Possible Discharge?

[Luve, Priscilla]

I adopted my bunny on Saturday. When I took him home we was sneezing like crazy but no discharge or anything. I called the rescue that I adopted him from, and was told they had taken him to the vet twice and he got a clean bill of health. She told me she thought he had allergies to the alfalfa hay.

Its been 5 days since I’ve had him now and it seems like discharge is coming from him nose. I tried wiping it with a napkin and it wont dry off. He’s not sitting still enough for me to actually see what it is. Pictures are below

I don’t mean to sound mean or anything but I didn’t expect to adopt an unhealthy bunny..I wish they would have told me before I adopted him that he had some issues. What should I do?

[Sarita]

As with any rabbit from a rescue, shelter or breeder, there is no guarantee of good health. I always advise new owners to take their rabbits into their own rabbit experienced vet for a base line check.

It’s highly likely they did take him in to the vet and at that time he did get a clean bill of health, but you should still take him in to your vet for a baseline check.

[Luve, Priscilla]

Posted By Sarita on 07/12/2012 04:42 PM

As with any rabbit from a rescue, shelter or breeder, there is no guarantee of good health. I always advise new owners to take their rabbits into their own rabbit experienced vet for a base line check.

It’s highly likely they did take him in to the vet and at that time he did get a clean bill of health, but you should still take him in to your vet for a baseline check.

I completely understand that there cant be a guarantee on health, but when I called the rescue that same day I arrived home- I was told he did have a sneezing issue. If I would have known this before adopting him, I would have waited to adopt another bunny. I feel that’s definitely information they should have discussed at the time of adoption.

[Sarita]

I totally agree with you about that! Rescues should be honest with any possible problems (behavioral or health) that they are aware of – it’s the right thing to do. I think I would ask them if you can get copies of those health records as well. When I did rescue and had my own rescue I always provided that for my adopters – they should have nothing to hide. Honesty is always the best policy for potential adopters.

[Quantum]

I’m sorry you’re having to go through this. The excitement of bringing a new bun home and starting to bond with him and now this. I hope that things work out–that’ll either they’ll give you the option of bringing him back or that your vet can find out what’s causing the problem and get him healthy soon.

I wish all rescues did what our Humane Society does (I know–many of them probably would if they had the money and resources to do so): they provide a coupon upon adoption good for a “wellness” check on your bun at a local vet’s office. Or, of course, you can pay to go to your own vet. If you do so within 5 business days of the adoption and there’s a problem, they’ll take the bun back. Only problem is that I don’t think I could take a bun back once he/she was in my hot little hands.

[BinkyBunny]

I am double dittoing both Sarita and Quantam!

I would call the rescue and let them know about the discharge. They may have medical records from a vet check that may be helpful. Also,like Quantum explained, some rescues will offer a coupon for a checkup within a certain time period. And I think that in your case, you can ask if they would be willing to pay for the first vet visit since you have to go so soon after adoption – they may even have vets to refer you to that will honor their “free checkup” as long as they have the adoption papers to prove the date you adopted. I might just be lucky as this is a practice with the rabbit rescue I adopted from — A free vet check up with a rabbit-savvy vet within 7 days I think. Can’t remember the time frame, but I do remember utilizing it even though Vivian seemed healthy

Your bunny may have had a sneezing issue due to some upper respiratory issue – but if they noticed that, I would hope they would have had a vet check the bunny out. If they did, and it wasn’t deemed serious, then maybe the new environment and the change etc, (even though it’s for the best) caused a bit of stress,which could have lowered his immune system. So he may need some antibiotics. Which means a vet visit would be necessary. So call the rescue and talk to them about it.

Keep us updated!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I agree too. Rescues work hard to adopt healthy and behaviourally sound animals to homes that match. When you go through screening and the adoption fee you kind of expect what you would with a used car that you buy from a dealership-a certified mechanically sound car=well a healthy animal ready for another chance!

Here’s the caveat. Snuffles, sniffles, pasturella=it’s all names for similar things; rabbits can have a bacterial or viral infection, that becomes acute (i.e. has symptoms) or is dormant (i.e. has no symptoms) and both will show the same on bloodwork-they can show there is something, or nothing can show!

Contact the rescue and ask about them paying your bills; it is a strain on a rescue, but any rescue worth their salt should be fine with that; they would foot those bills if you hadn’t adopted, and they don’t want a bad rap.

At the heart of this; there is something going on with the bunny you adopted, and no matter who is paying the bill, they’ll need to see a vet. This is a good opportunity for you to find a vet and establish a relationship. Also many vets will treat a newly adopted animal for free, so that may be another line worth pursuing!

[Luve, Priscilla]

Thank you to everyone who responded.

I listened to everyone’s advice and contacted the rescue. The lady I had been dealing with knew right away why I was calling. She said she would take him back and take him to the vet. She also mentioned she wanted to keep him for another 4 weeks after just in case and did apologize to me about everything. She even mentioned she shouldn’t have taken him out because he wasn’t ready. I appreciated that she was honest with me at the end.

She gave me the choice of taking him back in 4 weeks or just getting a refund. 

Since it had only been 5 days he was with me, I felt it was just better to get a refund. Unfortunately I felt that working with this rescue was just not for me. 

If anyone is curious, he was taken into the vet and she determined he had an upper respiratory infection and was put on antibiotics. He had apparently caught it from the pet store the rescue had gotten him from (that’s the rescues guess). I was told he is supposed to be on medication for 7 days. 

I’m at least glad that he is getting treated and will be better soon :]

Thanks again to everyone for your help!

[BinkyBunny]

Awe, it’s too bad that you will not be taking him in after they get him better — but I understand, and at least this happened before you got too attached. If he is the one in your avatar though, he is absolutely adorable and I am sure will find a new forever home once he’s better. It’s good to hear that the rescue stepped up though. Sometimes animals do better once they are in a loving home and so maybe that’s what they were hoping. Anyway, I am glad to know the bunny is getting the care he needs and you were able to get it settled how you felt was best for you.

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