Rescue Rabbit Questions

[LeoBunny]

Hey guys! After my senior rabbit passed away I decided I wanted another bun in my life. I wanted to originally adopt from a rescue (which would have been the smart and safe option), but I made the mistake of browsing Craigslist and came across this bun who was in a really bad situation. The rabbit has been kept in a tiny cage for his whole life (he is about 7 months old) and the post was made over a month ago, so I was worried he’d be stuck there. I planned to look him over for any health problems more extensively when I got to their house, but unfortunately he was very nervous and so I wasn’t able to get a great look. Besides his discolored and matted paws (I’m assuming due to sitting in his poop and pee constantly) he looks otherwise healthy. Of course I have a vet appointment booked a week from now to do a checkup and schedule a neutering, but is there anything else I should be keeping an eye on besides teeth, eyes, and nails? Also, from the pictures online I assumed he was a mini or Holland lop, however he is bigger than I thought. Unfortunately I don’t have a scale with me, but would you guys happen to know the breed just by some pictures? Thank you all so much!

[Bam]

Thank you for saving this bun!

He looks like a Holland lop or Mini lop, but most buns are of mixed breeds or somehow not fitting the breed standard. Just weighing a bit too much at a certain age will disqualify a show rabbit from being shown, but it def doesn’t mean there’s something physically wrong with the bun. (Btw he’s adorable!)

It’s good to get a baseline weight. If he’s 7 months he still has some filling in with muscle to do, so he should be increasing in weight slowly and steadily from now on until he’s 1.5-2 years.

What a vet will assess is sex, body composition, fur quality (not reliable if the bun is molting as many buns are this time of year), clear eyes, clear nose and incisor teeth. A good vet will also check the ears over in a lop, bc lops are prone to ear infections.

 

[LeoBunny]

Thank you so much! You guys have been immensely helpful with my questions the last couple of days and I’m so grateful! I can’t wait to give this bun the love and care he deserves ❤️

[LBJ10]

I believe the cutoff for Holland lops is 4lbs. This does not mean that a Holland weighing a bit more than that isn’t a Holland. It just means they don’t fit the breed standards and are probably a false dwarf. Looking at his features though, I would say he’s probably a non-conforming Holland. Now, if we’re talking WAY over the weight limit, then he could be something else.

The vet will definitely assess body condition. As Bam said, if his age is correct, then he should have some filling out to do yet.

[DanaNM]

Poor baby, thank you for rescuing him!

. . . 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.  

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