So…I just got a bunny

[Levilovescelery]

I know pet stores don’t have a good reputation but I saw one bunny and couldn’t leave him behind.I live with someone who helps me learn to be independent so she sort of makes the rules and I wasnt alkowed to have a pet til recently.She said I could have a bunny and shed buy what i picked out on friday if I find one and that I’d get supplies.well she didnt want to do it that day so I did every thing I could to cover the costs alone and was able to bring Levi home last monday.He started smeezing and sounded like his nose was runny and I figured maybe it was his bedding and just kept an eye out for any discharge because I’d done my research and a few days later he had discharge.All that day at work something told me he needed to go to the vet that day that I couldn’t wait until the weekend when I knew I had a ride (I can’t drive).A good freind took me to the vet thursday night and Levi the bunny had a respritory infection,I got him a cjeclup and payed for his medicine he gets antibiotics and a probiotic.My freind paid for him to get a pennicilin shot and got him new bedding paper instead of wood and less dust to bother his breathing.I feel really bad and wish i could afford to help the other bunnies levi was with,his siblings and another litter of the same breed as he is (mini rex).But I’m glad I got to make sure he was ok because I fell in love with him as soon as I saw him.He is so freindly sweet and affectionate!(I had 2 more photos but was having trouble getting them on here) 

[jerseygirl]

Congratulations on your new rabbit! I can see why you fell in love!! He is strikingly handsome. Do you know how old he is?
I got my first rabbit from a pet store too and it was a steep learning curve from then on. Im still learning, all these years later!

Unfortunately, its not uncommon for pet store rabbits to have a bit of a respiratory problem. So often, it’s the type of bedding they put them on and poor ventilation. It can really irritate the nasal passages. Hopefully you’ll see an improvement in a better environment and with the help of meds if he has a bacterial infection.
Will you be getting some follow up doses of penicilllin?

Do be careful with collars on rabbits. (I can’t tell if its a collar in the photo or maybe a bandana??) It’s better they don’t have anything around the neck but if they do, be certain it is a break-away collar so it will come apart if the rabbit manages to get it caught on something. Rabbits get into mischief very easily!!!!

[MountainBuns]

So cute and handsome! What and adorable little boy! How old is he?

Yes, it was most likely the bedding that caused this infection. I would also recommend you take the collar off so he does not get caught in anything.

Congratulations! You should join the Welcome Thread and meet everybunny!

[Wick & Fable]

Welcome to BB! You’re very kind hearted to pull your resources together to do the best you could for the time being for Levi. I’m sure he’s going to be much happier out of the pet store and with both antibiotic and probiotic for the infection (props to the vet for prescribing both!).

Rabbit ownership for those who do not live on their own can be both a beneficial and difficult source of character development. The large majority of people really underestimate the huge capacity of resources and effort it takes to make a pet rabbit both happy and healthy. As you learn more about Levi, rabbit care, etc., it’s important to communicate with others in your life who also have a hand directly or indirectly on his quality of life. Rabbit ownership really helps teach persistence, attention to detail, budgeting, and the importance of maintaining responsibility. You cannot burn out with rabbit care. Daily cleaning, daily grooming during molts, potentially daily medications, etc.. these are constant gears to keep a hand on for rabbit care, just like eating and exercising is for us as humans. It’s wonderful you found Levi and are looking to better his life!!

Do you know how old Levi is, and did the vet you saw give him a general check up?

It may be very helpful to get a confirmation on what you’ve bought and what’s good, bad, or could be improved. Pet stores, as you seem to know, can be a bit untrustworthy. Products advertised for rabbits or recommended for them may not be correct and employees are very misinformed. I highly recommend reading the BUNNY INFO sections on this website (see top of website) to read about proper diet, environment, etc..

I find Instagram is a nice tool to see how other people set things up, but remember that all rabbits are different and those on social media may give you an inaccurate idea of what a pet rabbit may actually be like (since not many people will post every time their rabbit pees on the sofa, haha).

Below are some things you can check out:

1) See here for a thread where BB members talk about some cons of their rabbits, just to shed a realistic perspective of what to expect: https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/164986/Default.aspx

2) Here are a few Instagram users from these forums which show some good snippits of rabbit ownership. You do not need an account to look at the pictures. Go to http://www.instagram.com and add…

Wick – …/wick_theboogeyman

Azerane – …/bunny_basics

BunNoob – …/duchess.ophelia

… Others are listed on this topic: https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/165018/Default.aspx

I like looking at user accounts rather than the most popular rabbit Instagrams. I know rabbits are pretty and cute, so I like to see real photos of them being just them!

3) There’s a general February new member topic you can reply to for some more replies, so more users can chime in as well! https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/165121/Default.aspx

It’s easy to feel bad that you can’t adopt all the rabbits, but you having one and teaching those around you about proper care can create a great ripple effect.

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.

[Bladesmith]

What a handsome fellow! And welcome to the addiction, erm I mean, family!

[Bam]

Levi is beautiful! He looks so elegant with that black spot on his face. I hope his respiratory infection will clear up soon. My bun had a respiratory infection last summer, he got well again after he had had antibiotics by mouth for two weeks.

It’s very sad when pet shop bunnies aren’t treated as well as they deserve. Thank you for saving Levi.

[Reesebun]

Congrats on the new bunny! I hope he gets better. My first bunny was also from a pet store, and she grew up to be a very healthy bunny, and I hope yours does the same.

[Luna]

Hi! He is too cute! What a ham .

[Levilovescelery]

He’s going back to the vet on saturday.and im 19 now but my family used to breed jersey wooleys when i was 15 so I have some limited experience being fully responsible is different.and it isnt a collar just a ribbon,not double knotted or anything tied it in a bow.I took it off after the pictures I took it was just for photos.

[Levilovescelery]

The ribbon was just for some photos I took it off afterwards.And the pet store said his birthday was November 29th making him about 2 months old but Ive been told by a freind of my boyfreinds aunt who fosters bunnies that he looks older.

[Wick & Fable]

It was a cute photo, so worth the extra costuming for it, haha

Since your family use to breed rabbits, I will say that there are disagreements/misunderstandings between rabbit breeders and domestic rabbit pet owners, so if your family suggests something because it’s “how they treated it” for their breeding rabbits, I recommend searching online just to confirm, or speaking with your vet (great your vet runs weekend visits!). The topic of rabbit breeding itself is prohibited on these forums, though I don’t expect you’d bring it up. The search function is not working on this site, but if you Google “site: binkybunny.com _____________” (and fill in search term(s) in place of the blank line), Google will show results. Do not reply to old topics — start a new one instead! The forums has so many repeated topics, but that’s desired and best as we learn more information and try and stay as up to date as possible!

Since you’re living with your family, definitely keep them in the loop about what you perceive are Levi’s preferences and be his voice. I tell Wick’s other parent to turn down the TV when Wick is sleeping, and we also turn on the vacuum in specifics spots, depending on where Wick is. He doesn’t mind the vacuum, we just can’t start it if he’s within 2 ft of it or he’ll get quite frightened by the sudden noise. Other examples can be: some people find their rabbits are bothered by certain food smells or types of music (Wick does not like electronic/pop music; too many sharp sounds). If something’s happening and you notice Levi’s a little off, don’t hesitate to request behavior changes of your family to figure out what’s bothering Levi.

If you have any concerns about your layout, supplies, etc., feel free to post the details and BB members can chime in with thoughts.

Again, welcome to domestic rabbit pet ownership. It’s a great place to be.

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.

[Wick & Fable]

He does look older than 2 months old. 2 months is the minimum age to separate a rabbit from its mother, so I wonder if the pet store did a slight fib since a “baby/young” rabbit is easier to sell than an older one…. Who knows. If your vet confirms he is on the younger side, this will affect what he should be eating, as opposed to if he’s older than 6mo. I am only experienced with netherland dwarfs, so I don’t know how old your rabbit looks. If he is that young, there is a chance he may be a she, if the parts are still developing. Pet stores often label rabbits as the wrong sex.

Maybe other members can chime in with some thoughts on young rabbit vs. adult rabbit diet at this stage.

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.

[Levilovescelery]

I’m sort of half way on my own?Its complicated but basically a family id been adopted by and was with since I was 9 or 10 ended bad and I got disowned despite having done nothing majorly awful its kinda complicated.And I was almost homeless since id just turned 19 and because I have a diagnoses of aspergers syndrome I was able to get some help.The lady i live with is a caretaker of sorts but I pay my own room and board and phone bill and buy most of my own food.I am on social security but I also have a job in addition to that.And yeah he had wood chip bedding at the shop and the first days with me because it was cheaper amd I was kust getting over the expense of the cage and everything else.he is now on paper bedding though and I’m working my way up to a litterbox.From having an adopted family who used to breed rabbits I did know that timothy hay was one of the best,he gets that and oxbow pellets the ones for young rabbits.And he gets the occasional snack hes had a tiny eice of cabbage one time,but usually he gets a small peice of celery that i clean really good every day celery is his favorite treat which is where the username came from it will be easier to cover expenses now that upfront costs are over with I’m going to save and get him a play pen and a carrier stuff like that

[Levilovescelery]

LOL thanks!

[Levilovescelery]

Thanks!And the vet said she knows that shops owner and he is nice but they breed rats too so the infection could have come from that but I don’t know.I did calk and tell them about the infection so they would know its possible the other bunnies have it,there were 6 in the enclosure thing including Levi

[Levilovescelery]

Thank you,I hope he gets better too.

[Levilovescelery]

I was trying to explain that I basically dont have a family anymore.They dont even talk to me not my parents and sister anyways,I do get an occasional email from aunts and grandparents though.I live with a caretaker of sorts,the hope is for me to eventually move to my own place.I just needed a little help for the time being. The main thing with the lady I live with is keep the smell down like she’s weird about smells its almost a bit much like shes VERY particular about smells and Levi has to stay in my room (except when taking him out the front door to the vet and stuff)he’s fully my responsibility she wants nothing to do with him.Which is better because her and her grandkids never eeally go in my room so he won’t be disturbed

[Levilovescelery]

Yeah,I did double check myself I’m PRETTY sure Levi is a he but I may have the vet give me a 3rd opinion.when i can afford it I want to neuter him (my family bred bunnies, not me.I don’t plan on doing that so if its a she spayed or of Levi IS a boy neutered…as soon as I can afford it)

[Levilovescelery]

Yeah my phone keeps being weird and I end up replying stuff 3 times sorry if i did

[Reesebun]

I think that happens when you press the submit button more than once because it loads very slowly. Try only pressing once then waiting for a bit. My phone is super slow and it does that too

[Levilovescelery]

I think thats what happened the first few times.My phone needs to be replaced but my service provider doesnt do upgrades.The power button is broken so if my phone dies after I charge it I have to pop the battery out and back in and cant close apps anymore.its slow,but maybe I should try my laptop at home should work better.

[Author]

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