Outdoor rabbits

[angora]

i recently got an English angora. We want to keep him outside. I'm concerned about pests. Would you recommend applying something to prevent pests? If so, what do you recommend?

I've attached pictures of our little guy. His name is Charlie. He got his first haircut yesterday.

 

[Leanne1990]

awwe cute bunny!
I use rear guard this time of year to prevent fly strike.
If your refering to fleas, my vet told me to only use flea treatment if you see a flea on them as it can do more harm than good if it's not needed

 

[angora]

awwe cute bunny!
I use rear guard this time of year to prevent fly strike.
If your refering to fleas, my vet told me to only use flea treatment if you see a flea on them as it can do more harm than good if it's not needed

Thanks for the reply. Is that all you use for pest prevention is the rear guard?

We have him in a rabbit hutch outside surrounded by fencing. The run is 50 square feet. I can see him sticking his head through the fencing so I'm thinking I need to go around the fence with chicken wire so he doesn't get any bad ideas.

I've only had house rabbits in the past, so keeping a rabbit outdoors is new to me. Anything else I need to know?

 

[Leanne1990]

Yes that is all I use. B
careful with chicken wire because it's very flimsy.
I use galvernised mesh panels on my run and have never had any problems, it's also easier to use too because it's square has bunny had both sets of vaccinations?

 

[angora]

Bunnies need vaccinations? (See how little I know!)

 

[Leanne1990]

Yes definitely , even Indoor bunny's need vaccinations.
They need 1 vaccination for mixomotosis and rvhd1 (rabbit viral hemorrhage disease) and then a second vaccination for RVHD2- it's another strain of the virus.
If they get it it's fatal. I
spread very easily 1 way is just by your shoes walking over a patch of ground where an infected bunny or their owner has walked and you take it home with you on your shoes and your bunny gets it.
I've read so many cases lately where people just find their poor bunny's dead one day. Its practically symptomless they just drop

 

[angora]

Wow. I've never heard of that. A lot has changed since I had house bunnies 13 years go.

If we do decide to bring him indoors, do we have to neuter him?

 

[Leanne1990]

I've just noticed your in America, sorry, I've just googled it and ive learned Buns in America don't have vaccinations. I'm from England

 

[angora]

I've just noticed your in America, sorry, I've just googled it and ive learned Buns in America don't have vaccinations. I'm from England

Oh ok!

 

[Leanne1990]

I would recommend you neutered him to be honest. Once they reach sexual maturity they can sometimes get abit agressive. You could always see how he goes and if he gets abit hormonal then get him neutered. If your planning on bonding him with a friend and not breeding him i would definitely recommend neutering him before rabbit's also have a higher risk of dying from anesthetic so you have to weigh out the risks

 

[angora]

Ok. Thanks for the info.

 

[Niomi]

What a cute rabbit! If you are looking for something to prevent fleas, you can get Revolution from your vet. Advantage for cats used to be safe, but since they changed the formula and it is now called Advantage II, I am not sure if it is safe anymore.

 

[Lionheadloady]

I would say if you want him to be a sweet family pet, I would recommend bringing him inside. Now a days most people house them inside for the sake of their well being and it also saves vet bills as they are prone to more diseases and sickness being outside. I would also recommend getting him neutered as they get really hormonal!

 

[TreasuredFriend]

Where are the vaccinations available? As I knew, the vaccinations are not available in the US.

Flystrike was being discussed on a FB bunny group with someone showing graphic photos of tbeir bun.

 

[Leanne1990]

I live in England and my buns are fully vaccinated

 

[TreasuredFriend]

Would like more info on rabbits dying from anesthesia.

Your angora Charlie is very cute. Where did you obtain Charlie? Was he housed outside previously? He truly looks like he'd welcome a spot in your home as a house bunny. After 13 years, is there a reason why you adamantly want him to stay out of your home?

Housed indoors, You and Charlie can have more interaction that way, and you won't be contending with parasites or nocturnal predators that would cause Charlie stress, or his death.

 

[Leanne1990]

If you have a chat with your vet they will advise you that with anesthetic rabbit's are at a higher risk than a cat or dog.
I know someone whose rabbit died whilst being neutered. Unfortunately it's a risk you take when you decide whether to neuter your rabbit's. Both of mine are neutered

 

[TreasuredFriend]

Yup, caught that now Leanne. I'll google on HULL to check out your location in England. So true that if you want a bunny to be a member of your family, like your dog or cat would be, you can easily bring him inside and then you'll easily spot if something is "off" from a medical condition, or stressed.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

Good to know your kids were neutered. Did you initiate the neuters of your boys?

We had an 8 m.o. Flemish die in neuter surgery in December. He was from a backyard breeder and he was in tough shape when the woman wanting to rehome him purchased him and his bro. The boys were spraying, mounting, and marking beyond words. Rehoming person put her FGs on baking soda odor-control bedding, and they had a guinea-pig sized housing unit as their cage. Pre-surgery CBC/BMP was done prior to neuters. His bro survived. Our sweet rescue boy died at the end of his surgery; I requested a necropsy. He had less than 1/4th normal lung tissue. The odor-control baking soda bedding was probably ingested as their tiny water bottle dripped onto the bedding. (Odor-control) Baking soda per internet articles verify fatalities. | We've had approx. 45 buns spayed or neutered at our DVM, perhaps more when I check the records.

A three-four month old (captured) stray was recently neutered by our DVM clinic. He did fine. His testicles dropped, and the vet said it was time. With surgeries, there is risk, but not a reason to absolutely not proceed.

 

[angora]

Update: Charlie’s inside now.