Bunny in the cold, unsure if needs vet

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This topic has 6sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 3 months ago by LittlePuffyTail.

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- 12/27/2017 at 5:48 AM
  LilBunFriend
  Participant
  2 posts
  I have an outdoor bunny (Rorschach). Last night it was very cold and raining, this morning when I went to feed him he was shaking all over, his fur looked scruffier than usual and his ears were absolutely freezing. He’s always been a bit of a trembly rabbit, but this was more shaking than i’ve ever seen from him and he just let me pick him up and hold him (normally he’d run a mile, he loves his outdoor play!). He’s also quite elderly, 8 years so I was worried and brought him in.
  
  Had him on my lap for about ten minutes in a blanket and he perked up, since then ive kept him in with my other bunny Jasper who promptly laid on his head which is also not usual. Since then he’s been eating, pooping etc fine, acting normal and his ears are back to a more normal temperature.
  
  So unsure if i need a vet. My big worry is that I can’t keep him inside, these two cant be unsupervised as they are still in the bonding process. I don’t want to end up with a surprise snuffles on my hands in a few days because ive been negligent now.
- 12/27/2017 at 11:30 AM
  joea64
  Participant
  1423 posts
  I’d, speaking for myself, take Rorschach to a bunny-savvy vet just for safety’s sake to make sure he hasn’t taken any harm from being out in the cold and wet. If at all possible, I sincerely think that you need to find Rorschach some space indoors that’s separate from Jasper but close enough so that they can see and smell each other regularly. That’s an important part of the bonding process. In fact, given that you’re trying to bond the two, both of them need to be indoors, regardless of the weather. As far as that goes, rabbits are generally able to tolerate cold better than heat but they shouldn’t ever be kept outside in freezing/subfreezing temperatures, and certainly not when it’s raining; aside from any health issues, rabbits don’t dry off easily because of their thick fur coats. Rorschach’s advanced age is a consideration as well.
- 12/27/2017 at 11:34 AM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  Agree with the above, but he’s probably timid because he’s outside. It’s also probably why he runs when you’re trying to show affection. Have you done any bonding alone with him? Because you’ll have a much easier time bonding him with another bunny if he trusts you. Why can’t you have two separate cages inside? It seems really sad to me that one just got put outside because of bonding, especially with predators, strange noises, and inclement weather.
- 12/27/2017 at 11:34 AM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  I would bring him to the vet if it were me.
  
  Please do find a warmer, safer spot for him to be during such conditions !
- 12/27/2017 at 11:42 AM
  joea64
  Participant
  1423 posts
  Posted By BunNoob on 12/27/2017 11:34 AM
  
  I would bring him to the vet if it were me.
  
  Please do find a warmer, safer spot for him to be during such conditions !
  
  You’ll remember I was nervous about even taking Panda and Fernando out to the car in their carrier last weekend, since it was forecast to be cold and rainy. Fortunately, it wasn’t more than an occasional drizzle so I got them into my car while it was dry. It was really cold early yesterday morning when I left for home so I took them out last of all (as I always do) and made sure they were belted into the back seat and that the car’s heat was going as soon as possible.
- 12/27/2017 at 11:47 AM
  Deleted User
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  22064 posts
  Posted By joea64 on 12/27/2017 11:42 AM
  
  Posted By BunNoob on 12/27/2017 11:34 AM
  
  I would bring him to the vet if it were me.
  
  Please do find a warmer, safer spot for him to be during such conditions !
  
  You’ll remember I was nervous about even taking Panda and Fernando out to the car in their carrier last weekend, since it was forecast to be cold and rainy. Fortunately, it wasn’t more than an occasional drizzle so I got them into my car while it was dry. It was really cold early yesterday morning when I left for home so I took them out last of all (as I always do) and made sure they were belted into the back seat and that the car’s heat was going as soon as possible.
  
  Yes the cold is one thing…but cold AND wet is definitely a problem!
- 12/27/2017 at 2:57 PM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  This bunny needs a much better place to live. Can you bring him inside and set up a pen? They don’t need to be free roam to be inside. Bunnies can get pneumonia which is very serious.
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