crazy bunny help

[CSoehnge]

So I recently got my 9 month old bunny neutered (2.5 weeks ago) and he has been doing great. Until yesterday when I went to go check on him and he started acting like I was going to kill him. when I came into the room he seemed startled (the door is kind of loud) so I assumed I just frightened him but I went to get his bowl to refill his pellets and love on him because that is his routine. This time he freaked out and bolted to the back of his cage and seemed as though I was going to attack him. So I gave him his pellets and then checked on him a couple of hours later and he freaked out again. I’m sad because he won’t even let me come near him when before all he wanted was love and to come out of his cage. I just don’t know what to do because nothing has changed other then him getting neutered and I know they are still hormonal but I thought he would just be grunting and humping still because of that not terrified of me. Is this normal behavior or will he never be happy with me again? Like I cant even fill his water bottle without him spasming out and breathing heavy because he thinks I am going to touch him. what happened to my baby boy??

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

That’s odd, I can imagine that it’s very upsetting. Rabbits can get extremely stressed by subtle sounds and smells we don’t even notice. Like vibrations in the floor due to roadworks, extremely high-pitched sounds from electronics, or even a new perfume which irritates their nose. From one day to the other our snuggly Breintje went crazy and started to run around and bite people at random. I was totally baffled until I heard a tiny continuous beep just at the edge of my hearing. It came from my computer which was off, but not unplugged. Appearantly the computer monitor made a very high-pitched noise which drove him crazy. As soon as I unplugged it his ears perked up, and he lay down quietly clicking his teeth contentedly.

But before we start eliminating possible stressors, are there signs that may point to a medical problem? Rabbits can have behaviour problems if they’re not feeling well. Could you check up on these?

– Is he eating, drinking, pooping and peeing like he always used to?
– Are there differences in breathing like sniffling noises?
– Does he move normally or is he having trouble somewhere?

[Deleted User]

Have you recently checked his site to make sure that nothing is going on there? Is he eating normally and all? A sudden change like this does seem strange to me if it is not resolving itself. Has anything changed recently? A new pet, new items in his cage, any new smells on you (of other animals)?

[Mikey]

I wonder if he is in pain or if something is irritating his wound site? None of my three boys acted like this at all after their neuters.

[CSoehnge]

he is still eating and drinking. I checked his incision and it looked fine. The other bunnies in the room are acting completely normal so I dont know what is going on. He is still playing and happy to see the other bunnies through the cage but hates me. nothing has been changed in the environment that he hasnt already been around for 2 months now. I just dont know what is going on.

[CSoehnge]

Im scared he is never going to let me around him again. 

[DanaNM]

That is very strange…, especially with the timing. could you have picked up an odd smell from work/school?

I second checking to make sure there isn’t a hidden sound that is stressing him out…maybe even outside. My friend told me a very sad story about a neighbor installing a rodent-deterring sound that they were not aware of… Not sure why the other rabbits wouldn’t react to it though.

The only things I can think of are a medical issue, or a hidden scary sound or smell.

. . . 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.  

[Dee]

I’m assuming you were the one that took him to the vet to be neutered- could anything have reminded him of the vet trip and made him think you’re going to take him back there? I’m not sure how sophisticated those little lagamorph brains are, but my rabbits held a grudge against me for taking them to the vet, and my bringing anything up from the basement (as I did with their carrier) would renew their horror of me all over again. Just a guess.

I’m sure he will get over this, but I would be upset too! Hope he’s back to himself soon.

[CSoehnge]

Well this is the thing too, he has always been the tempermental one. if i smell weird he backs away, the others love my dog but he avoids him. He has always been the special one of the bunch. But he has never been so scared of me he freaks out when I enter the room. he drops to the ground when I come in the room and he is out of the cage which I know he doesn’t like to be picked up but I havent picked him up at all. even when i took him to the vet he walked right into the carrier. There is a neighbor dog outside but he used to be closer to it then he is now so IDK.

[Dee]

Accidentally posted again!

[CSoehnge]

It just makes me so sad because I worked so hard with socializing him and now he wont come near me. He hides behind his house when i come in and I try to have him come near me but he appears he cant make himself more invisible!! and before he begged for attention and loved coming out of his house. I just dont know what the vet would do because everything else is normal. poops look normal. Maybe I will just give him some time but its already been three days and he still wont come near me.

[Wick & Fable]

Haven’t read through this topic thoroughly, but a rabbit will show retreating and overly anxious behavior when he or she feels discomfort or pain from something. A vet visit may not seem beneficial for a personality switch, but if this affect is coming from a medical issue, a vet needs to be consulted.

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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