Meet our new friend Rex

[Rex's Mama]

Hi everyone!  I am Deborah and I am the mother of 2 boys age 7 and 4 and we just adopted a 9 week old Holland Lop/English Spot mix named Rex.  He has been to the vet, and other than having coccidia (being treated – but no symptoms) he is a healthy little guy.  I have never owned a bunny before so this is my first foray into bunnydom.  He is not altered – yet, but that is the plan (although the vet says I should wait until there are behavior changes).  I am curious to hear what people think about that vet’s recommendations.  He is not a free range bunny (after peeing on and trying to eat my new rug), but I did make him a really nice pen that he can run around in and we are building him a beautiful bunny enclosure complete with a roof deck.  Once I got him a second litter box he seems to be doing really well with litter training.  The boys are helping take great care of him and the 4 year old is so sweet and gentle that the bunny comes right up to him and lets my son pet him.  (They are never with the bunny unattended and they have to be sitting on the floor with the bunny)  Often the boys lie on the floor and the bunny enjoys scampering all over them!  I am happy I found this forum and look forward to all the support and information that I know I will be in need of . 

 

Thanks! 

Deborah and Rex!

[Hazel]

Welcome!

Did they vet mean to wait for behavioral changes because that’s usually the time they hit puberty and are ready to be neutered, or did he mean you don’t have to neuter at all if he behaves well? Generally we recommend to always spay/neuter. With females it’s 100% necessary because they will most likely get cancer if not spayed (how sure are you that he’s a male? Young babies like this are very difficult to sex correctly, even for a vet.) Males don’t have those health concerns, but neutering helps a lot with potty training and undesirable behaviors. Even if he doesn’t give you trouble, it’s still a good idea to neuter. Males are slaves to their urge to procreate, taking that away will enable him to relax and enjoy life and your company without stressing and feeling “unfulfilled”

You’re doing a great job teaching your boys how to interact with the bun! You’re already doing exactly what would be recommended.

The chewing and peeing is normal for a baby. Once he’s neutered litter training should go a lot better.

He’s a cutie! Where did you get him?

[Rex's Mama]

We were able to see his “boy parts” so it seems pretty likely that he is a boy. The vet said to wait and see if undesirable behavior pops up with puberty because he says bunnies can be sensitive with anesthesia. He said that he has done a lot of bunny spays/and neuters but he has lost one due to the delicate nature of the animal.

We did get him from a pet store, I was planning to adopt from the shelter, but I fell in love with him. I had a friend who has bunnies check him out. I figured that all bunnies need a home and I was rescuing him from pet store life. It is a good store with a good reputation and she was very concerned when I told her about the coccidia. I will probably get him altered at 4-5 months anyway, as he is a good bunny and I would like to keep the positive relationship we are building with him.

Thanks for your reply

[Hazel]

Sounds like this vet might not be very bunny savvy and doubts his own skills. Sadly a lot of vets call themselves exotic vets but really don’t know much about rabbits and their care. There is always a risk with anesthesia, but if the vet knows what he’s doing then rabbits aren’t more at risk than any other animal. Maybe you should look around and for a different exotics vet in your area.

Here is a list of vets provided by the house rabbit society: http://rabbit.org/vet-listings/

On the same page is a link with questions you can ask them to see if they know enough about rabbits.

[Rex's Mama]

ok, I will try that, thanks!

[Author]

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