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BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

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.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BEHAVIOR Sudden agression

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    • Binx86
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      144 posts Send Private Message

        Hi guys. Long time no see. Seems like every time I come to post, it’s because something has happened, and this time it’s the worst it’s ever been.

        For the past three years I have had an adorable, loving, snugly trio of buns. My two Netherland dwarf brothers Groucho and Zeppo, and my Holland lop girl Izzy. The boys are 5, Izzy is 4. It’s been peaceful. And that’s not an exaggeration. Those that remember me may remember the brief bonding period it took to get everyone living harmoniously. It was the easiest thing ever and they’ve been free roam in my apartment since.

        However, the past few days, Izzy began growing territorial. Guarding the veggie plate to the extent of laying on it. Laying next to the food dish and partly on top of it. She’s been targeting Groucho and only him. Groucho has been my little trooper and my baby. He’s suffered from upper respiratory infections his whole life, has a couple bouts of GI stasis and a case of head tilt. Through all of that Izzy has been sweet and loving towards him, cuddling and cleaning him, pampering him like a baby. He’s actually at a pretty healthy point in his life. Hasn’t been sick in months. I only say all this because I know sometimes bigger rabbits will pick on the weak and sick. She never has. And I mean, never. Even during bonding her aggression was non existent even when Zeppo pulled fur.

        I started doing some re-bonding things while keeping them mostly separated. Bath tub time for short periods a few times a day. Positive reinforcement with treats and head pets.One on one time with Izzy and Groucho, and all three together. Yesterday things seemed to be going well. There was no territorial behavior, no lunging, everything was peaceful for a while.

        Last night, when Groucho hopped past Izzy to go use the litter box, she lunged out of nowhere and latched onto his neck and would not let go. I had to pry her jaws open to get her to release. He was wheezing super bad and frantic. She immediately went into hiding. I know without even asking that she tried to kill him.

        This morning both went to the vet in separate carriers and both received a clean bill of health. Even Groucho shows no lasting symptoms of the incident. But, I’m at a loss. I don’t know what caused this. I don’t know what happened to my three happy babies that brought this on. Groucho is eating drinking, using the litterbox. He’s prairie dogging up on his back legs and is super cuddly. Izzy looks depressed like she knows that she did something wrong and knows she messed up.

        I’m blaming myself for not fully separating them but I never imagined in a thousand years that it would come to this. I’ve rebuilt Izzy’s nic cube condo, and she’s currently confined to that in the bedroom and I have a barrier separating her and the boys. I don’t want to get rid of her but at this point can I even consider repairing that bond?

        Anything anyone can help me with on this I will be forever grateful. If I can provide any information to help out just ask and I’ll answer everything I can. I just need help.


      • Azerane
        Moderator
        4688 posts Send Private Message

          I’m very sorry that this has happened. Unfortunately I really don’t know what to suggest. Without any changes to their environment, routine or health, it’s hard to know what’s going on. My first thought before I was done reading was to get Izzy checked out by a vet, but you’ve already done that so I’m afraid I’m at a loss. Wishing you the best though.


        • Binx86
          Participant
          144 posts Send Private Message

            Thank you for at least replying Azerane. I know it’s super tough, I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around it. Logically speaking there’s no reason it should have happened. Everyone I’ve asked, including the vet who has been seeing the trio ever since I brought Izzy home, is at a loss.


          • Love4Bunny
            Participant
            878 posts Send Private Message

              How’s Zeppo doing in all of this? Can you get a read on him with all the commotion?


            • Binx86
              Participant
              144 posts Send Private Message

                Zeppo has been just kind of neutral. There’s been no real obvious behavior changes, still cuddles Groucho, was grooming Izzy before the separation. And he’s always been healthy.


              • Love4Bunny
                Participant
                878 posts Send Private Message

                  It must be stressful navigating this new and unwelcome development. If they’re all healthy… and it’s not environmental, I wonder if it’s a behavioural thing, as in someone has upset the hierarchial apple cart. Do spayed does even experience nesting-type aggression? Maybe that’s why Izzy is so newly possessive over food and such, but I know bugger all about trio’s/ unspayed females, and am only hypothesising from a duo perspective.


                • jerseygirl
                  Moderator
                  22338 posts Send Private Message

                    I has been a while!

                    Sorry to hear about the current troubles.
                    The only thing I come up with at this point is maybe get her molars checked under sedation? I only suggest it because teeth issues can be so common, and her guarding the food bowl…
                    Though that seems more territorial/hormone like behaviour.

                    Anyway, while she is separated should give you a good chance to observe her eating habits. That can be tricky to do when it’s 3 chowing down on the food.


                  • Binx86
                    Participant
                    144 posts Send Private Message

                      Hello Jersey!

                      And yes.. Super stressful and crazy. =/

                      All the buns have been spayed/neutered. The boys were done a couple weeks after I got them five years ago, and Izzy was done before I even started trying to bond them into a trio. That makes me think it’s not hormonal. I’m unsure if spayed does go through nesting behavior fits or not. I guess that’s kinda why I came back here again.

                      I can call the vet again to see about making an appointment for her teeth to have them checked out, but I’m doubtful there as well. Her eating habits haven’t changed. She’s eating her pellets, all of her veggies, and lots of hay (i add it in the litter boxes so she’s munching constantly) and still drinking. The boys haven’t changed either. Groucho is even chowing down like crazy so that’s I guess a real good sign that his throat wasn’t damaged. But this also brings up another point, Izzy’s poops are fine and normal size, no sign of irregularities.

                      The oddest of all things I guess though, Izzy is actually letting me snuggle her. She’s confined to my bedroom for exercise time and often hops up on my bed. Never before until now has she let me lay down beside her and actually cuddle her. I’m guessing this is just because of the separation though.

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                  Forum BEHAVIOR Sudden agression