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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.
› Forum › THE LOUNGE › Bella and I… we’re new!
Hi, my name is Aminah.. my bunny’s name is Bella. I have a small exotics rescue in my home.. mostly reptiles, some invertebrates and amphibians, and the random furry kid. I have bRats, a Cavy, a Black Bear ham, 2 Chinchilla chicas.. and now, a bunbun girly!
I went out to a local rabbit rescue this weekend, to pick up my normal Zoo Crew supplies. Usually, I have no problem leaving the little faces where I found them.. cuz I definitely have enough little faces in my home, already… but something was different about this last trip. I asked to hold “Cupcake” (the rescue name) cuz she wouldn’t make eye contact with me, initially. I mean, her fear was so intense.. *I* was feeling fearful. It was very strange. However, we made a connection as soon as I pulled her in close to me ..and I couldn’t leave her.
Her detailed story is on my profile, but here she is.. 3 days after coming HOME. She’s on meds for various things, she’s pregnant, and she’s still scared, but she likes full body massages. She’s a princess! And she’s going to be a SPOILED princess very soon!
She likes my side of the bed, it seems..
She’s trying to figure out those “funny lookin’ wabbits” ..my Chin’kids
Strikin’ a *vogue* ..after she bit me …and piddled on my bed! Stinker Lily!!
Welcome to the forum! What a nice story!!! It’s hard to believe she’s pregnant, she seems so thin. Will you keep the kits or has the Rescue agreed to take them. I’ll have to check your profile to find out more about the other furballs – but it’s nice to have you here!
Welcome to the forum, Aminah & Bella of course. Bella has very cool markings.
You’ll find a lot of other people here who have rescues or foster.
My 1st bun was a walk by fall in love sort of thing as well.
Then I adopted 1 from a rescuer, then another I personally rescued, then a private adoption.
We are all animal lovers here & would love to see pics of the rest of your crew as well.
Thank you for the welcome!
Bella is here to foster, supposedly. Yes.. that’s going to happen. Reality is, Bella is going to stay here forever.. and her babies will be adopted through the rabbit rescue, once they are ready to go. Bella will have surgery for spay.. and probably have some teeth extracted, at the same time (we didn’t want to risk her unnecessarily, so she’s only had filing, thus far… and will have everything done while she’s under, the one time).
Is Bella a rex?
She is a Rex, yep. Her coat feels broken and rough, almost.. for now.. but I think it’s improved some since she was found outside. Her ears definitely feel softer than they did on Sunday. They aren’t as “crunchy” from being eaten up with parasites (Yey.. Revolution) and terribly sunburned.
She’s ADORABLE!!! What a story! She’s sure lucky to have you-and wow-you get to experience baby bunnies too! It goes by fast so treasure EVERY day-seriously they get fur betwee2-4 days and about two weeks old look like mini bunnies and then they just grow up! You must post piccies when the little ones arrive Welome welcome!!
I thought she might be a rex because of the curly hairs & the rather sparse neck fur, although, my rex only has curls around his sparce neck fur.
Thank you, again, everyone!
Is “sparce neck fur” a common thing with Rex bunnies? I was curious about that, but thought she was just suffering from being outside on her own ..and all those darn bugs she had on her before.
Btw.. I can start another thread in a better suited area, on here… but is Oxbow (the young rabbit formula) okay for her, since she’s so thin? I give her a lot of alfalfa hay with her oat and timothy hay.. and she has a good green salad (no lettuce) everyday. Should I supplement her with any other type of food, etc.? Both Vets (mine and the rabbit rescue’s) told me to hold off giving her Critical Care or anything like that, so I’ve just been replenishing her food as she consumes it.
It is recommended for breeding and lactating Does isn’t it? I don’t recall. So you could continue her on it after she delivers also.
ETA: Yes, it is for gestating and lactating Does also. As with any diet change, just do it slowly.
Aww what a lucky bun to get rescued by you
And yes, pics will be required when the babies arrive. DAILY pics.
Welcome to BB
Welcome – she’s beautiful.
Darn – I can’t see “her story” -the profile says “about me and my bunny” – but there is nothing there.
Bugs, sunburn & pregnant – poor little thing. So glad you found her!
I can’t see her “Bunny BIO” unless I click on “Edit My Profile” ..and it is still in the stage before you submit it (in the Rich Text box). None of the other tabs.. Me and My Bunny, Friends, Groups… none of those open or do anything when I click on them, either. Maybe there’s a “troll setting” on there.. and I haven’t reached the # of posts/activity to have full access.
In the mean time, thank you all for the great welcome! Bella is getting more frisky with every single day, it seems. The meds must be working! Let’s just hope she doesn’t get too much more “frisky” with those teeth.. hahaha! She hasn’t drawn blood, but she is very defiant when she bites me.. as if she’s saying, “Hmmmph! You not mad? I should bite harder? Come’ere.. lemme bite ya again… “
Welcome and Bella is gorgeous! She is soooo pretty! I would love to have a rescue someday, one of my goals! Yes must have more pics of Bella and the babies!
I was going to say her hair looks curly. Lucky girl she found you and you found her.
IT is ok to give her alfalfa and the pellets you have cuz she is so skinny and pregnant.
I am going to go over and read your profile shortly.
So you have loads of fuzzy faces Wow.
She is so pretty! When I found my girl she was pregnant too and very much a biter. Hopefully after the babies and spay it will die down a little. Since she was abused though, don’t be surprised if she is always a little cage protective. You’re doing so good with her, I look forward to hearing more about her progress!
BTW, the rat in your avatar is adorable! Is s/he yours?
Well.. Bella is beginning to fill out around those “lumps” that I felt before, so hopefully she’s not really close to delivery. I think it would be a miracle if she’s not really pregnant, but that’s a LOT of wishful thinking, on my part. I just can’t help it. I want her to survive and thrive, ultimately. If she has kits, that will be a blessing.. but realistically, it will take a lot away from her recovery process, as well.
Anyway.. I’m prepared for whatever scenario presents. They will all be loved and taken care of, regardless. (I’m trying not to set myself up for a huge heartbreak, I guess.)
Her biting me thus far, has been when I have her out with me. I am pretty sure I brought on the bites, each time, too. When I reach out my hand to her, to sniff me.. she returns with a bite, instead. Since she hasn’t broken skin.. and she does look directly at me when I say, “Hey.. that’s not nice!” ..in a firm voice …I’m thinking she’s not doing it from fear or any type of aggro behaviour, but more so, out of curiousity ..and just a little overzealousness. Of course, I could be totally wrong. LOL ..she could be warming me up for the full throttle attack. Yikes!
Edit: Koda Bear is one of my late rescue bRat’kids. I adored that silly boy.. and vice versa! He is sorely, sorely missed.
shes precious!!! and i ditto monkeybun- we thrive on pictures
Hello and welcome from me and my 3 rabbits, including my own little Princess.
What a beautiful colour Bella is. And to answer your question, my Mini-Rex’s fur on his neck is more sparse so I wouldn’t worry about it. Not sure if this is common or not with the breed but it is for him because it’s always been like that.
WELCOME! WOW….she is beautiful.
Profile Info: As far as your profile bio goes, you might have set as “Private” or “Friends” only. We just did a profile revamp that STILL needs work, but the friends thing isn’t fully up and running – we may not even keep it if we don’t have to have it for “Groups” (that’s new too). We are still a small enough group that we are all basically “Friends”. Also, note that even if you say you allow “everyone” to see your profile, that just means all members. A person has to become a member to be able to see profiles. If you still have problems with it, please post this info down in the tech section so it can put focused on.
Pregnant Doe info: As far as information on care for feeding pregnant and nursing does, I don’t have alot of experience with that. All I know is offer unlimited pellets. Here are some helpful links (though I am sure the rescue gave you information), these might be helpful too.
* http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/surpriselitter.html
* http://www.rabbit.org/care/babies.html
* http://www.rabbit.org/care/newborn.html
* http://www.mybunny.org/info/newborn.htm
Rex Fur: It is also normal for Rexes to have thinner hair on the back of their neck. Many bunnies do already, but Rexes especially. And Rexes also have thinner hair on their feet which can make them more susceptible to sore hocks, so you want to be sure to keep her nails trimmed as that can contribute to that.
Biting Issues: If you are putting your hand out for her to sniff, do you put it below her face? IF so, this can actually be seen as a dominant move – a request to be groomed – which means you are asking her to submit. And right now, since she’s not spayed and could be pregnant, then her hormones may be telling her to be the top bunny. (especially if she’s pregnant, because pregnant does will want to be top dog so they can have the “best” and “safest” place to have their babies.) And some bunnies regardless if neutered/spayed will always see that request as a threat. If you happen to have one of those then approach her from the side so she can see you and just go to pet her head. Don’t wait for her to sniff you.
IF she bites you anyway, then it could be just her hormones going kooky. When she does bite, let out a high-pitched little squeel. That’s bunny talk for “ouch!”. Keep us updated on that situation as we may be able to help you change that behavior over time.
OH and wow, I just looked at your photo albums in your profile. Beautiful animals! A real motley crew of sorts!
My Ruby is spayed and if I move my hand too fast to her face to pet her she will growl and nip me. It doesn’t hurt but takes me by surprise. She was spayed in November so her hormones have long died down.
She doesn’t do that as much anymore. Usually only if I touch her chin or she is tired of being peted. And I suppose I move slower too. So I don’t startle her. She loves to be petted too.
When I go to pet Cotton I say pettings so he knows what is going to happen as opposed to pick you up. I also put my hand in a fist in front of his face and Ruby too. She puts her head down demanding I pet her so I do. Cotton will poke his little head out and down asking for pets so I pet him. I suppose to him that means I am submitting to his demands instead of demanding he pet me if I kept my fist down in front of his face.
Yes the hand below the face especially in a fist will look to the rabbit like you are asking to be groomed. And maybe not a good idea for you to do with your girl right now. As the bunny who does the grooming is the submissive one. The one who does the asking is the dominant one.
So when I submit right away with pets it is not looking threatening to them as it would if I was to continue to hold my fist in front of their faces
I hope I haven’t confused you with bunny speak . I meant to go into deeper detail than BB did and explain how my rabbits see things as they know me well by now. What 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 years lol
I would follow BB’s advice on this for the time being. As in don’t do this.
Once bunny gets spayed and gets to know you better the biting boxing grunting normally subsides. Welcome here Ameena glad to have you.
aww! she’s precious. and so lucky to have connected with you
Thank you for the clarification on the hand offering thing, BinkyBunny I did exactly as you mentioned, so I DID ask for that nip. LOL I won’t be doing that again. She’s very receptive to the massages I give her, after meds ..and to snuggling her face with my face… almost like she’s starved to have the attention. I’m sure, once she’s delivered and she’s confident that this is her last stop.. her home… she’ll settle down. I can’t blame her for being tired of medicine, already. Pink or not.. it’s medicine.. icky!
Thank you for the comments about my Zoo Crew, too! That’s just a fraction, actually.. I got tired of posting before I could finish.. but I will get back on it, soon enough. I didn’t get the Cavy or the bRats, my hammy whammy girl, the lizards, frogs, axolotl, chickens.. they don’t have their pics up yet. I didn’t post all of the tarantulas either. I even have a new one.. picked her up just yesterday.
Thanks, everyone.. for the comments and advice for Bella …and the great welcome committee!
~Aminah
› Forum › THE LOUNGE › Bella and I… we’re new!