Aggression after dental work...

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 5sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 12 months ago by Sarita.

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- 04/09/2013 at 10:48 AM
  boogercj
  Participant
  129 posts
  Ariel & Miranda have been strongly bonded for a while now, but Miranda sometimes chases when there’s food being dished out. it’s something we and Ariel have come to accept, and it never results in fighting; they’re always grooming each other and snuggling together normally.
  
  Over the weekend, they both went to the vets for some burring on their molars (due to spurs); the first 2 days back they were fine with each other, probably because they were doped up. Yesterday and today though, Miranda is chasing a lot and they don’t seem to be spending as much time snuggling together.
  
  My fear is that their bond has been weakened, even though they haven’t been separated, or that Miranda is still in pain and is taking it out on Ariel. She could just be stroppy from the upheaval of the last few days and will calm down eventually. Thing is, I don’t want it causing Ariel too much stress, as she’s had a tougher time with her teeth and gut motility slowing down.
  
  I could give Miranda a dose of Metacam, but I don’t want to medicate her for the sake of it, as it can cause stomach ulcers. She doesn’t seem to be in pain, other than she’s acting out a bit. Then, they do hide it well.The vet said to give her metacam if it looks like she’s in pain.
  
  What do you guys reckon? Time for a mini-bonding session? Let it subside? Or give her a dose of metacam to see if that does the trick?
- 04/09/2013 at 11:52 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Personally, I would give metacam. The risk of ulcer with it is more for if they’re on it long term isnt it?
  
  If you see her improve in behaviour, then it could tell you it was from her discomfort. This is good to know about her.
  
  As they’ve been bonded a good while now this little upheaval should settle once they’re both fully recovered I’d expect.
  
  My bonded Mother-Daughter pair acted a bit like this after the were both spayed at the same time. They were still in the same room together but sat away from each other. They were a tad grumpy when they did interact. By the 3rd day they were both feeling much better and acted as normal again.
- 04/09/2013 at 12:43 PM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17030 posts
  I agree with jerseygirl about the metacam. If the vet has prescribed pain-meds and your bun is in pain. Stomach ulcer is a risk and there are other side-effects which aren’t nice at all, but most of them are in connection with long-term use. Some animals (and people) have to be on NSAID (the type of medicine metacam belongs to) for years and years. Short term use is much safer. Animals in pain can act out in many unpleasant ways f ex aggression and destructive behaviour. (So can people of course, but people can most often tell you their bad temper comes from pain and they can understand it themselves, a rabbit can’t do either.)
- 04/09/2013 at 3:07 PM
  boogercj
  Participant
  129 posts
  Cheers guys. We’ve given her a dose of Metacam. For Miranda, her advice was give her it if she shows signs of pain, whereas Ariel needs it every day, regardless, for a week. She seems a much more relaxed; still chasing a little bit but not as much as this morning. Both buns seems quite happy this evening, so we’ll see how it goes. I even caught a bit of mutual grooming, so that’s a good sign.
  
  Just this second they’ve started begging for treats as well; I think that’s a sign they’re getting well again!
- 04/09/2013 at 3:40 PM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17030 posts
  Those are very good signs! Best get-well wishes for them!
- 04/09/2013 at 8:57 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  There are side effects to every medication and while it of course can cause stomach ulcers as an any NSAID it doesn’t mean it will and reducing pain is key at this point.
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