Bonding , Loss of Mate, Medicine Problems

[dude.the.rabbit]

We added Sandy to our house last year and bonded her with Dude our bunny we had owned already for 2 years. Sandy never really warmed up to us the way Dude did. She always stayed close to him and viewed us as outsiders even though Dude would always come to us and play. Well, Dude passed on Thursday in the middle of Sandy being treated for urine scald. She really is hating us right now because of all the butt baths and antibiotics, plus missing Dude. She is still eating and drinking well and we are giving her small banana and apple treats, but she is hiding right now ( all day) in her cardboard house, just watching us. She looks depressed. We tried playing with her with a stuffed bunny that looks like a real dutch bunny, but she boxed it in the face. Last night when we tried to pick her up for med treatment, she was growling at us, boxing us, trying to get away, and generally hating us. This is not going well What can I do to help her?

[Mocha]

I’m sorry for your loss.

I would go to your local house rabbit society (or another rabbit shelter) and look for a new bunny friend for Sandy. A lot of the time, shelters have “bunny dates”, where you bring your bunny and find a match for them.
If you can’t have another rabbit, cats and rabbits generally get along.
No offence, but your bunny wants to see another furry not you. That would be best for her to be happy.

[JackRabbit]

She’s been through alot, poor girl. Maybe try spending some time with her just being there. Just lay on the floor, read a book, play on a laptop, talk softly to her every once in a while, etc., just like bonding with a new bunny who has just settled in. Might take many days doing this, but eventually she’ll see that you’re not going to wash her butt, etc. every time you’re around. Literally, just be there and let her take the lead and control the interaction.

[Author]

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