Barn Bun

[2lops]

There’s a horse stable I know of that has a little lop bun, holland I think. I feel so bad for it, even though it has 3 different cages… 1st is a pet shop cage that’s filled with wood chips and includes food trough and a water bottle. 2nd is a small hutch outside by the barn that has some old hay, food bowl, water bottle and a corner litter box. 3rd is a medium pen on grass that had a old water bottle and a little hide away. The pen is kind of pointless because all the bunny does is sit hunched up in a corner looking like it wants to die. I held this bunny around.. October and it nails were all messed and curled, and the poor thing wouldn’t stop shaking like a leaf. I didn’t hold it this time but it was obvious it eyes didn’t look too good. Probably from all the dust and stench from the tack room. Anyways this is just kind of.. venting i guess because my friend once told me that the owner would not give that bunny up. I wish I could atleast take it the vet, clean it up and rehome it (I don’t have enough [$] and space to take care of 4 bunnies..). Anyways what breaks my heart is how miserable the bun looks. I have a feeling rabbit info won’t help because a) the owner runs a stable and may not be too keen on being told how to take care of her animals and b) It’s not really my place to say anything..   Maybe I’m overreacting???.. I’ll add some pics I took of the bunny later..

[wendyzski]

poor thing – it looks like it’s given up.  *cries*

[jerseygirl]

If you were allowed to hold it, could you offer to do it’s nails for the owner? A small thing I know………..but something.

[RabbitPam]

What is going on with that fur there? If it’s a cut or sore, I’m wondering if you can tell the owner that this bunny needs attention, and you would hate to have it be removed due to neglect. It would not do the stable’s reputation much good to have a poorly cared for animal on the premises. You can then offer to take it to the vet for them if they’d like.

If it really is neglect, then Animal Rescue could step in and remove the bunny to a shelter. If you know of a no-kill shelter you would recommend, you could try to get it sent there. What a sweet little bunny.

[2lops]

The 2nd pic is a close up of the eye. I think that the eyes are so runny/goopy because of the dust/dirt in the tack room might be irritating them. That’s probably why the bunny only squints. Don’t get me wrong I think the owner does care about the bunny (they actually built the hutch and the pen..) I just think… it doesn’t get enough attention or care. I’ve only been to the stable twice now because my friend owns a horse there and I went to watch her ride. I think the easiest way to get the bunny out of there will be offering to buy it. The bunny does get cheap pellets and back in October I saw honey + seed stick treats (the kind you can get in walmart or the grocery store) so I’m not sure if If I’d be able to call on them for neglect… also someone does move the bun from cage to cage. I’ll try to go to the stable more often and see if I could clip the nails.

[LittlePuffyTail]

That poor little bun. He looks so depressed.

I can relate to this 100%. I don’t know if you had read any of my posts about Henri, the little bun that lived at the stable where I board my horse. I did a lot of venting as I was the only one who really took care of and loved this bunny. Someone left his cage open a few months ago and I assume he met an unfortunate fate and I ended up with a broken heart. Now there are two baby buns there and it’s the whole thing all over again.

Please do all you can for this little bun, whatever that may be. No bunny should look sad like that. I’m a very passive person but when it comes to situations like this, you have to be aggressive, for the sake of the bun.

[2lops]

I’m so sorry Henri was never found, I posted on the Henri thread a while back. Ugh that’s so sad, poor lil’ guy. ):
I’ll do the best I can. I’ll get my friend to ask about the possibility of selling the bunny.

Allergies“Rabbits can get watery eyes from being allergic to the dust on hay and dry food. Wood shaving should not be used for litter because they put off volatile odors and bits of wood can get into bunny’s eyes; shredded paper or dust-free cat litter are better….. “
Bacterial infection“ Bunny’s runny eyes need to be diagnosed by a veterinarian because bacterial infection is one of the most potentially dangerous causes. For rabbits with eye discharge, Dr. David W. Penney, at Irving Street Veterinary Hospital in San Francisco, usually “assumes the worst” and treats for infection by prescribing the antibiotic Baytril for 7-10 days to start. “If it is infection [such bacteria as Pasteurella, Bordetella, or Staphylococcus],2,3 you don’t want to take any chances because it can quickly spread to the jaw or the respiratory tract.” To be most effective, treatment needs to begin immediately.“

^ ^ I read this off the HouseRabbitSociety site.

I think this may be why Thumper has such watery eyes. The tack room is dusty from the arena dirt and Thumper’s cage is filled with wood chips. It could always be something else that’s causing this.. but through the options I read about Allergies and Bacterial infection sound most likely.

There was a little pink spot under Thumper’s chin….

idk if this could mean anything. I couldn’t get a clear pic of it..

[jerseygirl]

It doesn’t look too good. If a wound, it’s possible it could get infected. Also could be mites, or self mutilation. They can sometimes pull their own fur if in pain from something else. Also could be a mis-sexed female experiencing false pregnancy.
If you can approach about nail trim, you’ll get a chance to check it over more thoroughly. If it were me, I would let them know I have number of bunnies myself and try interact with more any chance I get! Hope you or someone can check things out!

[Deleted User]

I was hoping Henri had turned up. How sad, and they got new rabbits to repeat the episode? Why why why. What’s the point.
That poor lop bun looking so depressed… I wonder why every stable seems to have to have one.

[MimzMum]

Posted By 2lops on 07/04/2009 05:18 PM

 It’s not really my place to say anything..   Maybe I’m overreacting???..

 

If not you…then who?

A rabbit can have multiple cages, food sticks, toys and relatively clean quarters-but if it’s not getting one on one attention from it’s owner, then it IS being neglected, in my never-to-be-humble opinion.

With those eyes and that nasty spot under the chin, it is in danger of getting a life threatening infection. The nails alone could probably do that kind of damage to it’s neck, eyes or ears. Intervention is not only necessary to help this bunny, it is imperative.

Too bad if the stable owner doesn’t like it. I say, call the Humane Society. Chances are you’re going to find out maybe the horses are having trouble too, I’d wager.

Poor little bun. I’d give anything to rescue the wee thing!

 

[sibley]

Psh, call in the authorities on the person. It’s not an easy thing to do since you know them and you know they care (though maybe not in the best way), but… I mean if you had a friend with a drug problem wouldn’t you do something? It’ll hurt your relationship but it’s more important to do good. Call in the humane society or a rabbit rescue. Then keep an eye on it and if it’s not getting adopted and is running out of time, squeeze it into your brood =)

[LittlePuffyTail]

Try very bluntly telling them his life is in danger if they don’t get his eye treated.

[2lops]

I emailed my friend asking next time she goes riding to ask about selling Thumper + the rest of his pellets for whatever price the owner wants. She said she doubted that the owner would sell it but she also thinks the bunny looks lonely…I told her that Thumper should go to a vet because he could have an infection..I’m waiting for her reply, I think she may have gone riding. *crosses fingers*

[Deleted User]

The real problem is how to keep them from replacing Thumper with a new bun even if they turned him over.
–Is there maybe someone in the stable interested in taking on the task of caring for Thumper in return for riding lessons or something?

[2lops]

I’m not sure if they would bother to replace him with another rabbit because I think I recall my friend telling me Thumper was a birthday gift to the owner in the first place. I don’t know any of the riders there though Thumper does get water/pellets and is moved from cage to cage..and I doubt anyone will want to clean him up, clip his nails or take him to the vet and spend their own money on the depressed little soul..I’m not trying to sound negative or anything but no one at the stable (that I know of) really cares about a rabbit that sits in a cage all day.

[Deleted User]

I get it.
So then, be persistent in trying to relieve them of Thumper’s ownership…. just keep at it asking them.

[bunnycutie]

you should take him home and help him.he looks so hopeless. it makes me so angry when people do this to innocent rabbits, its just not right 

 

 

 

[LittlePuffyTail]

Were you interested in buying Thumper if they sell?

[2lops]

I just want to get Thumper out of there and into better care. If they decide to sell him I would definitely want to buy him (if I could convince parents) and clean him up, get him to the vet and put some life back in those eyes. Once Thumper is all better I’d have to re-home him as I can’t afford to take care of and neuter a 4th rabbit. ):

[katie, max & penny]

oh man! keep us updated 2lops. I hope you are able to rescue this little guy.

[Deleted User]

I looked at Thumper’s photo again. It really tears up your heart, to see a bunny depressed like this. I hope, 2lops, your looking out for him will find him the care he needs!

[PEPPA GEORGIE]

When i worked for someone once and the pets werent really cared for, they said they really loved them and i could see they needed the vet etc, me and a friend said lots of nice stuff about the pets and then told them they needed to go to the vet and would they mind if i took them as i really love pets x they let me do this so at least i felt like i had helped although i then became the resident pet sitter and had to do all the vet trips but that was ok and everyone was happy really as i knew the pets were well x Could you just ask if you could take him to the vet as you noticed the spot under his chin, if they dont have to do it they might let you and then at least you can get a vets opinion on the overall health etc and have something to go on when you get back and maybe then tell them he is depressed and maybe they will let him go home with you xx

[2lops]

My friend said that the owner said no, but I’ll try to see him soon again.

[tabalab]

Call animal control at least it will be seen by a vet and quickly adopted out

[LittlePuffyTail]

That makes me so angry!!!!! They don’t want to care for him but they don’t want to give him up…..grrrrrr so selfish. Your gonna have to be more aggressive to save that poor little soul.

[tabalab]

some states and cities if you get charged with animal neglect you cant owe any more animals. I think its like that in a few states! if his horses are in bad shape then I’d say someone would have pretty good chances. Call that tv show animal cops! HA! Really im not kidding.

[2lops]

I think that the majority of the horses at the stable are owned by individual people and are just being boarded there. So I doubt there would be any in bad shape as everyone loves there horses and drive to the stable almost every day to take care of them. Calling an animal control service would really be my last resort as I don’t want to get my friend in any trouble with the owner as riding & participating in shows is pretty much her life.

[sibley]

2lops, why don’t you tell her exactly what you told us?

That you don’t want to hurt your friendship, but that you are very concerned about the rabbit. That you’d like to help her get it healthy again, or that you’d be willing to take it and find it a home where it will do better. That you know it’s not her fault, that she cares, but that the rabbit probably just has hay allergies and really can’t be in that environment. Tell her if she doesn’t either get the rabbit treated, move it to a different environment, or let you find a new home for it you’ll have to call someone to help the rabbit. Tell her you don’t want to do that because you know she isn’t a bad person and she tries her best to care for the animals and you definitely don’t want to effect her stable or her riding but you feel obligated to help the bunny. If you need to you could write it all in a letter, then follow up with her about in about a week later.

If you do decide to take the rabbit and try to help it on your own, I think a lot of us would be willing to help out in some way or another. Social support from all =) and I know that personally I’d want to call up the vet and give him permission to charge me for a few bucks of the bun’s care. HRS would probably be very helpful as well, in one way or another.

[tabalab]

that is very awesome of you. I wish I had extra cash to spare but you can count on me for support in anyway!

[sibley]

Well I don’t… I have a job but I’m sorely underpaid. But I could give like $10, which at least wouldn’t hurt =) Better to miss out on my… well I dn’t really buy silly things like fancy coffees so let’s say… movie ticket, than have the bunny suffer.

[MarkBun]

Yanno, the bun probably would be in much better shape with a friend – but to get them to even think about bun dating…

[Karla]

…could you steal it? I know, no morales, but you are doing it for a good purpose. It breaks my heart. As I was reading through the posts, I was hoping for the post from you where you wrote that you had bought him.

Or maybe write a letter to the owner and explain everything? I would definitely help as well if you asked for some money to help the poor fellow.

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