I need some thoughts/opinions on this . . .

[Sarah]

Hello friends!  So a week ago today my household lost our amazing bunny Rupert and we would like to get another bunny at some point in the near future when Rupert tells our hearts the time is right.  I would like some thoughts from you guys on what to do just because of the situation surrounding Rupert’s death .  For a little background- we live in VT and there isn’t a huge bunny market here as far as places that breed and/or adoption options from shelters so we got Rupert from a local pet store that sells bunnies from the owner’s rabbits’ litter as well as bunnies from other individuals where their bunny has had a litter and they are unable to care for them (Rupert was from the owner’s rabbits).  Rupert was only 1 when he died and had developed a very rare form of cancer (only seen in elderly dogs) and then ultimately died from either a liver lobe or intestinal torsion both of which the vet said are fairly rare on the list of things that it could have been (it’s possible this was due to cancer mets and the weight of the tumor caused the torsion).  My vet and I both believe that at the heart of it all Rupert had some kind of significant genetic mutation and I’m trying to decide how much I think his breeding played into that.  As a nurse and someone with a degree in molecular genetics I can argue both sides of the coin that it could have been a random genetic mutation or that it could be directly related to his parents and that concerns me as far as getting another bunny from those parents.  Does anyone else have any experience with this? Any thoughts?  I’m just trying to decide if I think it is safe to get another bunny from the owner’s litter.  I don’t really know anything about Rupert’s parents and I’m not sure how honest the owner would be but I’m certainly going to ask some tough questions next time.  Thanks for the help guys!!

-Sarah

[Wick & Fable]

I don’t know where you originally got Rupert from, whether it was a breeder or someone you know, or a rescue that had a litter, but I would stay away from that main source.

If given the opportunity, I would not adopt a rabbit from the same person I got Wick from. Wick has a slew of medical abnormalities, and they all stem from having poor conditions/environment. I would be shocked of his other litter mates are healthy (no way of knowing, but they probably all have syphilis and began with a URI like him)

Now genetics can be different than environmental factors (though as you know environmental factors can trigger genetically dormant characteristics), but that being said, it can be a sign of poor breeding, if that is indeed the case for Rupert. As you mention though, it was a very rare form of cancer.

There are plenty of rabbits outside Rupert’s family who’d love a caring owner, and I think any rabbit would be grateful for your love.

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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