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[Bunbunmom89]

First time bun mom. Here is my sweetheart Bert, he was rescued in the middle of a highway, covered in mats and fleas! He is kind gentle and sweet and I got my first lick today! ( only had him for 3 days) he is getting a custom built doll house just for him this week! Any tips and tricks would be much appreciated. I also have chickens and always have antibiotics/ medicine on hand, would anyone recommend medicine to have on hand for bert for emergencies? Thanks so much!

[Wick & Fable]

Welcome, and hello Bert! Welcome to BinkyBunny! He looks so wonderful in the hands of a caring owner — even has a cupcake, haha.

For rabbits, we don’t really recommend having medications on hand since dosing and treatment recommendations are most safe guided by a veterinarian’s assessment of a rabbit. There are even some OTC medications for dogs and cats that are toxic for rabbits, like Frontline. For some ideas on what could be good in a first-aid kit, see here: https://binkybunny.com/forums/topic/show-us-your-first-aid-kit/

Please read our RABBIT INFO section for good overviews of recommended diet and housing. For additional information, I recommend new owners review the following: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/New_Rabbit_Owner_Primer

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.

[Bam]

Hi and very welcome to the BB forums!

Bert is adorable! Thank you for rescuing him! He’s a lucky little guy!

As for a bunny first aid kit,  simethicone baby gas drops are probably the most useful first-intervention med. Normal wound care stuff is also great to have, as well as nail clippers and a good brush and/ or hairbuster comb for molting season. From there you can add on useful things as you go along – like a quick thermometer, hand warmers or a warm water bottle, fucidine or triple antibiotic ointment, saline eye wash, a feeding syringe etc. I have 2 bunny meds-drawers by now, but most of the stuff is for the care of old or special-needs buns. As Wick says, prescription meds are for vets to prescribe, but there’s lots of useful otc stuff that might come in handy.

Since youve already got a lick from Bert it seems like you are doing really great as a bun parent 😃

 

[DanaNM]

Omg what a cutie!! Thank you for rescuing him! Welcome Bert!

There is tons of great info here for new rabbit owners, especially about diet, housing, bunny-proofing, etc: https://binkybunny.com/house-rabbit-information/

As a rule, antibiotics should only be given when prescribed by an experienced rabbit-savvy vet, because rabbits have a pretty delicate digestive system that can be thrown off by antibiotics. Some antibiotics have to be given as an injection because of this, and others aren’t safe to use in any situation. Rabbits are much like tiny horses, because they cannot throw up and have sensitive tummies!

You also may already know this, but never use Frontline or any fipronil-containing product on rabbits, as it can cause severe toxicity.

One thing I wish I had known with my first bun, was to make sure you find a rabbit-savvy vet, and have a “new patient” appointment BEFORE you need one. Sometimes vets aren’t taking new patients or don’t have time in their schedule for a new patient visit when your bun is really sick. In general with rabbits, not eating or pooping for more than 12 hours is a medical emergency. Rabbits hide their pain really well, so by the time they aren’t eating things can be pretty bad for them.

It is great to have a first-aid kit on hand. Some things that are really useful are:

-a baby rectal thermometer (when a bun’s temp is low that can indicate severe pain and shock)

-small wide-tipped syringes (sizes 1 mL and 6 mL are my preferred sizes) for syringe feeding, giving meds, or giving fluids

-simethicone (baby gas drops, often the first thing to try if your bun seems gassy)

-Critical Care or similar recovery food

-cornstarch or kwik stop in case you cut a nail too short

Other things (like pain meds and sub-Q fluids) usually have to come from a vet. 🙂

. . . 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.  

[Bunbunmom89]

Thank you so so much!

[DanaNM]

Oh my gosh we all replied at once! LOL Sorry for the repeat info!

. . . 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.  

[ParsleyBun]

What a cutie pie bunbun! Do I spy a Lionhead? 🙂

[Bunbunmom89]

Yes!! He sure is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen❤️

[ParsleyBun]

I have 2 part lionheads!

[LBJ10]

OMG! How cute! He sure is fuzzy. Do you have more pictures of him? From the picture you posted, he looks more like a Jersey Wooly to me. What is his fur texture like?

[Author]

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