Bonded Mates Avoiding Each Other?

[mdith4him]

We have three rabbits, Crispin, Junie, and Lucy, who are bonded and have been for almost 10 years now.  Crispin has been through a lot this year:  had a front leg amputated to get rid of a cancerous lump and had another cancer lump on his jaw removed at the end of November.  Their bond has stayed intact through his hospital stays.

Over the last couple days, Crispin has started to lose his balance.  He can’t sit up or stand for very long.  He tilts to the side slowly and eventually falls over in a “flopped” position.  He’s still eating and alert, but we’re taking him to the vet on Tuesday (12/21).  We have a corner of their pen set up for him with rolled up towels to bolster him and make sure he doesn’t hurt himself falling over.  The girls seem to be avoiding him–they stay under their cardboard house most of the day and have only gone near him if I have placed food in his little corner.  The two of them are still eating as usual.

I’m so worried they’re avoiding him because they can sense he is ill or possibly near death.  Is that something that happens?  Or is there another reason they might be avoiding him?  Or maybe I am making something out of nothing.

[Bam]

I’m very sorry about Crispin. It’s likely that your girls sense that something is wrong with him. Sometimes rabbits even attack a sick rabbit that they have been friends with for a long time. A sick individual might draw the attention of predators, which means that it’s not good for other rabits to be near a sick individual.

It’s very sad though, but it’s about instinct, not free choice.

[LBJ10]

Yes, it’s instinctive for them to distance themselves from a sick rabbit. Not because they suddenly dislike the sick one. They do it because a sick rabbit might draw unwanted attention from predators.

[DanaNM]

I agree with Bam, they probably do sense something is wrong. It can be heartbreaking to watch but it is an instinctive response.

Hopefully Crispin improves after his vet visit. Simple thing like ear infections can cause loss of balance, as can things like EC, which can flare up when a bun is immune compromised.

. . . 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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