Advice for housing a Senior Bun

[Kayleigh]

Hi there!

My bunny is 10 years old.  She was in a pen in the basement for a few years, but my parents made me move her back to her cage because she somehow forgot how to use her litter box!  I had blankies but she would pee and leave cecals all over them, and every day there would be pee on the carpet… 

Basically I’d like to know what your opinion is!  Her cage is way too tiny, even for a Netherland Dwarf… it’s the old orange living world cage, I let her out when I go home but I feel like it’s not enough! 

Thank you… please let me know if you have any advice for creating a comfortable habitat for a messy elderbun!!!

-Kayleigh

[Wick & Fable]

While I could see some rabbits needing a “reminder” litter training occasionally, I’m more inclined to believe your rabbit’s change in litter box habits and cecal production (either excess production or inability to eat them) is a health-concern.

When something is bothering Wick, his go-to symptom is peeing outside the litter box. He’s irritated or discomforted by something, so he pees wherever he is, rather than going to the litter box as usual. Your rabbit is old, so a health problem is probably a good explanation for the change in peeing habits.

In terms of short-term band-aids, can you attach an x-pen to the cage, and just leave the cage open so she has more space?

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Kayleigh]

I took her to the vet fairly recently and there is a lump near her ovaries, she’s never avoided eating until this morning… I noticed she didn’t drink any water or eat any food, so I set her free in the kitchen with her litter box and a bowl of water, along with some greens and her pellets. She would NOT stop drinking!!! I was so confused, because she’s usually so good at drinking from her bottle!!!! The vet said that as long as she keeps eating it means she’s not in pain….. I’ll keep my eyes on that bun!!! (*also note there is a cyst by her jaw, it feels like a pea under her skin… it was drained once by the vet but they don’t think it’s a problem)

That’s a good idea with the cage & pen combo!! Unfortunately her cage opens from the top, maybe I should look locally and see if there are any side-hatch cages for sale…. whenever I see her in her cage she’s always huddled up in the corner, but she comes to life as soon as I take her out!!!

Thank you for the suggestions <3 I'm really worried about my little bun!!!

[Sirius&Luna]

Drinking a lot of water combined with losing litter tray habits sounds like it could be a kidney infection. Keep an eye out to make sure she isn’t peeing over herself too (i’m sure you already are, it’s just worth being aware of!)

If her cage opens from the top, could you just take the whole top off and have a pen around it?

I would suggest puppy pads on the floor, they’ll absorb pee and are easy to dispose of and replace.

[Kayleigh]

Oou good idea!!! Also maybe it’s time for another vet checkup, what are some other signs of kidney infection?

[Sirius&Luna]

I don’t know any other signs, but those are exactly the symptoms my bun had when he had a kidney infection – drinking much more water than usual, loss of litter tray habits, and also peeing on himself, which is why I suggested watching out to make sure she isn’t peeing on her legs.

Since she is an older bun it might be worth another vet visit, especially if she continues stopping eating.

Another thought, on the original question, is a little ramp to help her get in and out of the hutch? If it’s the kind with sides that might be stopping her getting out on her own.

[Wick & Fable]

I will refute your vet and say that even if your rabbit is eating, she could still be in pain. She may eat at times she’s not in pain if it comes in bouts, but eating does not rule-out pain or discomfort. Wick still eats when he has dental issues and gas pains, so it’s not a good marker. You need to look at the whole context, which in your case includes loss of litter habits, excess water drinking, and a lump near her ovaries.

Was she spayed? I know many unspayed female rabbits develop cancer around there.

Her excessive drinking could also be a soother for any teeth irritation she has. While I do not know your rabbit’s situation dental-wise, your vet can see if her teeth is a current issue if he/she uses their otoscope to look in the mouth and if there’s excess saliva in there, it means your rabbit is producing more to lubricate and lessen the discomfort (which is also the reason why she may be drinking more water).

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

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