Bunnies Fighting After Returning from Vet

[Rora]

My Doe (2 yrs) recently came home from the vet after having gi stasis. she’s currently on the mend, however her and her buck brother (4yrs) have started fighting. They are a bonded pair and have never had a fight until now. They were even at the vet together to keep the Doe calm while she was being treated.

This is such a suprise for me as they have absolutely adored each other until now. They still cuddle, groom, flop, and eat together but now they just break out into random fights.

Both are spayed and neutered

Any advice would be appriciated, thanks.

[LBJ10]

Sometimes the stress from being at the vet can trigger fights. And sometimes the “weird vet smell” that lingers on the bunny being treated can trigger fights as well. You boy was there, but he wasn’t being handled by the vets, having meds put in him, etc.

Situations like this can sometimes resolve on their own. If they continue to have problems, then you may need to temporarily separate them. After some time has passed, then you can see how they react being together again in a neutral area.

[DanaNM]

Yes these things happen sometimes unfortunately, but often they resolve pretty easily. If the fighting hasn’t been too bad (bickering vs. true fighting), then you can try working with them in a neutral space and let them resolve things. If things have escalated to a true fight, then I would separate and work to re-bond them as though they were never bonded. Often they re-bond fairly easily as long as the fighting has been bad to the point of injuries.

. . . 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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