woooww!!

[maherwoman]

Last night, I took Fiver out for his meds, and decided to try to groom out some DEEP mats he's had in his hind quarter area (by his tail, and on his haunches). I've been feeling them, watching how they were doing the whole time he's been here...I wanted to see if he would groom them out, or if I had to do it for him. Also, I was waiting for him to finally calm down after being rescued...and he finally has...

So, I decided last night that he needed lots of help, and for me to just take the dang things out for him. He was VERY VERY good...just sat there on the table while I brushed away. I had to use a kitty grooming brush (with the wire bristles) because the flea comb just wouldn't get down deep enough or take those mats out well enough, but I was careful not to hurt his skin, so he's fine.

Turns out there was a LOT more matting going on there than I thought! Here's what I groomed out of ONE SIDE on him:

And with brushes to give an idea of size...

But, it didn't come without a price...about half an hour of grooming, and he was MORE than ready to go home when I picked him up (and he still has more for me to do on the other side, unfortunately). He took one look at his cage, and decided to HIGH TAIL it out of my arms, but we were still a foot from his cage, so I had to hang on to him (despite the raking claws) so he didn't just fall to the floor...and this was the result...OUCH!!!

Needless to say, it took a minute of putting something cool on the area for it to start to feel better. Reminded me of the first time picking up Maisie to give her those meds back in July of 06! Wow...whew!

I still have the lines on my upper chest this morning, too...sheesh!

Needless to say, I wasn't mad at him, or anything...I can understand, someone grooming out no doubt annoying mats out of your fur, pulling the fur slightly, probably hurting a little, and then you see home, and you're RUNNIN' for it! I don't blame him!

Poor baby...but BOY does that side feel so soft and nice now!!

My poor sweetie...he's come a long way, hasn't he?

 

[polly]

ouch Rosie i have had a few like that myself !! i bet he feels a lot better without all those tuggies down there thoughwell doen to you though its hard work !!

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

My first bun, BunBun was like that, he hated to be held. I've had marks like that on my chest, arms and stomach. Of course you can't get mad at the little buggers. It's their nature.

I got smart after a couple years of that and started holding him feet outward, that worked a ton better. One hand under the rump and the other around the midsection, with my hand under the armpit. This worked like a charm. He didn't struggle at all, but he'd act like he was biting himself at his moolap of occupy himself while I carried him to his cage.

Maybe this is an option for you, but I wouldn't tryit until he was more used to being handled.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Poor baby!!! and poor mama!!! Don't let that discourage you from brushing and holding him. It happens to me with all of them but mostly when they are tired of being groomed.

Tony will leap (or attempt to) all the time going to his cage or into the play area!

Fiver looks so comfy in his house tho LOL! he's come a LONG way

 

[maherwoman]

Thanks, guys! Yeah, that was rough...and don't worry...it didn't discourage me...he's gonna need to get those other mats out (probably tonight), so I've gotta be strong and continue doing what I'm doing.

Boy, has it been a journey. Fiver's taught me a lot...that sweet little mush of a bun!

He's really opened up a whole new side of bunny slaveness for me! Why, just a moment ago, I was able to give someone advice on how to pick up their buns! That's a first! But I've learned so much from Fiver, and by extension my other buns, that I felt comfortable giving advice on it.

It's really neat...each one of them opened the door to this or that, for me to feel more confident in having bunnies. Each one has their own separate needs and quirks. It's really neat!

But, wow, does that area where I groomed him last night feel SOFT!! It's so nice to pet him there and feel just SOFT FUR, instead of underlying mats...poor guy...

And he looked SOOOO much more relaxed last night, laying all stretched out in his cage (that picture above of him is from about a week and a half ago, I believe)...I think not having those mats there really felt a lot better for him. Poor little boy...

I keep tellin' him, "Mama's workin' on it, Sweetheart!" And letting him know that Mama will handle the other side probably tonight.

Having animals is SOOO rewarding...

 

[~BunBuns~]

ohh man... that must of hurt like crazy!!:shock:

-April and Bunbuns

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Bunny scratches hurt really bad don't they? Like a burn. I say it all the time.... "it's a good thing they are so cute!" LOL!

 

[maherwoman]

YES!! It hurt like MAD! I couldn't believe how LONG it hurt, too...a few hours later, I was putting something cool against it to help...and it felt SO MUCH better afterward.

Poor guy was just scared...and upset at his fur being pulled for that long...

But, you couldn't be more right...they're lucky they're cute! I tell the cats that all the time, too, hehe!

 

[stephiemarie78]

aww rosie i can't count how manytimes i've been scrached in that same area! once it was sooo bad that it left a small scar! now i wear a heavy teeshirt or put a towel on my chest. them hurts bad!