Possibly saved a baby bun today.

[RachelF]

Today I visited a pet store about an hour from where I live, in a very shady part of town, and it fufilled my expectations. The store was dimlit and extremely dirty, and there was one lonely rabbit in a 10 gal fishtank, sitting in a filty bed of wet cedar, with a small amount of pellets and a water crock with bedding floating on the top. I was quite put off, but I thought maybe they hadn’t gotten around to their cleaning duties for the day, and continued through the store.

As I was leaving, I asked about the price and asked to hold the little, probably 8wk old calico dwarf. Boy, was I not shocked when I picked the little guy up and his belly and bottom were coveredddddddd in loose stool =( Not only that, but he didn’t hesitate or scurry away at all when I reached for him.

I was heartbroken. I know I shouldn’t condone or support such a place buy spending money, but I bought the poor little thing. $50 for a sick little baby, that I know will probably cause me some heartache. I just couldn’t walk away from him! I took him home and wiped him down with some small animal wipes. I had to soak the wipes with extra water and cut a lot of fur, but in the end his belly and rump looked halfway clean.

For now I’m letting the little guy rest(whom I’ve named “Kit'”) and so far he is eating like normal and surprisingly his poops are solid!! It gives me hope. Ears look clean, eyes look clear, nails long but I wanted to give him a break before flipping him over again(don’t want a bunny heart attack!!).

Anything else I should look for? I am assuming I should only feed pellets and hay for a while. Can I give him medicine from the pet store, for “dry tail”?

But most of all, I just wanted to share my day.

. Honey(1st pic) and Kip(2nd pic).

http://s403.photobucket.com/albums/pp114/rachelleighfoley/?action=view&current=honey1.jpg” target=”_blank”>http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp114/rachelleighfoley/honey1.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”Photobucket”>

http://s403.photobucket.com/albums/pp114/rachelleighfoley/?action=view&current=kit1.jpg” target=”_blank”>http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp114/rachelleighfoley/kit1.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”Photobucket”>

 

 

[jerseygirl]

Hey Bunnyballet, Welcome to BB! Great to see you’ve rescued this little one!

I wasn’t able to view pics don’t know if that’s the case for everyone. Want to ask; did you happen to get pics of Kit before you cleaned him up? I would be reporting the petstore but having some pics to back up a complaint would be useful.

Hope he recovers well and look forward to hearing and seeing more of Honey&Kit!

[MimzMum]

I have to second what Michael said, you are a true bunny’s hero! Bravo!
Yes, please get the bun to a vet as soon as you can to ascertain if he is truly healthy and that there are no underlying problems. Sounds like you have everything well in hand, but I’m sure other members can give you better advice than I.
I just want to say, that was a terrific thing you did. And I hope you and Kit have wonderful times ahead!
No, the images do not work for me either. I hope you will repost them when you have time.

Welcome to BinkyBunny! Pull up a chair and stay awhile.

[MarkBun]

Here are the pics.  Is “Kip” the one you saved? 

If you have a paypal account, I would gladly send you a few bucks for your brave rescue.  No bun should be that way.  If I ever bought one from a pet store, I would tell them to PLEASE don’t get anymore buns as you have no idea how to handle them.

 

Kip

Honey

[osprey]

Hi bunnyballet, and welcome to BinkyBunny!

Congratulations on saving this this little guy.  The whole idea of a bunny being housed in an aquarium gives me the willies, I am so glad that you were able to make room in your home for him.

Since you do not know where this little guy came from, the excessive runny poops could be caused by poor diet, stress, or an intestinal parasite like Coccidia.  When you take him for his first vet appointment, I would suggest asking your vet about a fecal float test to check for intestinal parasites.  Most of these are easy to treat, but they can be very dangerous for baby bunnies.  Many of the babies that we take in at our rescue have Coccidia, it is a very common parasite in rabbits that have been exposed to the elements or spent much time outside unprotected.  It is quite contagious too, so please be sure to wash your hands after handling him, and do not allow any other bunnies to come into contact with his litter box or its contents.  Once he is treated, the parasite is gone, and then these precautions are not longer necessary.

Please keep us updated on how he is doing.

 

[Floppy]

Aww what a touching story! I know, I wouldnt be able to step away either…
Toki was in a fish tank too with a bunch of her sibblings from a guy who claimed he
didn’t know that one of his bunnies was a male not a female…but yeah a fish tank
is def. not a good home for a bunny.

[kimberleyanddarren]

aww thats such a lovely story! cant wait to hear more and see more pics! keep us posted and well done you!

[somebunny]

that’s so sweet, i’m so glad you saved the little bun. poor thing..but at least now it’s not alone.

[TARM]

Ohh, the poor little boy…I’m glad you were able to save him.

 

 

 

[Ruffles&Daisy]

What a cutie! I think that if the bunny was living in a filthy habitat and or not taken care of properly by the pet store, you should report it. I guess your local humane society could give you some information on who to contact. That pet store should not be able to sell bunnies if they don’t take care of them. Good for you for saving him. It takes a big heart to do something like that. Good luck with him!

[RachelF]

Oh, I am so happy to recieve so many responces so quickly! I just got into work today, I work at the Post Office at my college, and I took the little baby with me to show a co-worker, who is studying to be a veterinarian and knows a lot more than I.  I also brought him in to keep an eye on him– I don’t want him to be home alone incase any problems arise.I’m a worrier =)

Right now Kit is in a large mail bucket with a towel, some hay and a crock of water which he absolutely lovessss to knock over and make Mommy change every 5 minutes =] So cute. He’s much more responsive today, I even recieved a few licks on the car ride here.

I wanted to say THANK YOU for everyone’s responses!! I loved reading each and every one of them, I’m glad there are tons of people as crazy over these little bunbuns as I am!

Markusdark, thank you so very much for getting my pictures to work– I am new at this whole thing and tried my best to upload them off of photobucket– I see that there is an upload feature now.. I will try that. And more importantly, thanks for your offer to wire me some money but I would never take such a thing! I am a starving college student(HAHA!) but what’s another tiny mouth to feed?? Its well worth it anywayI really appreciate your kindness though!

Jerseygirl, I didn’t take before and after photos, I wish I would have thought of it =(

Anywho, I am going to try and find a rabbit vet in the area soon, since I just moved, I am a bit of a mess… right after work we are going cage shopping!

Here are a couple pictures– more later =]

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[RachelF]

btw– I know the computer pickture looks quite dangerous, but I was watching him around the wires! please don’t be alarmed

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Great pics and Fantastic job saving the little guy!! He’s absolutely stunning-I’ve never seen coloring like that-very beautiful!!!

Welcome to Binkybunny!!

[Ana]

He’s beautiful. Great job. He’s lucky to have you.

[RachelF]

aww thanks so much! i love the calico coloring, its so pretty. when i first saw him, i couldn’t tell what was matted poop and what was actual coloring! i was plesantly surprised at how beautiful he is.

[MarkBun]

The second pic makes him look like a bun pirate.

Oh, and I’m not worried for HIM about those wires around the computer. He won’t get a shock from mouse and keyboard cords.

[kimberleyanddarren]

lol he is gorgeous! its your computer cords im worried for hehe

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

That is seriously the cutest bunny ever. I think my head might explode.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

*SMACKS HEAD*

You know what that bunny is?? That’s a TRI COLOR DUTCH a VERY RARE coloring!!!! I’ve met people who’ve searched for years for one!!

*off to find pics to compare*

[skunklionshow]

I’m a sucker for Calicos….Cats, Bunnies, whatever.  I had a calico kitten…long story short, she was very ill and didn’t make it more than a few months.  Kip’s colorings remind me of my lil’ dumpling.  I think you have some good Karma coming your way.  Can you give us a general location so we can assist w/ bunny vet recommendations?

Best of Luck w/ the Honey Bunny and Baby Kip!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

On the tri-color dutch (Which I’m sure that’s what your new bunny is-dutch white stripe on the nose, white feets, -definitly a tri-color!! OMG you’re so lucky!!)

 

In the 1960s a tricolor Dutch rabbit was developed and thought by some to be a cross between the Harlequin rabbit breed and the Dutch rabbit. Later, a harlequin color version of the Dutch rabbit was developed, thought to be produced from the tortoiseshell Dutch

 

Because of its complicated coloration, the Tri-Colored Dutch Rabbit has never been an extremely popular breed. Those who do keep Dutch Rabbits are well rewarded with this pet’s striking appearance and sweet personality.

 

Pictures!!

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[osprey]

I think you are right K&K! I saw the pic and immediately thought “white head stripe like a dutch, with harlequin markings”. What an adorable combination!

[MarkBun]

And you’ll love the Dutch – especially if you like a very opinionated rabbit. ((Not saying others aren’t as well but so far my Maryann beats y’all!))

[RabbitPam]

He’s really beautiful! If you check the House Rabbit Society’s website, http://www.rabbit.org/ , they have a section where you can look up your location and they have rabbit savvy vets listed for your area. He does need a little checkup, but he looks great! And I love Honey’s little paws. g

[RachelF]

Okay so I live in Towson, MD right outside of Baltimore, for those that would like to help me find a vet or might know of one personally. I will definitely check the HRS website as well.

I’m thrilled, a pehaps rare little bun I have acquired! Thanks for the pictures and Info K&K =]

I tried taking some more of little Kit, but he just wouldn’t have it! He is such a little mover, and my camera on my cell is so delayed, not a good match. There are a few at the bottom. I love the ones where he is sleeping next to his litter box. I think its the first time I saw him fully relax.

Honey found a blankie that Kit had pee peed on earlier today. She was in hysterics about it, smelling it with her “serious” face for a solid 5 minutes or so, and then thumping and circling the blanket! When I went over to see what was up, she ran over to my feet, slamming her face into me I pet her and brought her over to the couch, put the blanket in the hamper, and all was right in her world again.

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[RachelF]

I thought I’d add a few pictures of Honey too. She feels a little left out And I know everyone loves to look at pictures anyway. When I try and take pictures of her, she is the exact opposite of Kit– she runs for the camera, and dominantly puts her head under it, expecting it to pet her. Silly girl.

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[osprey]

The name Honey fits her well. She is quite adorable too, I love her color.

[MimzMum]

What a precious little guy he is! ^_^ And how lucky are you, for such a rare bun indeed!

If this isn’t a match made in heaven, I don’t know what is. You are both lucky to have found each other.

And your Honey Bunny is adorable too! ^_^ She has a look in her eyes that reminds me of my Pip. >.> Looks like a VERY determined bun, that one!

once again, congratulations! And I do hope you’ll post more pics when Kit cooperates with the camera. (I feel your pain there!)

[RachelF]

aha yeah, Honey is a stubborn little girl. she really has a mind of her own.

[laylalover]

good for you! i hear stories like this and feel that there is hope for humanity after all! he is just tooo cute – it’s strange bc his face has the exact colouring as layla, but the shape is different – so its like layal lent her coat out! hee hee. anyways he is looking truly happy – u did a great thing1 if you can try to report this petstore to your local anti animal cruelty league! (you dont want to have to rescue a new bun every month do you?? he he) anyways, wow! you are great…keep us updated about your cutie

[laylalover]

and oney – not to leave he rout – is a stunner! se reminds me of the happy parts of “watership down” (if you’ve never seen it or read the book you should – but be prepared for a good cry!) you’re bunnies look really happy!

[RachelF]

Aw thanks, I love my little honeybun =]

So today I came home from work– my boyfriend Tyler had the day off– and so he spent the day with the bunnies. He told me he had them both out and he was sitting with Kit in his lap, and Honey lunged and latched on to the poor little thing and pulled out a chunk of his fur. Its not visible/noticeable, so I know it couldn’t have been THAT much fur, but still. My baby’s little duck fuzz!! oh no!

I decided from the beginning since Honey has such a dislike for other rabbits I wouldn’t force them to be friends, but at the same time, I don’t want to worry about miss queen of the house attacking the little guy for no reason!

I’m not really looking for an answer since I know there isn’t really a clear one to be found. I guess I just wanted to vent.

And I also worry that he doesn’t take the quarrel as serious as I do. I don’t want anyone hurt.

After he told me about the whole confrontation, I went over to Honey’s cage, and she seemed mad. Usually, I open the side door and she hops right out. Today she sat, staring at me as I talked to her, and didn’t step out til I started to give her some fresh hay.

Maybe I’m paranoid, but I sensed some extra attitude.

Silly wabbits..

[RachelF]

btw, Layla has a beautiful coat !

[RachelF]

precious.

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[MimzMum]

Rabbits will have their spats over territory. It can get serious. I spent months trying to bond Mimzy and Pip, only to find that it seems now they can’t stand each other. But it’s all cool, because I can take the time to exercise them separately.
It would take some time for Honey to trust Kit, and make a bond with him. It’s a very long and complicated process for some, and ridiculously easy for others.
I’d check out the Bonding forum, if you’d like to see how others here have bonded their bunnies.
As long as Kit isn’t seriously hurt, then no harm no foul…but it would be a good idea to make sure they don’t meet up with each other except under supervision for the first few times at least. And preferably on neutral turf. Also, having each bunny altered so that accidental litters do not occur is a good idea. (Wasn’t sure if you’d mentioned whether either of your bunnies were altered or not.)

And yes….SO precious! ^_^ Don’t you just love it when they look up at you as if to say, “You love me, don’t you?”

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

If they don’t end up getting along…I’ll send you my address and you can mail her to me

[RabbitPam]

MM, you’re such a romantic. They’re looking up and saying “You’re going to give me a treat right this second, aren’t you?”

bunnyballet: go and bond wisely but well. – Shakespeare’s “Taming of the New”

[RachelF]

haah! I’m guessing your referring to my little boy K&K.

I don’t think he’s going anywhere

[RachelF]

Kit hasn’t had his first official treat yet, since his stool is still not consistantly solid, but I can’t wait til he’s crazy over the crackle of the the produce bad like Honey is. It’s quite hilarious.

And got forbid there is some boring old green leaf lettuce in there…

THUMP!

(always longing for the parsley and mint)

[RabbitPam]

Nope – no, K&K meant Honey. (Said “her.”)

I’m calling dibs on Kip. (Hahaha K&K-I got him.)

[RachelF]

Ha! Little miss priss would not have me shipping her off like that.

I’d don’t think you’d want her when she arrived, thumping and grunting and flailing herself against the box.

[MooBunnay]

…”thumping and grunting and flailing herself against the box”

HAHAHA

I just started reading this post this morning, and its such a great start to my day to hear about your kindness in saving a poor lil’ baby bun! And thats pretty cool that she is such a rare coloring, I do not have a dutch myself but I have heard of their famous “rabbit-tude” and intelligence.

I love all the pics, both your buns are so adorable! Its pretty normal for a bunny to get protective of her territory, especially one like Honey, she sounds like she is the boss around there I’m trying to bond two bunnies right now, and the exact same thing happened to me, Amelia latched right onto Raymond’s back and there was no removing her!

[RachelF]

Thanks moobunnay! Even though I’m know I’m not the only one trying to no avail to bond their bunnies, sometimes I feel like it! So its nice to hear that someone feels my pain.

It breaks my heart when Honey is mean to little Kit– he always wants to run right up to her, or right up to her cage when hes free to roam, and he goes right under her belly as if he wants to nurse from her! I noticed it a lot last night, I had Honey in my lap petting her constantly to distract her, and he goes straight for her underbelly.

I really think the little boy is alot younger than the pet store let on.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Ooops I mean the boy-LOVE THAT COLOR!!!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I’d guess he’s about 8-10 weeks? He may be putting his head under for a grooming invitation…some put their head low to invite, some put their head right under the other rabbit’s body and it looks hilarious!! That may very well be what Kit’s doing Fortunately I don’t think he looks too small to be away from mom.

He *may* be too young to be away from me, so I can always look after him for you for a year or two LOL

[RachelF]

Haha, K&K, I better put a lock on his little pen!

I’m glad to know that he doesn’t look too young, and that very well may be what hes doing! Aww, I wish Honey would lick him.

Isn’t it a sign of a dominance when the rabbit lowers its chin to be licked?

And I was thinking about the little guy, and I better go get him some alfalfa hay, right?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Alfalfa’s a great idea

It’s considered a sign of dominance to request grooming, but I’m not totally sold on that. Chucks the least dominant bunny I’ve ever seen and he always puts his head down for grooming, but gets along with everyone. Soooo I think it depends on the context alot too.

[Beka27]

Posted By Kokaneeandkahlua on 08/29/2008 9:15 AM
I’d guess he’s about 8-10 weeks? He may be putting his head under for a grooming invitation…some put their head low to invite, some put their head right under the other rabbit’s body and it looks hilarious!! That may very well be what Kit’s doing Fortunately I don’t think he looks too small to be away from mom.

He *may* be too young to be away from me, so I can always look after him for you for a year or two LOL

lol!  Meadow sticks her whole head underneath Max!  the first times we saw it, Mike said “it looks like she’s…”  (well… i can’t say what he said, but if you think about it… lol!)

your bunnies are so cute!  i think it’s wonderful that you were able to save him from that bad situation.  i know it’s difficult b/c of the implications of buying from a petstore, but… at least you know he is one bunny who will not have a bad ending.  yay for you.  and welcome here!

[RachelF]

I feel like this is my own little personal blog.

But I do have more pictures, not of the baby, but of honey. I clipped her nails today and she acted SO tired and SO famished after the whole FIVE minutes of clipping her toes.

 

 

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[Beka27]

i love her coloring!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Hahaha those are great pictures-she looks like she has lots of rabbitude!!

[RachelF]

Thanks Beka! I fell in love with her coloring, a little cream puff is what she reminded me of.

So a new toy idea, I guess i should have posted this in that section of the forum, but those boxes that hold 12 cans of soda, the long fridge packs, make great tunnels, with the whole at the top and openings on either end! They aren’t very durable, but hey, a cheap toy so no worries.

Pictures of it and a few extras:

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[Kaitlyn*[ily]*]

Omq, she is simply adorable!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Your turning my stomach with the cuteness!! Seriously if you don’t want her I’ll take her LOL

[RachelF]

haha! hes a little stinker. I wet a paper towel to clean his little feetsies, and he latched onto my hand. =] don’t let the cuteness fool you. and it was so cute, I screeched when he did it, and he looked at me long and hard and gave me a huge *sigh* ..

“man these humans are strange…I think mine is retarted.”

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

So cute popping out of the pepsi box!

You have nice legs by the way! Haha. They’re in a lot of the pictures, but they look pretty!

[Beka27]

lol! i love the pop outta the pepsi cardboard!

[RachelF]

haha! thanks I have a habit of trying to create a barrier in my legs but the little guy isn’t stupid and always hops over like its nothing! i just want him to sit still for just a few seconds!  GEEEZE!  thats hard for a bun!

[RabbitPam]

for SNL fans…

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[Deleted User]

A calico bunny?!?!?! Way cool!

Just seeing this post so just wanna say, its so awesome that you saved that little guy….what a LUCKY LUCKY bun! If only we could save them all!

[Deleted User]

I am SOOO jealous her look like my kitty Calye

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[MimzMum]

OMG, Honey looks almost exactly like Pip! ‘Cept she doesn’t have the half lionhead mane sticking up weirdly from her forehead.

 

just had to caption this one, a la icanhascheezburger…

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[RachelF]

haha you guy are a trip with your picture captions!! and that kitten is a doll

So, Honey binked as she was being let out of her cage and got her leg stuck and scared herself half to death! She ran over to me and thumped, as if I did it! “Those dirty tricks humans play.”

I think the cage opening is a little too small for her now so I’m thinking of taking back the cage that I got Kit and giving her cage to him, and getting her a new bigger one.

Its a good thing I bought it so late last night and didn’t have the energy to put it together yet.

[RachelF]

Here’s a funny picture. And no, hes not trying to bite me. He’s crunching his alfalfa pellets!

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[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

hahaha, sexy!

[RachelF]

haha, he had his ears amputated i tried a leaf of romaine today…

i think hes in love! he binked and everything!

 

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[Deleted User]

lol he is TO cute

[MimzMum]

My youngest cat used to love those Pepsi and Coke boxes. He’s too big for them now, but that doesn’t stop him from trying. ^_^
Now he just gets into the multi-paper towel roll bag. I have to pluck all the towels out because he won’t leave!

Your bun gets cuter with every picture! xD Agh! I think my teeth have all fallen out from all the sweetness he gives that camera!

[Author]

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