New bun concerns

[Sarah Hicks]

Last week we got our first bunny we had very little information about her as we bought we at rural king (like tractor supply) and it turns out that she was very sick when we got her. She passed away yesterday even with vet treatment. My son is way to young to understand what happened so this morning after buying a new cage, liter box and toys we brought home a new bunny.

I’m seriously over worrying so much about this little girl. We decided to pay the extra money to go to a breeder. She is a 8 week old holland lop. I’ve left her alone for the most part other than to quickly check on her so she can get use to her new home. She has stayed in her litter box eating tons of hay. Three concerns are

1 - she hasn’t pooped yet. Our first bunny never pooped when we brought her home, so Im obviously worried about her.

3 - she drank from a bowl with the breeder so we gave her a bowl full of fresh water but she hasn’t left her litter box to drink any. I went ahead and added a bottle right by her litter box so she could drink but she has no interest in that.

2 - her breathing seems off to me. I can’t seem to get a video posted, but it’s fast breathing. She is shaking but it almost looks like she is vibrating kinda. Normal considering I’m sure she is scared of her new surroundings? Or a cause for concern?

 

[Blue eyes]

Since it is still the first day, none of the issues you mentioned seem worrisome. It is wise to leave her undisturbed the first 48 hours anyway.

The fact that she's eating tons of hay is excellent. That should make her thirsty and hopefully you will see in the morning that she's had some water. By then, I'd expect to see some poos as well.

Just keep an eye out tomorrow and see how she does.

 

[Sarah Hicks]

Since it is still the first day, none of the issues you mentioned seem worrisome. It is wise to leave her undisturbed the first 48 hours anyway.

The fact that she's eating tons of hay is excellent. That should make her thirsty and hopefully you will see in the morning that she's had some water. By then, I'd expect to see some poos as well.

Just keep an eye out tomorrow and see how she does.

Thank you! My husband keeps telling me I’m over worrying but after the experience we had with our first bun I just can’t help but worry about her

 

[JBun]

Could she maybe not want to get out of the litter box because the cage floor is just the plastic and feels slick to her? If so you may need to put something down like a fleece blanket or something to give her some traction. And maybe move her onto it so she can see that the flooring isn't slick anymore. If you still can't get her to stay out of the litter box, maybe try putting a bowl of water in there with her until you can figure something else out.

Usually a rabbit that is scared won't be eating. Since she is eating hay, it's not as likely that she is feeling nervous as well. Though I'm not sure why it would seem like she is shaking or why she would be breathing fast. Her body language in the picture doesn't make me think she is feeling nervous at all. Maybe partially cover the cage with a sheet or blanket so she feels like she has a more protected safe space to be in.

Usually it follows that if a rabbit is eating they will also eventually poop. If she hasn't pooped or drank anything by morning then you might need to intervene. But I would be surprised after she's had a quiet night, that you don't have some poop in there and the water level down. Remember for a bunny that size the poops can be pretty small, so they might be hiding down in that litter somewhere.

 

[Augustus&HazelGrace]

Can I ask which rural king in Kentucky you bought her from? I sell to Rural King in Henderson, but I have noticed that the ones in Madisonville are not very well taken care of. I actually bought one from there because I knew she was sick, and got her help and she turned out ok.

 

[Sarah Hicks]

Could she maybe not want to get out of the litter box because the cage floor is just the plastic and feels slick to her? If so you may need to put something down like a fleece blanket or something to give her some traction. And maybe move her onto it so she can see that the flooring isn't slick anymore. If you still can't get her to stay out of the litter box, maybe try putting a bowl of water in there with her until you can figure something else out.

Usually a rabbit that is scared won't be eating. Since she is eating hay, it's not as likely that she is feeling nervous as well. Though I'm not sure why it would seem like she is shaking or why she would be breathing fast. Her body language in the picture doesn't make me think she is feeling nervous at all. Maybe partially cover the cage with a sheet or blanket so she feels like she has a more protected safe space to be in.

Usually it follows that if a rabbit is eating they will also eventually poop. If she hasn't pooped or drank anything by morning then you might need to intervene. But I would be surprised after she's had a quiet night, that you don't have some poop in there and the water level down. Remember for a bunny that size the poops can be pretty small, so they might be hiding down in that litter somewhere.

That’s how the breeder had her cage set U.K. with them. She said leaving the part that isn’t a litter box without anything on it helps them realize where they should go to the bathroom.

She immediately jumped from the floor to the litter box when getting in her cage the first time so she hasn’t even walked on the other side when I posted this.

However after my son went to bed we opened her cage and she was more than happy to get out and explore and then when back in her cage explored that as well.

She has started pooping and drinking water as well!

 

[Sarah Hicks]

Can I ask which rural king in Kentucky you bought her from? I sell to Rural King in Henderson, but I have noticed that the ones in Madisonville are not very well taken care of. I actually bought one from there because I knew she was sick, and got her help and she turned out ok.

We got her from the rural king in Elizabethtown town.

 

[Augustus&HazelGrace]

Oh, I haven't been to that one. If you want another rabbit in the future, I would be willing to meet halfway, I live in Webster County and I sell mini rex.

 

[Sarah Hicks]

Oh, I haven't been to that one. If you want another rabbit in the future, I would be willing to meet halfway, I live in Webster County and I sell mini rex.

We don’t plan to get anymore. One is is enough for our crazy household lol but i will keep you in mind!