Hi everyone,
Just to provide some background, I am a first time rabbit owner. I am currently living in Peru in the city of Cusco (not known for it’s high standard of animal cared). I was walking by a market about 5 days ago and came across a woman selling rabbits. There was about 8 rabbits for different sizes crammed into a glass shelf and I felt particularly sorry for the small black rabbit (now mine) being toppled. I asked her how old he was and she told me 6 weeks, while I didn’t know a thing about rabbits this sounded awfully young. I bought him and went straight to a vet.
The vet gave him an injection and made him swallow some drops of two different medications (apparently all of this for mites and worms). I was very concerned about the wet fur on the right side of his cheek. The vet rubbed some antibiotic something or rather on it and then cleaned it. However, the fur didn’t become any less wet. He told me to come back if the problem persisted. He told me to feed him a mix of pallets, leafy greens and hay. I cannot find hay anywhere, I have been to multiple markets without any luck. I provide him with fresh (bottles water as tap water here is horrible) everyday. He has been eating fresh alfalfa and pallets. I am moving to Lima in a week or so (I can purchase imported Timothy Hay there), but his poo has become sticky and is sticking to his chest – which I keep removing.
I am finding things rather impossible here. I created a makeshift cage for him as a temporary solution (approx 80cmx80cm) but paper based little is not available here and he just seems to poo everywhere. Also I have been taking photos and he doesn’t appear to ever eat the poo he is supposed to. His mouth has become so wet all the fur it matted in bunny dreads and I can see exposed skin and pellet dust is stuck to it and I can’t wipe it off. I spoke to the vet (a good friend of mine has had rabbits for many years) and she suggested having his teeth checked and the matter fur removed. I asked the vet about this and he seems to think I am over worried for just a rabbit. No one can tell me where to get hay either.
If you could provide me with further advice for the constantly damp and matted fur, sticky poo, hay substitute (temporary) and bedding (I can get straw either so he currently sleeps on a blanket which I check regularly to make sure he’s not nibbling).
He is still very energetic, drinks a lot of water, eats a lot. He’s currently bouncing on my chest trying to get my attention. He’s very friendly, hasn’t been aggressive in any way and seems quite excited to see me when I get home. He’s always by my side. I really want to get these problems sorted as best I can with whats currently available. I am very attached to him already.
Thanks so much for all your help.