Not yet bonded bunny vet visits

[BeanMode]

It’s coming around the time of year for my bun’s annual vet check up, between last year and now we’ve adopted our second and started going through the bonding process but we’re not there yet. (Quick summary of bonding so far, male/female pair- everyone is altered, did a month of prebonding and are continuing to swap items/cages, they live side by side in their own pens happily mirror and laying side by side. During dates we have one-way grooming, lots of neutral interactions/exploring, but still some lingering tension from time to time that is being worked through.)

They have their visits scheduled at the same time, so both will be going to the vet- would it be advised to travel with them in the same carrier? My SO will be coming with us so someone could watch the buns during the trip that’s not an issue. But, we haven’t done stress bonding with them because 1) it really hasn’t been necessary thus far but more importantly 2) one of the buns has gotten stressed from the normal dates alone (small poops from time to time, had some early GI stasis signs that fortunately didn’t get worse).
We have to take the car ride anyways, that’s unavoidable- I’m just not sure if it’d be more stressful to be with his not quite bonded friend yet or if that might help him. He has not ever had issues with car rides in the past being stressful- he’s handled 2 hour long trips easily.

[DanaNM]

I think that could work great, as long as you have someone to drive and someone to keep an eye on them, and a separate carrier in case you need to separate them. Since they are getting on OK so far, I bet they will do fine, and will probably get comfort from each other (which is the whole idea with stressing).

And with less guilt than regular stressing since they have to go anyway! lol

. . . 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.  

[BeanMode]

The less guilt is really what’s really selling me on trying it lol

[Nutmeg]

BeanMode – this was LITERALLY Just me last week! Penny got a nail caught in the carpet and wasn’t putting weight on her foot – and they both needed their nails cut anyways (obviously) I was nervous to do stress bonding – and unlike your bunny my Penny HATES car rides – full on freaks out, pants, drools… so I wasn’t sure if Rupert would be a comfort in the same carrier with her (instead of his own) or would cause her more stress.

SO I decided to do exactly what DanaNM suggested. I put them both in the same one, had it on my lap while my hubby drove and stuck the spare in the back just in case.

Penny STILL hated the car ride, but Rupert snuggled right up to her and even gave her a few grooms on the head and licked at her drool (eww lol) They actually flopped together and took a nap for the FIRST time after that.
It does help that they both had to go anyways and no fighting broke out at all.

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