Marshmallow’s Issues

[Sonn]

This is more of a little rant than anything.

Marshmallow has became super aggressive. The only time she isn’t aggressive is if I have food or a treat in my hand. I still interact with her when she has her out of cage time but it is mostly talking to her because if I go to pet her she either boxes at me growls or latches onto the nearest piece of skin she can reach. Last night he grabbed my leg and gave it a good tear while I was walking by her.

I no longer let her and Pacey have playtime together he is absolutely terrified of her now. But amazingly a stranger or any of my friends can come by and she is sweet as can be I mean it is seriously like a 180.  I don’t know if it is hormonal or what.  I don’t know what to do about it I am not sure there is anything that can be done about it. She still allows me to pick her up to groom her and things like that so I am semi-ok with her snappiness.

BUT my main issue is living at home there are other family members who are no so ok with it. Right now I am trying to keep her and the family separated since it has been told more than once if she bites one of them I have to give her away. I DO NOT want to even consider this I get attached quickly and I know she has health issues so I don’t want to just pass her off to someone else! So for now she is confined to my living area (2 rooms and a hallway) when my family is home.

That’s my little tell of Marshmallow issues. I am confused frustrated and nervous

[bunnytowne]

Is she spayed?  I checked your profile b4 I say this and I can’t tell which is spayed / neutered.

If not spayed that is the problem.   Females can get very territorial over their space.    How old is she anyways.

If she is spayed I dont’ know.   Hope y’all can work this out.   I do  know if you screech or go ouch really loud she might realize she hurt you.  Hopefully.   If not try pushing her head down to show you are boss bunny and dont’ want to be bitten.  Hope this helps

 

[Sonn]

No she isn’t spayed due to health reasons. The only attempt to have her spayed she almost died she has a heart murmur. She isn’t territorial she doesn’t care if I go into her cage or move things around. She turns 2 on the 19th I have had her around 7 months but something just seems to have snapped in her.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Well sounds like you have to work around the issues-too bad you cannot spay

Sooo your going to have to look at when she is aggressive, how and why. And then come up with strategies to work around it. For instance if she’s aggressive when you are in her house-you’ll need to either have her out, or block her from biting you.

I’d also recommend more play time out of the cage, and more things to rip/dig/chew in the cage-to keep her busy

[jerseygirl]

Hi Sonn, I read the HRS FAQ’s on aggression again yesterday… Thought it might give you some idea where to start. http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/aggression.html
Could she be expecting food everytime when you go by and when she realises there’s none, she reacts? I also wondered if maybe it a jealousy thing – so if she perceives you are heading to one of the other animals she reacts? From things you’ve told us about her, she’s pretty clever isn’t she. I would not be surprised she’s ticking over something in that brain.

Other thoughts – molting or hormones (though she’d be just antsy all they time I would have thought).
 

[Lintini]

If my parents told me I would have to give away my pets who bit us I wouldn’t have any pets at all. Our puppy would have been kicked out months ago lol. It looks like if you have no other choice, the 2 rooms and hallway is what you have. That’s still a lot of space and she should be happy with that. Bun and I recently had a scuffle, and it could be do to her molt, and jealousy of the new rabbit; just like others have mentioned in this thread. I also completely agree to give her more things to do – diggy box, chew toys – or hide bits of carrots or lettuce around her play area so she can spend time rummaging for them. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, even paper grocery bags can turn into fun caves!

[Sonn]

Thanks for the suggestions and the link! I going to start watching to see if something sets her off.

My family is not pet friendly they tolerate them but don’t really have anything to do with them. My mom loves Pacey he is her “bunny grandchild” but she has never really like Marshmallow so it usually sets her off when Marshmallow acts up. So I have to keep Marshmallow away from them while she is in attack mode since they have no qualms giving her the boot.

Marshmallow has a ton of toys and boxes and phone books. Going to make her a dig box today. I also went and bought some really thick cardboard boxes to make her a super strong playhouse lol.

Not really worried about her being confined to the 2 rooms and hallway since together they could make a medium sized apartment.

 

ETA: thought I should just say my family has never made me give up an animal since I pay and care for them. BUT if they feel threatened by one (even a bunny) I wouldn’t put it past them.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

And you know what I was just thinking-just because she’s female does not mean she doesn’t hump. Why don’t you get her a stuffed animal friend to ‘take it out’ on

ETA: thought I should just say my family has never made me give up an animal since I pay and care for them. BUT if they feel threatened by one (even a bunny) I wouldn’t put it past them.

Scared of bunnies? I actually have seen this. My best gf has a bunny who’s in love with me, and when I’m there he attacks everyone’s feet. Ever seen a two pound rabbit corner two grown men who top out 6’1 and 6’3 high? LOL

I’d say: sit your family down and let them know this bunny is important to you and your going to do what you can behavior wise. But that if they don’t spend anytime with the bunny, it’s not helping. See if you can get them to start giving treats to Marshmallow to win her over. Things like that.

[Sonn]

She has a giant stuffed bunny she mostly pees on it LOL.

I have tried to incorporate them into their routine and get them to pet them and give them treats. My mom will every now and then come in and give them a craisin or a piece of fruit. I have talked to them until I am blue in the face but animals to them are just that animals. I can’t really explain it they don’t hate animals or my bunnies but if push comes to shove they do not have any issues at all telling me she has to go. But the main problem I have with that besides the obvious is they think they can just go out and buy me a fluffy little baby bunny to replace her and it will all be ok.

I have tried reasoning with them “What if the baby bunny grows up and has the same health and behavior issues? Going to make me get rid of that one too?” But they don’t hear me.

So far there hasn’t been a pattern in her attacks but I have only been really watching for a day lol. She doesn’t mind not having the full run of the house as long as she has boxes to rip up.

[Beka27]

When was the last time she’s had a health check-up? I wonder if she is hurting somewhere and this is causing her behavior to deteriorate? Especially if it just came on suddenly…

[Sonn]

Posted By Beka27 on 11/13/2009 12:00 PM
When was the last time she’s had a health check-up? I wonder if she is hurting somewhere and this is causing her behavior to deteriorate? Especially if it just came on suddenly…

 

I actually just had her back to the vet Monday. They couldn’t find anything wrong with her. So far there is only 1 besides my dogs person she doesn’t lunge at and that is my best friend I don’t know why and can’t explain it but when she comes over Marshmallow is as calm as calm can be.

I don’t know what is causing it or what to do about it. My youngest cousin got into her cage when I wasn’t home and almost got bit which sent my family into an uproar but I calmed them down since she didn’t bite him. So I put a lock on the door. Really hoping to have my own place soon so I don’t have to worry anytime I leave the house.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

How bout people giving treats whenever they are going to get lunged at-I know it sounds like you are rewarding the lunge behavior but if you wat a few seconds after the lunge there won’t be a connection AND she may associate people with treats and stop lunging

[Sonn]

I think I will try that if I can get people to do it. So far other than my cousin I have been doing pretty good keeping her and my family separate. I don’t really worry about her biting anyone except my mom since she has a short temper.

I have made my just in case plans though which sucks. If it comes to my family demanding she go either she will go everywhere with me so they can’t give her away behind my back or she will temporarily go to my best friend until I move out since she knows how to handle Mellow and she seems to be calm when she comes to my house.

[Sonn]

The vet thinks she has found the cause for Marshmallow’s aggression.

She started grinding her teeth last night so to the vet we went this morning. The vet did a full body check looking for injuries but couldn’t find any so she did xrays.

Marshmallow has a small herniation in one of her spinal discs. She said it is a very small herniation but enough to cause a lot of pain. There is an 80% chance it will go back into place on it’s own. But just in case it doesn’t she is on pain medication and daily “bunny massages”.

She definitely did not mind the medication and massage she got this morning I think she turned into an actual puddle of bunny goo.

[Sarita]

Oh, so glad you found that! Did you get metacam for this. Vibes for Ms. Marshmallow.

[Quantum]

Wow! I just read all of poor Marshmallow’s story. Good for you for hanging in there! I’m glad you were finally able to get a probable cause and a means to make her feel better.

[jerseygirl]

(((Marshmallow)))

[MooBunnay]

I’m glad your vet did the x-rays – hopefully that was the cause of the aggression and she will go back to normal soon! If she turned into bunny goo while you were massaging her that is a good sign. Maybe it would be a good idea to continue the bunny massages even when she is feeling better, it might help her relax and not be so territorial. Me and all the bunnies are sending healing vibes Marshmallow’s way!

[Sonn]

She is on Metacam currently. She was given a shot of buprenorphine at the vet which lasted a little over 12 hours. Poor bunny has had all kinds of bad things going on lately.

The vet showed me this morning how to do the bunny massage. She is noticeably calmer afterwards not sure if that is the medication or not though. She goes back in a week for another xray.

[Sarita]

Continued vibes to Ms. Marshmallow.

[Sonn]

It’s only been 5 days since the medication and massages but I am noticing a remarkable difference in Marshmallow. She seems 200% more calm and has not lunged growled or thumped at me in 3 or so days. The lump from the herniated disc is no longer visible but will not know for sure if it is back in place until xrays on Monday.

Pacey is no longer terrified to go near his cage walls when she is out (she would smack or bite him through the bars) she even groomed him through the bars this morning. She even gave me kisses last night after her bedtime veggies.

I am very hopeful that the reason for her aggression has been found.

My vet is also doing a early visual of her heart murmur to see if there is any evidence of it getting smaller

[Sarita]

I’m glad Ms. Marshmallow seems to be feeling better. Let us know what the vet says on Monday. I think all too often we don’t consider that behavior is related to health like you did and that is so important for rabbit owners to know.

[Quantum]

Yay!  It’s nice to hear good news.  Keep getting better, Marshmallow!   

[Sonn]

The disc is completely back in place and Marshmallow’s aggression has completely disappeared. And another awesome note her heart murmur is shrinking!! It hasn’t shrank much but even a tiny bit is a good thing

[Sarita]

Yay, so happy Ms. Marshmallow is feeling better.

[jerseygirl]

That’s great! She’s very lucky to have you too. That was really good, you identifying the problem behind her behaviour.

[Quantum]

 I’m with Jerseygirl–big cheers and hugs to you!  And the same to Marshmallow for getting better.

[Author]

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