New Bunny Owner - Introduction

[sickntired]

Hi, my name is Melissa and I just recentlyrescued a bunny from a bad situation. His name is Hopper andtoday I took him to be neutered (ouch, poor fella). Last yearin October, my sons father bought a rabbit for my son and his stepson. After hearing how he went through dogs, had one for amonth, got rid of it got another got rid of it and so on....Iquestioned my son about the rabbit. He said that the rabbitlived in the basement and the only time it was ever out of it's cagewas when it was first brought home from the petshop. I had my son ask if the rabbit could visit atour house and that is when...I don't know how to describe how I felt (I have never had a rabbit). The thing smelled and it wasmessy (spraying, etc.). His nails were over an inch long andhe was thin. I don't think I realized how thin he was until Igot him home and realized that the rabbit hadn't pooped or pee'd inover three hours. Why did he smell so bad? I didn'tunderstand. When I went to open what little food was given tome with the rabbit, the rabbit put his long nails around the cage andshook it for attention. He rushed me out the door and ran tothe food. He was starving. I searched for info onthe web and that is how I found this site.

I read he was suppose to have all the hay he wanted, but he would eatconstantly...I think in fear he would never eat again. Therewas always a river of liquid (pee?) in the bottom of his cage....Iwasn't sure if it was pee or his bottle was leaking....I think it wasboth so I bought him a new bigger bottle (because I'd have to fill his20 oz bottle three times a day). I think he was also afraidhe wasn't going to get water again. I had fun shopping forthe little guy, hoping to potty train him....got him toys a feeder binso he couldn't knock over his bowl, special pellet litter,etc. Then I became very sad, that he would have to go back to"the bad" place. At least he would have a good water bottleand a bin, but would they feed him and give him water? So Idevised a plan....

I told them that I took the bunny to vet and the vet was concernedabout the bunny's weight and that there was something wrong withhim. Just as I suspected, they didn't want the rabbitback....especially if there was something wrong with it. NowI'm thinking they were trying to starve it to death. I knowmy telling this lie was a terrible thing, but Hopper needed to berescued and although I didn't want a rabbit, he needed me.That day I called to make him a neuter appointment.

Here we are today....I hope he is alright, what can I expect when I gethim home? He's gained a lot of weight. Can't seehis hip bones anymore, can only slightly feel his spinebones. He is now potty trained, with his peeanyway. He must only eat what he wants because he now haswater and food leftover and he doesn't smell anymore (I think he wasclose to death when I got him and that's why he smelled).He's much more active (hoppy) he has a neck (he didn't have one before,or he couldn't stretch his head due to weakness).What a difference a month makes!

I've been checking out your homemade cages, etc. Great ideasand great work! I would appreciate any advice you can give,especially on what I can expect when he returns home from hisneuter.:shock:

Thanks.

 

[black_jack]

Yay :groupparty:sounds like u have done a lovelything. My gues is, is that if you read through the stickynotes and use the search engine to help answer any questions u shouldalready be well away. I'm surprised no one has beaten me tocongratulate u :star:

sometimes in life we have to tell white lies by the sounds of things its just aswell u did.

Have u got any specific questions u want to ask?

 

[black_jack]

when he gets home from his neuter expect to have to monitor that he is eating and going to the toilet.

If u havent already replace any hay/saw dust with clean white towels sothat he doesnt get a scratched bottom its something comfyfor them and can help monitor toilet activities u may need to bribe himwith treats to encourage him to eat but most vets dont let u pick themup until they've been to the loo and nibbled xx

 

[sickntired]

Thanks for the welcome! I guess rightnow I'm hoping that Hopper doesn't get depressed from hisneuter. He's been through so much, has anyone had any badreactions from a neuter?

I actually visited a Humane Society near my town and talked with thelady who cared for the bunnies and she gave me a lot of info andadvice....there was one rabbit there who she said wasn't the same sincehis neuter, not as friendly.

 

[Flopsy]

[align=center]:bunnydance: Great Job:bunnydance:
The world needs more people like you.
:runningrabbit:

-Ashley & Flopsy
[/align]

 

[Shuu]

Neutering can change their personalities, butusually so they're less aggressive. The one at the shelter was probablyonly friendly cause he wanted a girl. In actuality he was probably ashy rabbit to begin with.
Just expect Hopper to be tired and sore. Like everyone said, make sure he's eating, peeing and pooping.

It was a good thing you did with Hopper. One lie to save a rabbit'slife is a small price to pay. Welcome to the forum and remember,pictures always please us.

 

[black_jack]

If anthing neuter makes them less aggressive andless smelly lol. I have to admit I have had a male and femaleneutered the male wasn't as worrying as the female as it is a fairlysimple and routine op so please dont worry

just give him tonnes of treats and keep a close eye on him and he should be okay by the way...



:colors:welcome!:colors:

 

[dootsmom]

Hi Melissa, First of all, Welcome tothe forum. It's good to know that you have learned so much,in the last month, just from "lurking"!!! Hopper should be alittle groggy...maybe. Within 3 days, he should be back tohis "normal" self. Just keep his cage & litter cleanto avoid any infection. I have to thank you, for taking himin. Your little lie has probably saved his life. Ashe grows stronger, his personality will emerge and he will delight youas much as you have delighted him. I nearly cried when I readyour story....first, with sadness, because of hismisery....then, with joy, because he has finally found someone thatcares for him. Hugs for him & Hugs foryou!!!! Charlotte

 

[pamnock]

Welcome to the forum Melissa! What astory you have to share! You might try giving Hopper a littleNutri Cal daily (high cal supplement for dogs and cats). Thiswill help him regain the weight and will keep his strength up throughthe neuter.

Pam

 

[sickntired]

Thank you everyone! Hopper is my firstrabbit, but not my first rescue. I have six rescue cats, ahamster (had a bad eye and was being picked on by the other hamsters inthe pet store), two fish and a dog (the fish are notrescues). I rescue because my heart tells me its the rightthing to do and I rescued Hopper because he was so obviously starvingit wasn't funny and my sonloved him.

Hopper has only been aggressive when I open up his cage, he wants outand he wants food! He already has quite thepersonallity. He unties my shoes and hides behind thecurtains and chair cover, like I can't see his little feet.Even pushes the limits by trying to nibble on the cord to thelamp.

I have a much larger cage for him, but I didn't want to change too muchof his environment at one time. When do you think I shouldintroduce him to his new home/cage? Or doesn't it matter.

 

[CorkysMom]

Good for you!!! WHen my boys gotneutered they were just a lil tired, but came thru it veryeasily!! What a wonderful thing you've done!

 

[black_jack]

sickntired wrote:

Thank you everyone! Hopper is my first rabbit, butnot my first rescue. I have six rescue cats, a hamster (had abad eye and was being picked on by the other hamsters in the petstore), two fish and a dog (the fish are not rescues). Irescue because my heart tells me its the right thing to do and Irescued Hopper because he was so obviously starving it wasn't funny andmy sonloved him.

Hopper has only been aggressive when I open up his cage, he wants outand he wants food! He already has quite thepersonallity. He unties my shoes and hides behind thecurtains and chair cover, like I can't see his little feet.Even pushes the limits by trying to nibble on the cord to thelamp.

I have a much larger cage for him, but I didn't want to change too muchof his environment at one time. When do you think I shouldintroduce him to his new home/cage? Or doesn't it matter.

would probably let him recover from the neuter 1st and then let himexplore his new home on his own? put treats in there and let him wonderin.

 

[Kricket]

Hey Melissa! Welcome! And I think you did a GREAT thing! Hopper knows it too!

Any specific things concerning you? As black_jack said, the'sticky' topics are very helpful. It seems like LOTS of infoat first, but as time goes on, you can hone in on specificconcerns. This is a great source of information for new (andold) bunny owners.

Not sure why he smelled so bad. Perhaps his rump is coveredwith urine? The only thing that makes rabbits smell bad is afilthy cage or litter box or diarrhea. Or in the worst casean abbcess can be really stinky...

My little Shorty was a GREAT bunny before his neuter. He waseven MORE sweet after the neuter. And he is an even betterlitter-box-user since the 'snip.' The only way a newlyneutered bun should be treated is touse paper (or cloth)towels instead of litter (to minimize infection). Don't lethim run around for about a week (or more) and give him ALL the hay, orpellets or carrots he wants to get better.

Will Hopper be an indoor bunny? Do you have otherpets? OH!! And how old is Hopper? Whatkind of bunny? Do tell all!

 

[sickntired]

Yes, Hopper will be an indoor bunny. Iwas going to build him a cage like I saw on this site (with wheels) foroutside, but the lady at the Humane Society said that flies will layeggs on his bum and this is bad, so unless you guys can tell meotherwise, I gave up on that idea. He would only be outsidewhile someone was home, not full time.

Hopper was bought from a pet store in October 2004, so I'm assuminghe's coming up on ayear old or so. The originalowner called the petstore and they said that he was most likely aDutch??? But the lady at the Humane Society says he sounds like a mixedbreed. He is white with black and brown spots, (looks similarto Trinia's bunny sig), but different spots of course and I thinkHopper's ears are longer. I was also surprised to see that hedidn't have a "cotton" like tail. It's kind of flat and curlsup. He's also missing a toe (probably from his long nails onthe wire cage).

 

[Carolyn]

Welcome aboard,sickntired.

-Carolyn

 

[sickntired]

Another question....I was told by a rabbit ownerthat I could give Hopper dandelions and clover from my yard as long asthere was not chemicals used on or around them. Lady at theHS said this was too dangerous and not to feed them anything exceptfrom a grocery store. I would think there would be morechemicals on commercial products. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Kricket]

Dandelions are fine. I'd just rinsethem first. Even if there are no pesticides used (just incase a dog urinated on them). Dandelion greens are one of mybuns favorites! It is ok to house your bunnyoutside just make sure the temps aren't over 90. About theflies, that usually happens to bunnies that (most likely) are living infilthy conditions which flies are attracted to. You can putthose sticky fly papers around the cage AND add a little bit of vanillato their water. I have heard that keeps the fliesaway. I am not sure how that helps, but I believe the fliesare put off by the scent or taste of the vanilla. I will findthe thread about fly strike and post it in this thread. Hugs!

Try this:

http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=7230&forum_id=1&highlight=fly+strike

 

When One is put inthe position you and Hoppy were in, the lie you thinkyou told wasnt even a Lie, it was a truth ,In fact in suchincidence I would also be proneto tell such a Fib I would have throwneverything at them including threats of police tohave gotten that poor rabbitthe heck out of there , YOU dida great thing , If It was myDaughter who had donesuch a horrendous thing I wouldhave clobbered her up side her head , noless than deserved , I just hopethey never decide to getanother Rabbit.

Welcome to t he forum and whenyou get a chance please postpictures we all love picturesof the Rabbits beingtalked over .

 

[Zee]

Welcome to the Forum !!!!!!

As to what the lady said at the HS, unforunately she is wrong withthe dandelions and clover, they are fine to give to rabbits, butobviously in moderation.

Here is a link to help you. It is theABC’s of Rabbit Safe Vegetables &Fruits It has helped me, so I hope it helps you.

http://www.adoptarabbit.com/articles/packet/abcvegi.html

I can also recommend the sticky's. There is alot of informativeinformation. Feel free to ask questions. We have RabbitBreeders as well as Pet Rabbit Owners, so there is always someone thatcan either answer your question/concern or point you in the rightdirection.

As everyone else has said here "WE LOVE PICTURES" can't wait to see what your bun is like.

One last thing, Thank you for saving that bun. It was a caring thing todo. Im sure that you will get lots of love in return from you bun forsaving his life.

:highfive: :bouquet::kiss:


sickntired wrote:

Another question....Iwas told by a rabbit owner that I could give Hopper dandelions andclover from my yard as long as there was not chemicals used on oraround them. Lady at the HS said this was too dangerous andnot to feed them anything except from a grocery store. Iwould think there would be more chemicals on commercialproducts. Any thoughts on this?

 

[sickntired]

Flopsy wrote:

[align=center]:bunnydance: Great Job:bunnydance:
The world needs more people like you.
:runningrabbit:

-Ashley & Flopsy
[/align]

Thanks to everyone for the welcome and advice. Yeah, theworld needs a bunch more lyin' bunny thieves!! Ilove the animation, I'm sure Hopper won't be doing this little dancethis evening.

And here is hoping those idiots never ever get another pet as long asthey live, although I doubt it! I think the Mrs. is pregnantand they don't take much better care of their two legged children!