Jessica is a dwarf bunny.  She & I have never really gotten along, but DH & I have noticed lately that her aggression/agitation has increased.  She is spayed and has a bunny boyfriend (Tobey) who she bonded w/ in Jan/Feb about a yr after our loss of her other mate (Leo).  They have gotten along well, but Tobey is just over 1 yr (neutered) and can be too active and nosey w/ Jess. We estimate Jessi’s age to be about 7 yrs old, possibly more.   Lately she has reverted to her pre-speutered aggression w/ lunging, grunting, increased thumping, and running away.  I’ve noticed that she prefers to hide away in places away from Tobey (i.e the plastic igloos or her half chewed up wicker playhouse).  They used to spend more time together w/ her keeping guard as Tobey slept.  He sleeps very deeply and she sleeps w/ eyes open so we just assumed it was a protective stance, since she would nudge him if we tried to sneak in some bunny love.

DH says that he does not get the lunging and that she has actually been nicer to him.  He’s been able to pick her up and put her on his chest/lap and she stays!  She never did this before….ever.  She had a sr physical about 3 wks ago and doc says very healthy, though she is overwt and has a fatty mass.  We’ve been monitoring the fatty mass for the past year and it has not changed in size.  Vet says it’s not surgical due to location and nature of the mass (soft/goey rather than hard).  So it is really inoperable.  She has not tried to bite me but will lunge at me even during feedings or cleaning out her pen.   I can’t pet her, unless I have fruit, since she lunges and grunts.  Suggestions?