Can anyone help me?

[gemma]

Hi,

I am new to this forum and am really hopeful that someone can give me some good advice as I am not convinced that my vet knows very much about this.

I have 2 rescue rabbits who live in my flat with me. I have had one of them for a few years and he arrived with a buddy. She has since died which was obviously awful. We got him bonded with another female and that all seemed to be going fine but afer about 4 months of them being happy, he is really withdrawn. He isn’t getting excited by food and just isn’t himself, he was always a real character and very interested in everything that was going on around him.

I am concerned that she is bullying him but it’s hard to tell. He is lurking behind the butch while she is running all over the place. She is not nutered but I was advised by the rescue woman that this would not be necessary as it can shorten their lives and it is very intrusive. She also said that once the pair are bonded, it may disrupt things if I mess with her. I wonder if she is getting territorial as I know female rabbits can if left unneutered.

I have tried locking him in the hutch so that she can smell that it is his territory, maybe I let him out too soon, just left him in there for a day and a night. Am also considering taking them on a drive in the same hutch so that they can rebond in an unfamiliar setting.

I hope this is enough information for an opinion. It may be that I have to get her neutered. He is neutered so there wont be any babies.

Thanks,

Gemma

 

 

 

[Deleted User]

That is balderdash, pardon my language, that spaying a female will shorten her life. The contrary is true. Intact females die of cancer of the reproductive organs with frightening frequency before the age of three. Get her spayed asap. Even spayed females may act territorially towards their bonded mate, but much less so and the behavior you are describing in your male bunny suggests that she is bullying him which female rabbits are very good at. Have him checked to make sure he is healthy and not harboring an illness that may also cause withdrawn behavior, but my guess is that getting her spayed and rebonded to him will remedy this problem.

[Elrohwen]

Totally agree with Petzy.

[LoveChaCha]

I second Petzy’s advice.

Females have a very big chance of dying of a reproductive cancer. The procedure is not too bad, but it will make your rabbit live longer and be moer calm. Leaving her unspayed leaves potentially BAD behaviors – spraying, fighting, FALSE PREGNANCIES.. (I don’t think you want to see a bunny pulling out its fur to make a nest..), etc.

[gemma]

Thank you very much. I will get him checked out while getting her booked in for the op this weekend.

[gemma]

Thank you very much. I will get him checked out while getting her booked in for the op this weekend.

[jerseygirl]

Welcome Gemma : )

If you are going ahead with a spay for her, be aware it is a little more complicated then a rabbit castration. So she will be a bit groggy after. Here’s some info in post-op care. http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/…-post-care  (it does mention giving acidophilus but that is up to you, not necessary IMO.
Be sure your vet is well experienced in rabbit spay and make sure she eats before the op. If they tell you to fast her, that’s a red flag!

How old is the male bunny?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Welcome!!

She is not nutered but I was advised by the rescue woman that this would not be necessary as it can shorten their lives and it is very intrusive

WOW I did a WOW. That’s incredible…what kind of rescue would say that? I’m glad your going for the operation-it’s definitely what is best

I am concerned that she is bullying him but it’s hard to tell. He is lurking behind the butch while she is running all over the place.

It’s hard to tell from what you say-but it sounds like he may just be more of a lounger then her. I’d say if you saw a *real* change in him-for instance he used to run around, but now if he does, she chases him-then yes I’d say it’s bullying. But sounds like he may just be relaxing. You know him best though and if you think he’s getting bullied-well the spay will be the place to start for that. But closer observation for sure to get a better idea of what is going on.

[RabbitPam]

Welcome from me, too, and I second K&K’s WOW, and am upset that a rescue is giving out Wrong information. Boy, you just may have saved her life! Thank you for listening to the members above and making her appointment.

My gut reaction is that he is possibly not feeling well, and his behavior shows that. Bunnies hide illness, so he may need some care. You are having him checked by the vet, so again . You sound like a great bunny mom. Hopefully he is fine, mellow, and a bit shy of Herself the Bully, and all will be better after her surgery. Her hormones can take up to a month post-surgery to settle, so don’t be discouraged if the situation takes a few weeks for them to settle down.

[gemma]

Thanks for the advice. Don’t really know how old either of them are as they are rescues. Think he’s between 4 and 5.

[jerseygirl]

It’s good he’s going in for a check up too. I know my vet always checks teeth at every visit, hopefully yours does too. That might give a clue as to why he’s not as keen on his food. Also, he is heading into being a senior so things arthritis may effect his his mobility and mood.

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