HELP!!! my rabbit won't eat and vet can get in until tomorrow

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This topic has 36sd replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 2 months ago by Gravehearted.

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- 09/04/2007 at 6:48 PM
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  I have a rabbit that I adopted a week ago last friday. We noticed that something was not right when he started to fall over when he stood up straight. I took him to the vet and they determined that he is blind. Well after talking to the original owners they said that they got him from a lady who was walking in the woods and came across a half dead, badly wounded rabbit. She took him home so he could die in peace without animals trying to eat him and suprise he lived. So that lady gave him to her nursing student and then we got him from the student
  
  So I was cleaning the cage and i noticed that he really hadn’t eaten much of the pellets that I gave him, so i filled it all the way up and kept checking every day. I was really worried that he wasn’t eating anything at all so I would let him run around in the grass and eat that. He would attack the long strands (the one that is going to seed) like he was starving. That gave him the runs. I talked to the vet and she said that I wouldn’t do that anymore and he will eat when he is hungry, he is probally just freaked out from the move. Well in the mean time I am still worried that he is not eating anything at all. I gave him some dandylions that he didn’t like, but he ate someother mystery veggie from my garden. (we get organic mulch from a farm and weird things just start growing in the dirt) So my hubby brought home some leaf lettuce and he really liked that, he would also nibble on an apple and brocolli leaves. He took a few bites of cilantro, but again today I noticed that after I changed his cage yesterday there is only a little direaha. The vet can’t get him in until the animal specialist comes back on thursday but in the mean time they told me to try and force baby food in him with a syringe. I don’t know what else to do because I am afraid he is going to die. It is so hard to force the stuff in him, I tried with his antibiotics. So please if anyone has any suggestions for food, let me know. Connor needs it!!!
- 09/04/2007 at 7:32 PM
  Gravehearted
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  welcome medinaserpa,
  
  it sure sounds like Connor has had a pretty tough life, poor lil guy. the vet who advised he would just eat when he is hungry, does not sound like a vet that sees a lot of rabbits. A rabbit’s digestive tract needs to be intaking food on a regular basis and she should have taught you about proper rabbit diet and helped you learn how to force feed him. Rabbits are considered an exotic animal, and many vets are not knowledgeable enough to give them proper care. I would highly recommend you use this list from the house rabbit society to see if there are any rabbit knowledgable vets in your area and get in ASAP. http://www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html
  
  An article that I have found very helpful for nursing a bunny through stasis, although he still needs to see a vet ASAP, it should provide you some help for tonight. http://www.mybunny.org/info/gi_stasis.htm
  
  He is not eating likely due to stress from the move or else he’s in pain . I would recommend making a slurry with his pellets , such as the one described below and force feed him that.
  
  1/2 cup of pellets, blended with one cup of water, one tablespoon of psyllium husks, and one tablespoon of acidolopholus or Prozyme. You can throw it all in a blender or food processor; keep blending until it appears shiny. (Never give your rabbit straight psyllium, as it can suck the liquid out of the rabbit’s gut and cause serious problems.)
  
  Diahrhea is caused by stress and could be from foods that are high in carbohydrates such as alfalfa pellets. They also don’t tolerate sudden diet changes very well, such as switching pellet brands. Digestive issues can also stem from new foods, so we recommend introducting new veggies one at a time in small quantities. Apples are a treat food, so should be offered in a very small quantitiy – like a small sliver. For now, I would cut out all treats.
  
  Rabbits have very sensitive tummies and the most important thing for Connor to be eating is grass hay – like timothy. If he is older than 7 months he should be fed unlimited grass hay and a limited amount of timothy based pellets. If you look through the bunny info section of the website, you’ll see a section where you can learn more about what bunnies should eat.
  
  Please keep us updated, I’m sending lots of good thoughts Connor’s way.
- 09/04/2007 at 7:44 PM
  BinkyBunny
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  WELCOME medinaserpa. I am sorry for what has brought you here. Is he still falling over? Does he seem to spin or look dizzy. I have not heard of a blind bunny falling over. I have seen many blind bunnies and they sit up just like any other. So that surprises me that she said he falls over because he’s blind. Doesn’t mean he’s not blind though. It could be just from being so weak, or from an ear infection, or it could be an illness like e.cuniculi. The fact that he is eating something is good, but it sounds like his digestive system is out of whack and anytime a bunny is making a big food change there are some digestive issues that can be minor or serious, depends on each bunny.
  
  Can your vet give you Critical Care? It’s a powder which consist of Timothy Hay, vitamins and other good stuff that helps sick bunnies. If you don’t have access to that you can mush up the pellets (adding water) to make a soupy mush to syringe feed him. Don’t force feed too much at a time. I don’t know what the size of the syringe is, but you can ask your vet for the recommended amount.
  
  Do you trust that this vet is rabbit savvy?
  
  EDIT: I just noticed Gravehearted and I posted at about the same time. You’ve also gotten some great advice from her too!!
  
  Keep us updated.
- 09/04/2007 at 7:49 PM
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  I called the original owner and left a message for her to PLEASE call me about what kind of pellets she used to feed him. I am on my way to the store now to get an assortment of veggies, he is right now eating leaves off of one of our trees. I have tried the timmothy hay and he won’t eat it, or if he does I don’t see him eat it. He is blind so I wonder if this is a factor, or if because he was once a wild rabbit. I can’t see releasing him in the wild he can’t run or hop and he is blind. (he also had his back broken when he was attacked, he just kind of pulls himself along) If I find a veggie that he will eat is it bad to feed only that to him? Will it make him sick? I read somewhere that bunnies don’t need to eat pellets at all they can survive on veggies alone, but I was not sure.
- 09/04/2007 at 8:05 PM
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  He would fall over when he would climb the walls of the rabbit run, it was like he was stretching up trying to look and fell over backwards. He also has a back injury from when he was attacked. THe first vet we went to see was a special species or something like that vet. She specalized in birds and rabbits etc. But the other vet I talked to was just an on call as they had closed 20 minutes before hand. Our vet does not come in until thursday morning either. He also has an inner ear infection and I am trying to syringe him his antibiotics with yogurt and let me tell you that is a chore. I don’t know what they did to determine he was blind. I know he was incredibally distressed when I took him in and he would only stay close to a wall, he would never venture into the room, in his cage and the rabbit run he does the same thing, he only stays in the corner. He also does this weird head move and sniff thing, it is not like my other rabbit coney, it is more like a step, head half way up, sniff, head down sniff, head all the way up and wobbly sniff, and then another step. Oh and he also tilts his head to one side when he sniffs, he never will just stand up on his back legs and sniff, like coney, he only stands when supported by something. I am on my way to the 24 hour clinic and I am going to get a syringe because the only one I had is for children and it doesn’t work to well.
- 09/04/2007 at 8:22 PM
  BinkyBunny
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  Well, I think it’s smart that you are finding what he ate before so he’s not making drastic diet changes overnight. Hopefully she will get back to you.   Even if you find it’s not the healthiest pellet, it will be best to make a gradual change to a healthier pellet over a months time by slowly increasing the ratio of the new pellet.
  
  As far as greens go, it’s true that some bunnies have a pelletless diet, but you don’t want to give him a ton of variety right now if he’s not used to . It’s best to offer a bunny that may not have had the greens before a little bit and give one kind at a time and see how his system handles it. Stay away from ones that can cause gas like broccoli. Parsley is a good one to start off with, either curly or flat (Italian).
  
  But ultimately you must know that we are not vets here so we can only give general advice according to what you have told us. I personally think that if you don’t feel that this vet is rabbit savvy enough and you don’t trust her advice, to seek out another tomorrow.   The link that Gravehearted gave regarding how to find a rabbit savvy vet is a good place to start.
  
  Also, bunnies have a wonderful sense of smell, and don’t have the best vision anyway, so finding his food, or eating should not be a problem. Rabbits’ whiskers are great in helping them "feel" their way around. You may find as he becomes more comfortable he may explore, and learn his surroundings. The thing that still concerns me is you say he "falls down".   I know he is blind, but again, being blind alone shouldn’t cause this – could it be to his sense of balance because of his broken back? When is it that he actually falls down.   I’m just worried about other illnesses that can cause him to fall down.
- 09/04/2007 at 10:49 PM
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  The original owner did call me back, she said she can’t remember what she fed her (she thought he was actually a she) but she knows it was nutri something. I called pet-co and they said they have no idea what it could be, a lot of help they are. Does anybody know any rabbit pellets that started with Nutri? I went to pet-co anyways and bought a fresh bag of Timothy hay, well what I thought was timothy hay, turns out it was allphala hay. (sp?) Well it had TIMOTHY written in large letters, and i was in a hurry to get back to him. He did take a few bites, of it. I also was reading somone elses forum topic about food problems and they were saying that their little one liked Ecosomething or other so I saw that there and bought it. It is worth a try. When I opened the bag my other bunny went crazy, he was climbing on me to get to the bag. He has never had a problem when we switched his diet.
  
  So after reading the posts I took the Brocolli and apples out of his cage. I sat with him and watched to see if he would eat, but not more than a few nibbles of the hay. So I turned off the light and I will check on him in a bit. I didn’t have a chance to get to the care center because my tire blew on my car and I couldn’t drive very far on a spare, so I will try to make one of the mixtures and use my daughters medicine syringe. It isn’t the easiest but it will have to do. And I just realized that tomorrow is only wednesday, the special animals doctor won’t be in until thursday. Why would a vet only work twice a week, I know i am not the only rabbit oner out here.
- 09/05/2007 at 12:24 AM
  Gravehearted
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  I want to commend you for putting in so much time and energy into Connor’s care. Wow he’s had such a tough life, it’s so heartbreaking 🙁
  
  Poking around on petsmart’s site, there is a brand called Nutriphase. But, I thought the owner had given the bunny to the nurse who then gave him to you? So, who knows what the nurse may have fed him in the interim? The alfalfa isn’t great for him – but if he’s eating it, then keep offering it.
  
  I’d second Binky’s recommendation of flat leaf parsley, my bunnies also really love dill, basil and chard.
  
  Sending healing thoughts Connor’s way.
- 09/05/2007 at 4:34 AM
  MooBunnay
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  Hello Medinaserpa, I’m sorry to hear your bunny is having a tough time
  
  I think the advice you’ve gotten so far about the stasis is all that I can think of as well…but I wanted to let you know that I also have a blind bunny named Grace – and she was also very nervous when i first got her, and making very small poops. I think they have a tough time adjusting because they can’t see much around them and get nervous. Try to stay consistent with where you put the hay, pellets and vegetables, and also try to keep her in a quiet area, and don’t rearrange the cage too much, even if she rearranges it a lot, it will help her to know where things are.
  
  I also wanted to say how nice it is of you to take in a poor bunny that has hard such a hard time and has special needs – once the eating issue is taken care of we can share tips on how to take care of blind bunnies
- 09/05/2007 at 8:40 AM
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  I checked Connor this morning and there was a little bit of poop and it was on the runny side again. So at 8:00 on the dot I called the vet, the secretary hadn’t even put her purse down. My vet of course is not in until tomorrow, they tried calling her at home and nothing. They are however having a staff meeting at lunch time and they think she will be in then. So I will be there as soon as they call me. The lady I talked to, I think she is like a vet assistant or something said that it is good that he did eat something so she told me to stop freaking out. I am now worried that he is not drinking either. He will not drink from the water bottle that I got him and very little if any from his old water bottle. I put a bowl of water in there and it just gets filled with shavings. I warmed up some peletts in there and stuck it right in front of him. He could definately smell it, his little nose was going crazy, but all I saw him do was try to move it away from him. Man that stuff stinks when it is warm. Ok, now to clear up the confusion, the originaly lady who found him dying was a nursing and nursing professor, she then gave him to one of her students who kept him for the school year, I then saw an add on craigslist saying please take my bunny or I will have to let him go in the woods. So I went over and got him. Well she didn’t say anything about him being blind or not hardly being able to walk. Now that I know what all is wrong with him, I think how can she let a blind rabbit who can’t even run away from predators, out in the woods to fend for himself. Well she seemed concerned yesterday when she called me back so I called her on it. She said she had not other choice, she was going back to college and her new apartment would not accept him, and no one had responded to her ad. He is just the sweetest little bun, even Coney is starting to like him.
  
  Now a question completly off topic, when connor first had direaha it was all over his stomach from laying in it. So i gave him a bath, I used shallow water with a towel in the tub and rabbit shampoo. But this was before I knew he was blind, he freaked out!!! But the worst part was he was smellier after the bath then before, it smelt bad!!! Is this a reaction to the shampoo? I have never used the actual shampoo on coney just the no rinse spray kind, so this was a first for me.
- 09/05/2007 at 10:00 AM
  MooBunnay
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  Hello – I am not sure about the rabbit shampoo…I would recommend just using a wash cloth with some warm water on it and trying to spot wash him with that. Since he’s still adjusting I would recommend only touching/washing/picking him up when it is absolutely necessary. When I have a bunny trying to adjust I really just leave them alone as much as possible in a quiet area. Obviously taking him to the vet is a time when you need to pick him up, but at this stage since he’s disabled, scared, and distressed, I would really just leave him with some fresh lettuce and pellets and water in his cage and let him be, and just check on him quietly from time to time to see what he has eaten. All of the interaction and new foods and smells may be overwhelming him, and he might do better with some quiet time to settle down. Also, try putting a little banana on the tip of the water bottle so he can locate it easily.
  
  I saw that you said he is in a cage with shavings, that might be throwing him off as well – are they pine shavings? If so, the scent could be distressing him and I’d recommend giving him a flooring like newspaper or towels that you can change or wash easily, but is not shavings. The pine shavings are not recommended for rabbits as the fumes are not good for them to inhale.
  
  Take some "relax" time for you and bunny so you can both have some quiet time, keep monitoring him as you mentioned. I am not a vet, but think that from my own experiences the fact that he is eating something is definitely a good sign that he is probably not in stasis, but frightened (though a vet would have to confirm this). Keep plenty of hay and pellets around him, but stick to lettuce, and simple leafy greens like parsley or cilantro until his tummy settles
- 09/05/2007 at 11:02 AM
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  Well they got ahold of the vet and she sent someone from the clinic to come and get him, she will be looking at him when she comes in later this afternoon, but she wanted him started on critical care, and a shot of something I am not sure what it was called. They were also going to rerun some blood work because she said his last lab showed that they think he is hypoglysimic, I didn’t know rabbits could be but my cat is diabetic so why not. And this poor bun has had everything else wrong with him. I will find out more this afternoon about what is going on. You guys are so great, every one thinks i am crazy spending so much on vet bills for a rabbit that I haven’t even had for two weeks but they don’t understand, there are dog people and cat people out there I am just a rabbit person. I am so glad this lady in the pets chat room on craigslist suggested you guys.
- 09/05/2007 at 11:15 AM
  Gravehearted
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  ooo I am so glad to hear the vet is going to be able to see him today, hopefully she will be able to help him feel better soon. I think that Connor is very lucky to have a bunny champion looking out for him. I really do believe that pets find us for a reason and he really needed you. I am looking forward to hearing an update on how he’s doing.
- 09/05/2007 at 11:19 AM
  MooBunnay
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  Hahaha, o we all understand! One of my poor lil’ girl bunnies is going to the vet on Saturday for a biopsy of a funny bump on her ear, and I’ve actually had a vet laugh at ME once because I brought in a bunny with a teeeeeeeeeeny little scrape under her eye and was like HELP!!! He explained to me how sometimes bunnies come in that have been gotten by a dog and still survive so I didn’t realllly need to bring in a bunny with a teeny little scrape (embarassingly enough the skin wasn’t even broken – it was about my second month as a bunny owner so I was quite paranoid). I’m glad your bunny will be looked at. It sounds like maybe a predator got a hold of him in the woods and he’s suffering from some lasting injuries. Poor guy
- 09/05/2007 at 4:14 PM
  skunklionshow
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  Wow! You are an awesome bunny mommy. I invested plenty of bucks into Jessica when I first got her…she was injured in our Pet therapy program and required lots of care. I agree that force feeding bunnies really sucks!
  
  When my Leo lost weight post surgery he was on critical care. I mixed it w/ banana babyfood and pureed apples. Our vet tech said she would mix it w/ yogurt for her buns. It helps put the weight back on and is a great jump start for feeding issues.
  
  I don’t have much to recommend…just keep doing what you’re doing. As the others have said falling down is never a good thing…see the posts about Butters the Bunny. Good Luck and Give us an update. Also I recommend getting a postal or food scale so you can monitor your buns weight gain.
- 09/05/2007 at 7:11 PM
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  I just connor back from the vet about two hours ago, they gave me some critical care and showed me the correct way to force feed, looks so much easier there way. I also have to inject him with some electrolites twice a day, and inject him with some pain meds. I about passed out when she gave him the shots. She said that rabbits skin is really tough but from what I was reading in other posts I thought it was really thin. I can’t do the shots, so I am bribing my sister in law to do it. I can’t even watch my kids get shots I have to leave the room. He is doing ok right now, after his shots for the day in the vets office he pooped three little tiny poops, but he still hasn’t peed all day. She said if he still hasn’t peed by tonight then I have to bring him back in tomorrow. The vet checked his tummy and she said she can’t feel anything out of the normal but we will find out when we get the results on friday.
- 09/07/2007 at 3:38 PM
  skunklionshow
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  My ex (the vet tech) used to do injections (like insulin, pain, etc) for difficult pets or people that had needle phobias. He didn’t charge much b/c he just wanted to help the clients w/ their pets. I remember one particularly hell cat named "Sweet Pea" (the irony). She was great for her owners, but when she needed her insulin she went crazy! I believe he charged $5-10 a shot, depending on location. Maybe you can ask a vet tech from your practice or check out craigslist for vet techs that pet sit & administer meds. It jus might make it easier on you and therefore less stressful on both of you.
  
  If I didn’t mention this before, get a scale (food or postage) so you can monitor his weight. Good Luck!
- 09/08/2007 at 2:56 AM
  BinkyBunny
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  I ditto what everyone else is saying. I commend you on making sure that this bunny gets the the needed care! KUDOS TO YOU!! Such a big heart, and obviously there is something wrong with the previous owner. I can’t believe she even ever considered dumping this poor rabbit back out again. I mean, if worse came to worse, why not give him to a shelter or humane society? Oh, well, *shaking head*, at least there are people like you out there to make up for it.
  
  I am so glad you finally have received good vet care. Rabbit skin is thin, however it is tougher, thicker where injections are given. The back part of the neck area also has less nerve endings and so it is not as painful for them there either. But I know what you mean, it grossed me out so much when we had to give Rucy injections. I am a super wimp, and have to fight that “woozy” feeling when I have to stick the needle in. Usually I have my husband do it.
  
  I am surprised and thrilled that someone from craigslist pet chat room recommended this website. I didn’t even know craigslist had a chatroom, i’ll have to check it out.
  
  Anyway, sounds like you have things in order and now try to relax and pat yourself on the back. And this bunny is so lucky to have you! I’m sure once s/he is feeling healthy and safe, his/her personality will start to really shine. All because of you.
- 09/08/2007 at 8:32 PM
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  Connor is eating by himself!!!! I was so happy when I went to feed him this morning and there was nice piles of poop, it is not as dark as my other rabbit’s poop, and the food bowl was not smooth, there was holes where he has been nibbling. I am so happy!! I think I dreaded his shots more than he did. And he would bleed a lot. The vet said that was okay and not to freak out. So now almost $700.00 later we have a almost healthy and happy rabbit.
  
  I am going to wait a bit before trying to bond them again, because I don’t want to add any more stress right now. He does not really play like Coney does. Coney runs through this house like a wild bun. He is so funny though. He really wears himself out and then flops down under the table. Connor on the other hand tries to find a safe corner away from everything. I think it is because being blind he feels nothing can attack him from behind and he is more secure there. Coney shreads a toilet paper roll with hay inside and conner doesn’t even sniff it. Coney jumps and spins in the air, and well connor can’t because of his back. But I am sure that he will begin to feel safe and secure here with time. I will put some pics up tomorrow of my boys. Thanks everyone for the support. Oh and the pets forum on craigslist was at the bottom under all the forum’s, not many rabbit owners in there though.
- 09/08/2007 at 8:36 PM
  Scarlet_Rose
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  That’s great news!!! What a heart you have to take him in and care for him the way that you have. He is going to be one happy bunny.
- 09/09/2007 at 4:03 PM
  MooBunnay
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  Yay! I’m so glad to hear he’s feeling better! It is really great of you to be such an excellent care taker of this bunny who has had such a hard time. I bet pretty soon he will start to come out of his shell.
- 09/09/2007 at 10:44 PM
  Gravehearted
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  I am so happy to hear Connor is eating on his own, that’s wonderful news. I’ve been thinking about him, so am so glad to hear. We used to joke that all the money we paid to the vet for our bunny Niklaus helped them put on a new wing, so I know how those vet bills can be. It may be that once he settles in and feels safe he’ll become more playful like Coney. I am sure with some more time he’ll come to know your house is a safe forever home for him. I’m looking forward to seeing some pics of your buns 🙂
- 09/13/2007 at 3:00 PM
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  All right here are pics of my boys
  
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- 09/13/2007 at 3:02 PM
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  The first is Coney glaring at me because I tried to cut his nails, the second is connor and my daughter, the third is Coney who just woke up my son by jumping on him, and the last is connor dreading the needle full of meds I was about to give him.
- 09/13/2007 at 4:39 PM
  Scarlet_Rose
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  Oh my word they are sooo cute!!!!
- 09/13/2007 at 4:44 PM
  MooBunnay
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  Hahaha, Coney glares just like my Henri does! They are so cute, and its so sweet that they are good with your children
- 09/13/2007 at 8:28 PM
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  Connor is doing great considering, My daughter LOVES animals. And Coney is known to jump on people when they are sleeping. In the pic he had just walked along the top of the couch, jumped on Lorenzo’s stomach (who was peacefully sleeping), jumped off and then jumped back on to admire his work.
- 09/14/2007 at 10:34 AM
  Scarlet_Rose
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  A bunny alarm clock how cute! Well, not if you’re his victim. LOL
- 09/14/2007 at 1:31 PM
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  Connor medical update. The vet called and I filled her in as to what has been happening. She is thrilled he is eating so good. I told her about the poop and she thinks it is because he is getting used to the fresh veggies (he didn’t have any with previous owner) She said to only introduce one a week, just like with children, so if he has a reaction with one then we can know which one. She said his poop did not sound like the night droppings, and I should bring a sample for them to test. She says with it being dark almost black she is concerned that he might have an ulcer and it is bleeding. She says this would cause occasional squishy, smelly, dark poop.
  
  Now the not so good news, his radioligy reports came back that his heart is quite a bit larger than it should be. She wants him to have an ultrasound in 6 months to see if there is any difference in size. She said with him being originaly a wild rabbit there is a good chance he has a heart disease. (sp?) She said if it is there is usually a meds they can put him on, but he would more than likely be on them for life. She is not going to start him on anything unless she is sure this is the issue. (this is why we are waiting 6 months)
  
  She is very happy about the bonding and she thinks it would be good for both buns. I told her about this sight and she said she is going to check it out. She is also trying to convert me to oxbow food and hay but she wants to wait until connor has been eating really good with no problems and do it slowly. But she said for now the ecotrition is okay as long as he is eating mostly greens and hay.
- 09/14/2007 at 4:31 PM
  Scarlet_Rose
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  Oh you’ve got a great vet! I am so sorry to hear about what is going on with your bun though. : ( But looking at the positive side, what an awesome and big-hearted bunny owner he has. You’re taking such great care of him, and is one very lucky fella and what a change for him to get used to being cared for properly too. My goodness, an ulcer? Wow. I had a wild bunny too, she was abandoned when she was very little, her name was Trixie and was an agouti. She didn’t live as long as I would have liked but refused to bond and bonded bunnies usually live longer than single ones.
  Oh my, now I’m nervous your vet is checking us out. *yikes* I really hope thay they approve and enjoy it! We do our best here and really encourage members to utilize bunny savvy vets and to have a good working relationship with them as well. Please keep us updated on Connor and I’ll keep my fingers crossed for him too. At least there is treatment now of days and rabbits aren’t always viewed as “food” or “stock” animals so there are options. : )
- 09/14/2007 at 9:38 PM
  Deleted User
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  22064 posts
  Don’t be nervous she said I was getting some great advice and was very happy when I told her that You guys reccomened the oxbow. She said the ulcers were not very common in domesticated rabbits but more so in wild ones. (I wonder if they are eating something that causes it) But she said it is manageable with meds. She is not to worried about the large heart. She said we will deal with that when we get to it.
  
  Aside from the initial issue with getting Connor seen, I am very happy with this vet. When I called with his falling over they came to my house with in 30 min to get him, because I could not get away from work. (didn’t charge me anything either) They have done this twice now and I can’t think of any other vet that would come to get a rabbit. She is very sweet, and I am going to change my cat over to their office as well. A bit more spendy than the other but oh well.
  
  You want to know something really horrible, my husband used to work at a rabbit farm when we were first married. I never really though why they would farm rabbits, but come to find out years later that it was for animal testing. Ovi only built the cages and would feed and water them but that is still really horrible. I guess we never really thought about it until we had our own rabbits. (FYI Ovi loves the buns as much as I do, he calls himself daddy)
- 09/14/2007 at 9:58 PM
  Deleted User
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  I am going to try to post a pics, because it is not working for me in another thread
- 09/14/2007 at 10:46 PM
  BinkyBunny
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  8776 posts
  The picture of your son just being woken up by the bunny – well, that’s exactly how I look in the morning! Such confusion and misery.
- 09/15/2007 at 11:12 AM
  Scarlet_Rose
  Participant
  4293 posts
  Thank you for the kind words. It really is appreciated. I am such an Oxbow fiend LOL and I have to say I tested one of their newer products, the bontanical blend hay and OMG my bunnies went at it as fiercely as the bunny blend hay Binky has in her store here!
  
  Wow, I did not know that about the ulcers, but if the same is true for bunnies as humans, it is often caused by a bacteria. Ask me, I had an ulcer that ate a hole in my stomach when I was in college so I learned a lot about them. I am so dumbfounded by your vet coming to your house! OMG she is a SAINT! Wow that really makes me wish I was near her practice. Something I have really found with bunny vets is that the really good ones are not cheap and you often (unfortunately) get what you pay for, however I feel the expense balances out with the outstanding service and expertise I get from them.
  
  What your husband did in the past may not be so commendable to us bunny lovers here but the past is past and people change and it is a wonderful story that your hubby loves bunnies now. : ) I think it is darn cute and what al ucky gal you are to have him! Take care and I am going to say it again, you have an awesome vet!
- 09/15/2007 at 9:38 PM
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  It was when we were first married and we were young and broke and had a baby on the way. There wasn’t much out there to choose from job wise. And I don’t think either of us asked what they did with the rabbits until a while later. He only worked there for a few months anyways. He is a big animal lover, although he would not admit it to your face.
- 09/16/2007 at 11:58 AM
  Scarlet_Rose
  Participant
  4293 posts
  Awe that makes it even sweeter yet. I know it’s not manly but it’s awfully cute that you can tell his “secret.” Well I certianly hope that the times of being broke are over for you and yours.
- 09/16/2007 at 9:05 PM
  Gravehearted
  Participant
  2428 posts
  what serious cuties! it sounds like your vet knows about both domestic and wild buns, which is good since it sounds like many of Connor’s health issues are due his breed. It sounds like a good idea she is monitoring the heart and I hadn’t heard about bunny tummy ulcers either 🙁
  
  I’m so pleased to hear he’s settling in so well, it sounds like he knows he’s at home now!
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