Well if I was in that same situation I would badger them into letting me have him to have him for free …and feel better from poopy butt,,,, Don’t take my advice as serious because I am very errr…I don’t want to say careless because I can care for my rabbits… but I act on instinct and want to do what is best. Obviously the store isn’t going to sell a sick animal so maybe you could work something out with them???When I worked at petco here in the states we HAd to bring them to the vet if ANY animal was sick. I don’t know, how is anya and bugz doing? do you want a 3rd? It’s very nice you are willing to help…are you looking for a trio? It sounds like that little fellow needs someone to save him and quick. If I was you, I would adopt him and do whatever I can to save him, but I am not you, and I don’t know your situation. I know it can eat away at your heart. but when we buy from a petstore we don’t solve the problem of homeless rabbits from a shelter looking for a new home. Its tough I know. But I know if I saw that I would take him home with me and try my hardest to make him well, petstore, craigslist or shelters or not.

Remember I basically got all 3 of my rabbits as random and didn’t think clearly but this is how I feel when I read this. If I saw a rabbit in need from a petstore I would do what I could to help. It just sucks to know that if you do adopt him, that just opens up a new spot for them to buy more rabbits. It’s just a vicious cycle that never stops. It’s really up to you and how you feel.

Do you know the manager and owner fairly well? Just thinking perhaps you could get the current caretaker to contact them for you. Perhaps the direction needs to come from them. Hopefully that would be to direct the caretaker to seek vet care – especially if they’re looking to maintain their good reputation. It really is the stores responsibility. I kinda think this guy needs to be seen now. That they need to do this too, not you have to carry the worry. Is he a baby?

My thought would be to report the store REGARDLESS of whether or not you get the baby. One report does not mean they will get closed down, but it may be a wake-up call to ALL involved that they need to step up and do the right thing. The manager and owner are responsible b/c they are the ones who left this other person in charge in their absence. What is going to happen next month when another new baby bunny is sick? You can’t possibly take them all and treat them all. It’s not about the money at this point, but rather about their attitudes towards all the animals in their care.

What if you suggest to them that they at least get a stool sample checked on this bunny?  If he has coccidia and has had it for awhile that can cause runny stool- and can be fatal if left untreated- and is contagious to other rabbits in the cage.  Coccidia is not treated by regular dewormer- they need a course of Albon or maybe Panacur- and the cage would need to be cleaned daily to prevent reinfection during treatment. 

I know it can be frustrating- but unless you have a good area to quarantine him if you get him- you should not get him.  It could be more than an intestinal parasite or crappy diet going on with this guy and you don’t want to endanger your other bunnies.  I know one of members here got another bunny and then was worried about either pasteurella or e. cuniculli (can’t remember which) and she was really scared that she had inadvertantly exposed her other rabbits- so she felt scared and guilty while waiting for the test results to come back- and I think she spent a lot of money treating the new bunny that she rescued from a crappy pet store.

I totally get where you are coming from- it hurts your heart to see him this way- but make sure to protect your bunnies.  I would immediately wash your clothes when you get home and even take a shower after handling him- yes, a bit extreme- but worth the extra caution.

i don’t think it matters if its a pet store or not. it is a rabbit and it needs help, i think you should try to help him as much as you can. why would it be $200 dollars for a check up at the vet my vet only cost $45 dollars for a check up. or do you think that he has other problems that would cost money?

I’m glad you kept after them. Anytime I’ve been in a store that sells animals, I have to always keep reminding myself that this is a business to them. They are not doing it b/c they love animals and want them all to be safe and cared for… they want the paycheck. I’m not saying no one there loves animals, but at the end of the day, it’s always about sales in retail.