New Bunny Mommy !

[Mr.Pickles]

Hey guys,

I will be receiving my first bunny of almost 3 years (male, not neutered) in 2 days from a lady who was looking to re-home her rabbit. I have been reading up a lot about taking care of bunnies and I was wondering whether anyone has any tips or tricks or pointers they have about when they got their first bunny? 

This bunny, like I said is almost 3 years old, and he is NOT neutered, however, the previous owner said that she had no problem with him spraying and she didn’t have a problem with him chewing or biting furniture, she also said he was perfectly litterbox trained and as for health, in the 3 years she’s had him, she never had to take him to the vet.  Although I hope that he’s actually as well behaved as she says he is, I’m worried his behaviour might change after being rehomed because I know it is stressful for bunnies.. I’m worried he’ll start spraying after the rehome and I don’t want him to die of stress! 

If he does start spraying, should I get him neutered? Is he considered too old?

I’m really nervous but excited at the same time! I’m hoping he won’t die after she leaves him to me…..

[mijOok]

Since he hasn’t been neutered and fortunately hasn’t had to be brought to the vet, you can schedule just a wellness/check-up visit with a vet just to make sure everything’s good with him. From there it can also help you determine if neutering would be an option by the vet’s opinion should he start displaying any behavioral issues caused by being not neutered. I also used my first vet visit when I got my bun to see how rabbit-savvy my closest vet was and had the vet show me how to check my bun and trim his nails. Having a rabbit-savvy (exotics) vet is really important as “regular” vets may not handle your bunny properly and prescribe medications that are not safe for bunnies even though safe for other animals like dogs and cats.

[Kbana]

Of all the things I’ve read, I have not heard of a bunny dying simply of being stressed after being re-homed. Yes, it is a stressful process but I would think that they would need to have an underlying health issue for that kind of stress to cause death (given that they don’t encounter a predator or something).
When you bring him home, make him as comfortable as possible with an appropriate habitat. Have you checked out rabbit.org for information on care? What kind of habitat do you have planned for him? Because the bun has never been seen by a vet, I would strongly suggest finding a rabbit savvy vet and get him in for a wellness check asap. You can then talk to your vet about concerns you have and get info on neutering him. 3 years isn’t too old but it isn’t super young either and bunnies generally do better with surgery the younger they are so your vet can better guide you in making an informed decision. There are many buns who, unfortunately, have been through horrific beginning months/years of life and have been just fine once they have a proper home/caregiver/bunny slave. Try not to worry too much and again, get into your vet asap. It will help you feel better (believe me, from one worrier to another) when you talk to your vet and feel they are someone who can guide you/work with you in order to care for your bun. Rabbit.org also has a recommended vet list which is how I found my vet. Have fun! I am a first time bunny owner too and LOVE mine. Best decision I ever made.

[Mr.Pickles]

Thanks guys for your reply!

I do have a rabbit-savvy vet closer to me (thank God!) and they told me neutering would cost $369 but the procedure they use is using lasers instead of the standard sculpt procedure because the laser procedure helps encourage a faster healing process after.

As for living habitat, I have a playpen for him and a cage as well for him to sleep in a night (including his litterbox, water and food of course), and as well as a little bed for him (I live in an apartment so I don’t have the room for bunny condos or to set a side a room just for him, and I don’t want him living in a hutch) The previous owner has trained him to be mostly free range in her previous home, so I’m hoping if he is as well behaved as she says he is, I can let him out of the play pen and have him hop around freely for as long as I can see him. I also plan on getting cord covers just in case cause I don’t want smoked bunny

Has anyone had any real difficulties or health problems with their bunny of 3+ years? (He’s a dwarf bunny by the way)

[Elrohwen]

Congrats on your new bun. Can’t wait to see pictures.

Definitely take him to the vet when you first get him to make sure he’s healthy and you can discuss neutering. 3 years is definitely not too old.

His behavior will probably be pretty similar in your house, though he may be more skittish at first, or interested in chewing on things that are new to him as he settles in.

If he hasn’t sprayed yet, it’s very unlikely he will do it in your house. Spraying is much more common when unfixed males are in the presence of other bunnies, so as a single bun he’ll probably be fine.

3 years is quite young, so I’m sure he’ll have a long healthy life with you! Make sure the vet checks his teeth well, because dwarf buns do have a tendency towards teeth issues. I got my girl at 3 years old and she did need to have her teeth clipped down, but in the 3+ years since she hasn’t had any other issues with it and it hasn’t been a chronic problem.

And I’m sure he won’t die when she leaves him with you. Bunnies are sturdier creatures than you think. It’s extremely rare to die of stress, and that happens if a rabbit is being attack by a predator or something – not just from moving to a new home. Even the most scared and nervous buns are able to come out of their shell in a new place.

[Kbana]

Sounds like you are well prepared and that you will give him a great home!! Congrats!

[AnnaW]

Good for you for adopting a non baby bunny! As for health problems in dwarves, my bunny was 8 years old when he died and was a dwarf x, he was the healthiest, toughest little guy! Only problem was old age really, and eventual malloclusion from being so old probably
So no worries about that, but a vet checkup would probs be good x

[Mr.Pickles]

Thank-you for all your encouragement guys! It really makes me feel more at ease

I’m thinking about getting him to do a vet check up probably a month or two after getting him that way he is settled in and more comfortable with me before I have to haul him around to the vet. What do you guys think? or should I take him as soon as possible?

[Beka27]

I would actually take him for a vet visit sooner rather than later. Maybe after a week or two?

[mijOok]

I agree with Beka27. Also it wouldn’t hurt to just call and schedule the appointment now. I don’t know how flexible your schedule is and the availability of the rabbit-savvy vet in your area, but when I had called to make Simba’s first appointment that I wanted on a weekend 2 weeks from the time I brought him home, the vet wasn’t available on a weekend until a month later.

[rayray]

Congrats! I just got my 1st bun about 2 months ago. I’m beyond in love now. haha! Mine was almost 2yrs old when I got him. He is also not fixed. I’ve had no problems with straying. Some chewing but nothing excessive or that couldn’t be stop with a squirt gun. Don’t feel too discouraged if it takes him a while to warm up to you. Ziggy was pretty friendly when I got him, but now he’s all over me! He loves climbing on me and the couch. The best is when you get a binky.
I really wish he would sit still more for pets or cuddles. I’m not sure if he’s just not that kinda bun or if fixing him would help that. Hmmm… I would also suggest contacting your local Humane Society. If cost is an issue for neutering, they make have a subsidized plan available.

[Elrohwen]

Yes, I would take him to the vet as soon as possible. Both of mine (plus my pup) went within a week of coming home.

[Mr.Pickles]

Thanks for the suggestions guys

I think I’ll let Pickles settle in first so I’ll take him in a week or two after he arrives and as for the humane society subsidized plan .. the one here in Kingston, Ontario is only applicable to dogs and cats I believe.. they don’t have any other adoptable animals except dogs and cats and all the other animals including rabbits get sent to the Kingston Animal Rescue and as far as I know, they don’t have a subsidized plan for spaying or neutering :/

[Author]

Messages