Has Bella been spayed yet? (I looked and couldn’t find a post about it) It might calm her down a little. What about a friend for her? I know you mentioned something about looking for a bunny friend at some point. Having other rabbits around has really helped calm Nova down, as she is not nervous about every little noise. Even if they are just living next to each other this could help. Though I also understand that getting a second bun when your first is already proving to be difficult might not work for you.
I am going to assume that she has constant hay, and greens once or twice a day.
If you use one, have you checked to make sure her water bottle is working properly?

I don’t recall hearing about anyone else on the forum using Xanax personally, but I am sure the more experienced forum members will be able to better answer your question about the medicine, and its use in rabbits.

Xanax  I dont’ know.  

Rabbits can have chamomile.   People use that as a tea to help them sleep.  I have given some to Cotton and Ruby.  He was so relaxed the next day.

Ruby she is always relaxed  lol. 

OH the chamomile   I got some at a mexican store.  They had a bag of dried chamomile flowers to make tea.  I just take out a teaspoon and feed it to my buns now n then for a change in menu.    A herb store one that has the actual herbs not the bottles of pills would have some too.

Oh we use sage to settle the stomache too.   I have dried sage from a sage plant we had.  I use it for my tummy as does my husband we do that sometimes. 

These things are herbs the sage and chamomile

My buns get them on occassion too.   I just put the dried herb about a tsp full in their bowls.   Might help your girl.

Is there a reason she hasn’t been spayed yet? Spaying her may reduce her anxiety.. maybe its the urge to breed that has her going.

I thought like Kytkattin, that a friend may be beneficial but you’ve already been down that avenue… I looked quickly at some previous post – you were looking at getting her a friend and having her fixed. Has her health prevented this? I know was in a bad way before you took her into your home.
I know nothing about anti anxiety meds. I have heard Bach flower remedies like Rescue Remedy have been used.

You also mentioned previously teeth issues? Stress from this could bring on stasis. Do you mind letting us know what area you reside? Some might be able to give you recommendations of a vet.

Yes, I think spaying may help relieve some hormonal anxiety. I agree with Jersey as well about the dental issues.

I think you should do a thorough check up with blood work as well.

Well this is the HRS Bay area listings: http://www.rabbit.org/rabbit-center/resources/vets.html

In this list is Dr Carolynn Harvey. Binky Bunny sees her and I believe a few other members here. She’s apparently very good.

The thing I’m thinking is that if she gets spayed, her anxiety may go down…

I have used the Bach’s rescue remedy for Coco – and it does quite a nice job. I also use it for me too, I am a fan of the Flower Remedies..
In fact, I used the last for me a couple of nights ago to help me sleep…..

Dr. Harvey is in Haywood, is that near you? She treats the rabbits for the House Rabbit Society Headquarters and BinkyBunny does take her rabbits to Dr. Harvey as well and I believe so does MarkusBun…if I lived there I would take my rabbits to her as well….

Just to quote BB from another thread also…

BinkyBunny Forum Leader San Francisco Area Posts: 6244

10/19/2009 09:31 PM Quote Reply Alert Dr. Harvey is a great vet – she’s my main vet. She is the one that treated Bailey’s e.cuniculi symptoms (Bailey did not have head-tilt, but she had hind-leg weakness) And you are right Dr. Harvey used to work at the VCA in Oakland. VCA is great because they are open 7 days a week and open I think until late most days. If Dr. Harvey is not available, and it’s urgent. I go to VCA to see Dr. Arntz  - she is very good and I used to also see Dr. Bynam as backup, but I haven’t seen her in awhile and I don’t know if she is still there. So when you say she is going to get spayed, is she getting spayed with Dr. Harvey? I know that if they think a bunny is fighting an infection or some illness they may want to do blood work before a spay as some illnesses can make it riskier with anesthesia and vets need to be aware of what’s going on before they put the bunny under. So you may want to make sure the vet knows of any current problems going on. Source: https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aff/2/aft/107337/afv/topic/afpg/1/Default.aspx

Thanks Jersey! Yes, triple ditto Dr. Harvey at Chabot Vet Clinic in Hayward. She’s one of the very best! Her hours are more limited, but again, if you can’t get into see her then try Dr. Arntz at Bay Area VCA (off Shattuck) in Oakland.

T-touch may also be a way to help with some behaviorial issues like anxiety. If you are able to see Dr. Harvey, you should also ask her about T-Touch (she teaches this and may be able to guide you to classes around the bay area). Also check with some of the local rescues like SaveABunny and HRS in Richmond as many times they will have classes on it.

You know, I think that helping a rabbit through stasis is one of the best (and worst for obvious reasons) bonding experiences for a rabbit and owner. What could prove more to a rabbit that you aren’t going to eat her than not only not harming her in a time of weakness, but actually doing what you can to help her. I hope the new vet is helpful and you get to the bottom of this. Though time seems to be the most helpful thing on your side right now.

I just did a search for anxiety on HRS, and there was an article about petting bunnies in a way that helps with nervous or ill bunnies. I am copying the salient paragraphs:

“Some very important points exist on either side of the spine, particularly between the shoulder blades, and stroking these areas may help release anxiety, grief, and fear. Yes, it’s pretty difficult to get your fingers between the shoulder blades of a four-pound rabbit, but give it a try. Using your pinkie, gently pet the bunny several times along the upper section of the spine. All animals will have different spots to which they respond, but this is a good, general area to start. If he relaxes and starts purring after a few minutes, you have a winner!

Another area to keep in mind is the ear. All the acupressure points in the body are mimicked here, and you may already have noticed that Bunny loves to have his ears rubbed. Start at the base of the ear with your thumb on one side and your index finger on the other. Draw your fingers up to the top of the ear with long strokes that encompass its full length. Repeat these gentle pulls until you’ve covered the whole area. You’ve now given your friend a whole bunny-body-tune-up for the price of an ear rub! Many rabbits who shy away from petting will allow their ears to be stroked, so this may be a good place to build up trust.”

While I am sure you pet your bunny, this may be effective in the long run and easier than any kind of tranquilizer. I also wonder, if you’re spending that much time at home, whether you are giving your bunny enough private hours of undisturbed deep sleep? Maybe get away for longer periods which will relax you more, and possible be handled better than you think.

That’s cool Pam. Both mine respond really well to a forward shoulder roll type massage on the shoulder blades – I wonder if I’m hitting those trigger spots? Base of the ear too, they love that. Rumball has become so much less flighty when my hands approach now and I attribute it to him enjoying a massage. When you can get your hands on Sammy, you should try the articles technique. She may become addicted. I imagine it’d be easier to give this massage with your hands rather than your feet!!

Now that’s neat Pam
Yes I triple ditto seeing Dr. Harvey -I’ve never seen her but many here do see her and she’s quite the expert

I can’t remember-did you adopt this bun or have you had her since she was a baby? I’m wondering if she’s always been nervous -just disposition wise or if something happened?

I remember now about Ms. Bella! She has had a horrible start to life. She’s lucky to have you to take care of her, that’s for sure. If only they could talk! I’ve done a few animal communications in the past with some of my rabbits…I have to say though, I’m not sure of how much of that I believe. I also understand Reiki is another healing touch thing, so maybe that’s something to consider.

I have heard of Rescue Remedy being used for specific stress incidences- I would probably not use it on a daily basis as she needs to learn to cope with environment and changes- but if she has a freak out you could give her a dose- I think it a drop or 2- it is in an alcohol type base- so you might want to add a bit of sweetener to it- like a titch of apple juice.  This stuff is made for humans and considered homeopathic herbal/flower essences.  So you can try a drop on your tongue to see what it tastes like.  I would recommend asking the vet you trust about this though.

EDIT: or if she will eat during these episodes you could try to put a drop on a papaya tablet and let it soak in or a Oxbow Barley Biscuit (if sheis used to them).  Griffin one of my buns did not like his Metacam (practically unheard of) so I let it soak into a Oxbow Barley Biscuit and then of course he ate the biscuit and the meds.