Urgent- My Local Breeder Is Lying to Me UPDATE

[Grace]

Hello, everyone!

In case you haven’t seen, here is the previous/original thread on my dilemma regarding my local Holland Lop breeder: https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/157321/Default.aspx

Here is my update:

After speaking with numerous rabbit owners as well as breeders, I have decided on waiting until I pick up the little one before reporting the breeder. I have paid extra money (sigh) and requested my breeder to PLEASE keep the baby bun with her mother until the first week of May (that’s when she will be around 8 weeks) so that I can pick her up then. The breeder had the audacity to try and make me feel dumb saying that she was ready to be picked up last week… when the baby bun is clearly TINY and not ready.

My second dilemma: when I visited my breeder to give her the payment and check up on the bun, I took a few pictures and realized that she has some poop stains (?) on her butt/underside? I believe this is called “poopy butt” from diarrhea or poo that is too soft? I am so worried for the health of my baby bunny since I have discovered the greed and irresponsibility of my local breeder. Here is a picture for reference: 

Am I being too paranoid? Does this look like poopy butt? IS MY BUNNY OKAY? What should I do if that stain is from diarrhea? Please let me know!!

[BunnyFriends]

I’m confused – is the bun currently at your house, or did the breeder agree to keep her until then?

[vanessa]

BunnyFriends, she took the picture at the breeders place.
Grace – it is kinda hard to tell for me, from that picture. When I see poopy butt, it is fresh, so it looks a lot worse. It could be an old poopy butt stain that is no longer poopy. I don’t think there is anything you can do at the moment, except keep on talking pictures. May is coming up soon – I would contact the vet you plan to use, and schedule an appointment for the day you bring the bunny home. I would always get a new bunny checked out by a vet on the way home from picking him/her up, if possible.
The breeder doesn’t sound very cooperative. Perhaps you could ask what kind of food the bunny is eating so that you can “provide the same diet”. By stating it that way, you could get the info, and determine if the bunny’s diet is appropriate. Baby bunnies do sometimes get coccidiosis, which is not good.

[Boston's Mama]

I would say it is poopy butt – not nessasarily a worry though as this can happen when babies are weaning as their stomachs adjust to more than feeding from mums
Next time you go check it has cleared up. In a week in should have.
Also check mums poop in the cage – see if that looks normal

Oakley had poopy but when I visited him at 4 weeks old – gone by next visit at 6 weeks. For him it was just the weaning stage. But as mentioned above it could be cocci
Looking at mums poop and seeing if your bubs cleared up in a week would be a better indicator

Your bun is only 4 (5? ) weeks old if I remember the age right from your other post so that would be the time she / he is being weaned .even though the breeder says she ready now she clearing is way too young and ignore her making you feel silly – you’re doing the right thing by your bun waiting

[Boston's Mama]

I also agree you need a vet visit for the first day – leave from collecting baby to the vet straight away.
The breeder is irresponsible – selling you ( or attempting to) a bunny at 3 weeks old – not being honest.
If she doesn’t care enough about her health to keep her till right age I would question the health in her rabbitry.
From simple things like mites to serious ones like cocci or ec

I got my Oakley from a great breeder – but he still got poopy butt at weaning. Straight to vet after getting him and no mites , no sign of anything and he has been healthy right through.

Boston was from a bad breeder , who sent him way too young to a bad petstore. Straight to vet with hm and he needed ec treatment which we just finished and they found out today he had microscopic mites and ear mites which he also has now given to Oakley.

Twice during the ec treatment it meant throwing out all his blankets and unwashable toys – bleaching all that I can save
And now with mites we had to do it all again today for both boys. Gets expensive! I don’t regret for a second getting boston – so I’m not saying don’t get her as I know from the other post you are too attached not too- but def go straight to vet, keep her cage decor simple and easy to replace incase something pops up with her health in a week – 10days of getting her as I suspect you’ll need to at least treat something with the sounds of the breeder – and do report her as you said you will after getting her – other baby bun buyers may not be as clued up on ages and health etc and the poor underage bunnies will suffer

[Grace]

Thank you all for your responses! I will do my best to keep checking on her and I will try and bring her to the vet soon after bringing her home.

Do any of you know a cheap/affordable health insurance for pets that I could use in the USA??

[jerseygirl]

As far as I know, there aren’t many pet companies that cover rabbits. Two that I know of is VPI, which is $12 a month, I believe. And PetAssure- I don’t know the fee.There is also CareCredit/Veterinary for funds when you need extra help.

Edit to add: another thread just reminded me that VPI is now called Nationwide. http://www.petinsurance.com/birds

And here is the link to Pet Assure http://www.petassure.com/

[meridiian]

Its been a while. How did it all turn out?

[Q8bunny]

I’ve been quietly following this soap opera as well
Any news, Grace? Is your sweetpea home with you? Did you report the breeder? *fingers crossed that all is well with bunbun*

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