Questions on Caring for a Senior Bun

[luvbunz]

Back story is a few years back I had a friend who got a pet bunny for her children. After a couple months the bunny (Scooby they named him) became too much and she no longer wanted him. I took him in thinking I could find him a home, even paying for him to be neutered but with no luck and no time for a pet bunny (at the time) I winded up finding a bunny rescue and turning him in.

Not long after that I had inquired about him and found out that he had been adopted out to a nice family, the end.

Well a couple days ago I was online when I came across Scooby’s picture. Here his family could no longer keep him so they returned him back to the rescue as is required on contract when adopting. I could not believe it having thought of him on occasion over the years. I contacted the shelter long story short and will be bringing Scooby home, soon to be six years old to live out the remainder of his life.

My question I have to anyone who may know, have had the experience is, what should I expect with a senior bun? What could I do/get to make his new home more comfortable? I have read online some things but I want to really here from someone who is actually experiencing it or has in the past, a first hand account verses general knowledge.

Now I do have Benji, a three year old, non neutured male. I will not be housing them together. They will not be in the same room together. As of now I will not be getting Benji neutered either as I have had no problems with him about that and considering again the boys will not be housed together. Depending on after the fact I may then do so if needed.

Benji is in my living room and Scooby will be in my bedroom as I am guessing he will like a more peaceful space with less traffic so he can rest. Since my place is one level, I would like to be able to in the future use the baby gate between bedroom and hall and in doing so this would mean the boys would be able to see each other.

I do realize that if the did see each other through gate that Benji may then start peeing and or marking his space in which then I would have him fixed.

Any stories or advice would be appreciated.

I have attached a photo of Scooby above, the most current they had.

this one above is of my Benji, they are both Holland Lops

[Sarita]

I have 3 seniors (between 9 & 10 years old) and really it’s not different as far as housing or maintaining and keeping comfortable as any other rabbit.

I have my seniors housed in the same room to keep each other company – they were all 3 at one time bonded to another mate who has since passed on.

The only difference may be that you want to get some baseline bloodwork done and really have the vet check his teeth – older rabbits and Holland Lops in particular are a higher propensity for dental problems like molar spurs. Obviously there are other medical things that a senior rabbit may have needs for but that just varies from rabbit to rabbit.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I can only echo Sarita. There is not a lot different except you may do more frequent exams with the vet depending on how things go, and be more observant for declining health. The baseline blood panel is also an excellent suggestion-you will not only get your vet familiar with him when he’s not ill, you’ll have something to compare to, and you can also check for any issues he may already have at that point.

I also want to say-wow, you took him in, you neutered him, you found a rescue and you rescued him AGAIN in his time of need. Just wow. and Just Kudos. And just thank you-that’s really really kind of you.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Scooby is so cute! I’m so glad you are taking him in!

6 is really not that old. As long as he’s healthy there is really no special care you need to provide. Like the others mentioned, blood tests and teeth checks become more important as a bunny ages. It’s a good idea to monitor all bunnies’ weight, especially an older bun. I weigh my buns every month.

I recently lost my 8 year old Mini-Rex to cancer. Before he got sick, we was perfectly healthy and even more active than my younger buns. Just like people, how active/healthy a senior bun is individual thing.

Many older buns develop degrees of arthritis but I wouldn’t worry about that too much. In the case of arthritis you can give meds to relieve pain and make sure to offer lots of comfortable, thick bedding and take away condo levels, etc so bunny won’t hurt himself.

Please keep us updated with pictures.

[SirThumpsey]

I also want to say-wow, you took him in, you neutered him, you found a rescue and you rescued him AGAIN in his time of need. Just wow. and Just Kudos. And just thank you-that’s really really kind of you.

That’s pretty much what I wanted to say but since I couldn’t say it better, I just copied it from K&K.

[luvbunz]

Just wanted to first say thanks to everyone for responding, I thought I would be getting Scooby but in the end I did not for a couple reasons out of the best interest for Scooby. Aside from his health issues was having him in a house with a dog. Since I could not bring him home, I instead became his guardian angel, which just means I did and will be helping provide financial support for the remainder of his life.

While there I did meet another bunny in need of a home that I can provide a home for, in a few months after its recovery.
This bunny was found in the streets with a horrible case of warble and has been getting treated for almost a month now. As of now they are not sure of the sex and will not be checking into, until the bunny has healed first. At that time if spay or neuter is needed will be done.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m sorry to hear you won’t be adopting Scooby? Is he able to be adopted by someone else or will he be staying at the shelter?

[luvbunz]

yes, a quiet home with no other pets would seem best for him. As much as I wanted to take him after spending time with him, just knew my house would not be a good fit. My dog alone would have made it so stressful for him. He already is a very nervous bun aside from his health issues. My dog is not a hyper dog like that but can be at times and can be the annoying barker when he wants to be. I am trying to work on that with him, it wasn’t something he used to do.  They would have been sharing the same room etc. It was just a couple things that caused me to not go through with it.

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