Stinky Starsky

[Roberta]

As some of you will be aware I currently have a house guest.

I yoinked young Starsky from the pound for one of our local rescues and he is waiting to go to his foster home (which should be next week and they are just around the corner from me)

For the last month and a bit he has been living at the dog pund between a chicken and a rottweiller. Needless to say he had a mighty dose of chicken mites that have been dispatch with a dose of Revolution. (even got the little bugger that had burrowed into the flesh on his ear)

They had been feeding him rabbit muesli, a mix of corn, lupin etc. They said he loved it and picked out all the good bits and left the chaff. I did a little educating about what NOT to feed bunnies.

The first day his poops were very small, oddly shaped and dry, they are looking far better now but we are also getting some very odiferous mushy poops. I mean, they Honk!!!!!!

I did not want to change his diet suddenly but had little choice. He is now scarfing down plain pellets, fresh bok choy and starting to take interest in nice plain hay. The more I watch him the more I suspect he is only young, not more than 6-9 months as he is very hormonal and has humped my slippers, my arm and my foot as well as constantly circling and demanding attention, not to mention the love nips. This is probably why the poor sweet little man was dumped. His owners were probably too ignorant of buns to realise a simple neuter will sort most of the problem. He does use his litter tray most of the time.

This being said would I be right in assuming this is mostly hormonal ? He is off to be neutered next week before he goes to his foster home so if there is anything I should ask about whilst he is there I would love to make a list. The rescue is only new and short on funds so I might have to pay for the extras.

Being very fortunate not having experienced any major bunny health issues I would not hazard to make a guess. The worst I have had has been a grumpy bun who was fine a couple of hours after a tummy rub and some mint.

On a similar note my foster fail Pascal is a huge water drinker but he is also a very good eater and excellent with his toilet habits (but he pees like a race horse) Pascal is off to the vet for his neuter too. Same question, should I be concerned about the drinking ? He just seems to love his water.

[Sarita]

Dang, he’s cute!

I suspect it is partly hormonal and partly diet change and environmental (the pound). It probably will take awhile for the stink to subside.

[Roberta]

Thanks Sarita, That puts my mind at ease…. I have had all my buns from tiddlers so having pubescent buns straight of the mark is tricky. Pascal is so different with his “affections” he hops on top of his cage and wants to be nose bonked. None of the circling etc. He will sit there for hours if you are willing to rub your face all over his head where as Starsky is impatient and wants to hump everything.

[RabbitPam]

Starsky is so adorable! He sounds totally hormonal and normal to me. You might want to wear socks for the next week. (I got some scratches and love bits all on my ankles from Spockie. Couldn’t wear shorts around him. He loved feet!)

[jerseygirl]

Oh man he is cute! Look at that face!

[jerseygirl]

Maybe he could be tested for coccidia? Since he’s been around a chicken but also because its something he could have from before the pound too.

[Author]

Messages