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Last Post 08/14/2009 02:13 PM by bunnytowne. 37 Replies.
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Kokaneeandkahlua User is Offline
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10/07/2008 08:04 PM

Chuck as most of you know is blind and deaf, so he only has three senses left and is often a little nervous. Two things I'm working on is his comfort level and his enjoyment of playing and life in general.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on this! I'm sometimes not the most creative so there may be better things I could be doing for little Chucky.

 

One thing is his comfort level-He does immediately figure out where he is by thouching all the corners when placed somewhere. To accomodate him in this regard I always put him in the same two exact spots. His couch, I put him in the same spot on it, on his blanky. Back to his 'room' I put him down in the same position in the same litter box. This way he can sort of hopefully start to predict where he's going and feel more confident and less helpless.

The other thing I do is I don't pet him out of the blue, it makes him jump. Can't really tell him I'm coming either. Sooo I gently touch one whisker before head pets. It seems to be working as he immediately lowers his head for nose rubs now when I do this.

 

Another thing is his exercise or fun. The ONLY thing I've found so far that he loves (beyond eating alot and sleeping in majorly cute flop positions) is digging and attacking his blanky. Soo he has one on his couch and a towel to play with...they both look like swiss cheese. And he has a little blanky in his home area. He's doing really well and even lost his fat 'skirt' he had when he first came, even though he's a massive eater, presumedly from finding some daily exercise terrorrizing blankets.

 

Just wondering if anyone had more suggestions to make him feel more comfortable and help him play more?

 

[script removed]IMG_1531.jpg picture by kokaneeandkuhluha

 

[script removed]IMG_1534.jpg picture by kokaneeandkuhluha

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(dig)x(me)x(now) User is Offline
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10/07/2008 09:02 PM
It sounds like you're doing a great job - much better than I would have thought of! There's a REW missing a leg at the shelter near me that I want to adopt so bad... she's the sweetest girl ever, but I don't think I can care for a second bunny right now

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Boston User is Offline
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10/07/2008 09:37 PM

omg K&K, what an amazing person you are! sounds like you really have it under control and he looks pretty happy!!!

would bonding him w/ another bun help him to be more comfortable? or would the bonding process be too stressfull?

how did Chuck end up deaf/blind and how did you end up w/ him?

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Kokaneeandkahlua User is Offline
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10/07/2008 10:39 PM
Thanks everyone

I've no idea how he ended up deaf, they didn't know at the shelter I got him from that he was deaf (in fact they thought he knew his name). He ended up blind basically from a severe neglect case (a little girl stole him from the porch to save him). He's bonded with Rupert and Kahlua but they don't always hang out as Chuck only stays in his two spots. But they all get along
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Beka27 User is Offline
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10/08/2008 07:22 AM
can you tap the floor to signal something? like maybe dinnertime? he wouldn't be able to hear it, but would he feel the vibration?
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10/08/2008 08:46 AM
Wow, you are doing an awesome job!
I bet pets are even more important for him.

I know that deaf people can feel the vibrations of music. Have you tried giving him a radio or put a speaker near him to "feel"?

When I was young, we had a poodle that eventually went deaf and blind - she was 16. We use to knock on the floor to let her know we were coming over to her - she could feel it.
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10/08/2008 02:37 PM
How could someone neglect such a beautiful bunny! He's just the sweetest thing!
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10/08/2008 03:17 PM
You could try a diggie box that has an open side so he can just walk into it. It'd mean a bit of a mess but would probably be fun for him. Like others have suggested, try some music - something with a bit of bass and see what he does. I think it's phenomenal that he's learned that whisker touches means head pets.
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10/08/2008 03:40 PM
I don't have any experience with a special needs bun but your doing such a good job! I bet he's still a very happy bun despite his problems. He is just the sweetest little bunny, I wish I could meet him and give him a hug!!!!
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Kokaneeandkahlua User is Offline
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10/11/2008 12:47 AM
Thanks everyone!!

I'd never thought about using vibrations.....I've been taping on his box first before I do the whisker touch and then touch and I think It's been helping....Mrarkus, i shredded paper and made an open diggy box for him and some on the couch...he does not seem interested in paper darn it.... I'll keep thinking though!
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10/11/2008 01:05 AM

OH!! Sooooo sweet.  He's just beautiful too.

I was researching tips and came across info about blind deaf cats, and picked some things out of there that would work for bunnies.   

You can also gently blow on them to get their attention.  Seems to be less startling according to article.   Also when putting food down wave your hand  across the food bowl to give him a strong whiff of food. (though it seems the food itself would be strong enough), but if you don't want to startle him with a treat or bowl right under his chin, then that's where I guess the gentle flow of air from your hand over the food will help him look for food before he's startled.

Source:http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources/articles/cats/034-02.htm

 

KK - please keep us updated on what you learn about helping him as there just doesn't seem to be enough on the net, and I'll mark link this in the FORUM FAQ section for quick reference.

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10/11/2008 06:54 PM
I'm thinking that his strongest sense is smell, and he likes to dig and play. What if you got one of those toys that is kind of a rope with a chewing block and stick on it - something he can pick up in his mouth? If you could add a scent to it, like stick some really fragrant mint in the center of it, so he could find it hidden under his blankie or in the shredded diggy box, he could ferret it out, toss it around and chew on it, and then find it again with its smell. Just don't put it on the couch so he doesn't toss it off and fall going after it.

You can signal things coming, like 3 knocks on the floor just before he gets picked up, so he expects it. Maybe chew a piece of peppermint gum and blow it on him so he knows something fun is coming, like a toy.
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jerseygirl User is Offline
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10/12/2008 03:23 AM
Yes, putting something fragrant in the diggy box may help lure him to it. Dried herbs, willow etc. Gives him a purpose for digging and he can ferret out the goodies. Other buns probably just see the box and it's contents as a barrier they NEED to get thru where as Chuck can't view it this way. Maybe he'll find in enjoyable and go to it more readily next time.

Definately as Rabbitpam said, play to his strongest senses. Smell>touch>taste.
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10/12/2008 03:28 AM

Being deaf he does have advantage of not being suddenly startled by noise as other bun do. Does this make him more relax or more anxious as he has to rely on limited senses?

I just though of something.  How would he go in the bathtub (if you have one) ?  Would he feel a bit trapped in there?  My thinking is he could suss out the parameters, enjoy the nice cool surface, and you could put things in there with different textures to explore.  Willow balls and rolled up socks that he can push around or toss.  Or would he just get bored and lie down?

Boston User is Offline
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10/12/2008 09:36 PM

I am loving this bunny and loving everyone's advice! What creative bunny-lovers we have here!

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Bob the Bunny User is Offline
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10/12/2008 09:43 PM
I love the idea of communicating to him with number of knocks what is coming... like 3 knocks for picking him up, 2 knocks for food, 1 knock for head pets... let us know if you try it and can get him to associate the feeling from the knocks with different things.
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Kokaneeandkahlua User is Offline
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10/13/2008 01:49 AM
Thanks everyone! I really like the idea of different numbers of knocks for different things, and the fragrant toy....The tub is a great idea! If I put a towel and a litter box in there, I bet he'd feel very comfortable I'll have to try that soon!

As for if he startles, that's actually how we found he was deaf, he just doesn't resond at all to noises, Dave was vaccuming when we first got him home and he slept through the whole thing. Then we started testing his hearing and the vet confirmed it. He is super calm because of it and I think although an obstacle it's also a blessing because maybe it's more calming to not be able to hear things that you can't see. He's very laid back, and sleeps like a baby. He does the most amazing flops and just looks incredible peaceful when he sleeps. He does have a nervous side but it's mostly when being picked up or moved anywhere. I really have to hold him carefully because he tries to leap out of your arms! I think he likely had a bad expereince being held. He's coming around a bit, definitely doing better being held.
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MarkBun User is Offline
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10/13/2008 08:58 AM
Put some basil or other aromatic herbs into the diggy box and mix it up in there. He should have a blast trying to dig in and find it all.
My bonding quest with Maryann - Read about a less than easy bonding with two buns - but they did bond!
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10/14/2008 02:11 AM

And it must feel strange to be picked up when you can't see your surroundings, and even hearing could help a little bit when being picked up, so it must feel incredibly disorienting, like he's falling, and since he has no idea how far he is from the ground, he probably is just trying to get somewhere stable. Maybe a bunny burrito would be more comforting when you pick him up? Something close and secure around him - hard to know what might keep him calm under those circumstances.

The diggy box sounds like that would be fun as it does really cater to smell and touch. Can't wait to hear how he reacts and we have to see pics of those flops!

Beka27 User is Offline
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10/14/2008 07:02 AM
do you pet his head before you pick him up and after you put him down. i think that might work as a signal that he's going to be moved...
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The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet since every pet’s situation is unique. Always seek advice or second opinion from your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

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