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Took The Phooka to the vet this morning. He was not able to test for hearing, unless I wanted to take The Phooka up to Cornell University, and I didn't see much reason for that. Other than the hearing, The Phooka seems to be healthy and happy. When the vet walked in, he started laughing, because I had The Phooka cradled in my arms, feet up in the air, and he wasn't minding at all, past grumpy-face. "Such a stressed out rabbit," the vet said. For a bun in his senior years, he seems to be in good shape. There are some adjustments I'm realizing - he hasn't jumped up into the Softy Chair with me in a long time, and it suddenly occured to me that maybe he doesn't want to jump that high anymore. I made a "step" for him, and he's already jumped up on it and peered at me from it, but hasn't quite jumped up from there yet. I don't quite blame him - it's so darned hot here, I don't really want to snuggle with a huge furry creature either. A better judgement on his activity may come this weekend when the temps are going to soar downward.
I've always talked to The Phooka whenever I walk by him. It's a little disconcerting to know he can't hear me.
Question about bunny losing weight
Hi everyone,
I have a question. My just turned seven year old rabbit Brighton is losing weight. I took him to the vet for a check up and he went from 5.2 to 4.15 in the span of April to Aug 22nd. I had Dr. Carrie run the expensive blood tests and all of them came back fine. His liver levels were a little low, but Dr. Carrie consulted with the exotic animal technician at the testing place and they both agreed it was nothing to worry about. So why then is Brighton losing all this weight? Is it molting?
He has a another appointment schedule on the 24th to be weighed again. Dr. Carrie checked his teeth and they appear to be normal. Though if he has lost more weight on the 24th she is going to send me out on referral to get his teeth x-rayed (they don't have the equipment at the vet office to do so). I'll probably also pay for the blood tests to check his white and red blood count and to see if he has become anemic.
His weight loss is really worrying me. I find myself crying at odd times at the though of losing him. He's my only boy bunny and is so precious to me. Does anyone have any idea why he might be losing weight??
* I have been giving him more greens and alphala to eat. He only seems to eat a little at the time, but so does Rachel bunny and she's fine. I'm not sure if he goes back and eats some more later on. He's never been one to sit there and gorge himself with food. Though he seemed to eat more veggies and hay before.
xposted at ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif) bunnyowners
Is vinegar safe for rabbits?
I'm cleaning my rabbit's playpen with a vinegar/water solution and I was wondering, if some of the hay that was in there gets sprayed with vinegar and remains stuck in the pen, would it be harmful for the rabbit if he eats it later?
TIA!
I think I have come to realize that The Phooka is either hard of hearing or completely deaf. At first, I thought maybe he was "selective hearing", but I started to notice that he wasn't reacting to the salad-call or the rattle of the papaya bottle. The last couple of days, I've been clapping my hands at him at odd moments loudly, and he isn't reacting at all - not even his nose twitching faster. He's over six years old, not quite six-and-a-half, which is getting up there in years for a French Lop.
Does anyone have any experience in deafness in rabbits?
Is this where I should be taking him to his vet? Would the vet even be able to tell - is there a way to measure hearing in animals? There's no bad smell in his ears and he's not off-balance at all. He's a little more withdrawn, but it's really hot here, and so him being in his favorite cooler corners is not that unusual.
I've never come across this in any of my rabbits before - Gekko was almost totally blind (and I never noticed, because he was so good at navigating), but deafness is a new one to me.
Advice? Input?
Quick question...
I was quoted $99 for neutering. Is this about standard? (I'm in the U.S.)
TIA!
Found a Bunny
On Friday, I found a rabbit in my neighborhood. It appears he had been dumped by his previous owners near a sort of woodsy area where wild rabbits live. I took him in and will likely keep him because 1. I've been wanting a rabbit and 2. aside from the likelihood that there are already many rabbits waiting for homes around here, he probably won't have a good chance at finding one since he bites and has some weird physical issue. Anyway, this is my first rabbit and there's lots I don't know about them, so I'm sure I'll be posting here quite a bit. ;)
I'm guessing he (or she) is an English Spot. Am I right?
How often should I give him veggies in addition to his pellets?
Any tips on how to get my dogs to not want to eat him?
Any other advice?
And finally (for now), his weird physical issue... When I first found him, I made the assumption that he MIGHT be male because there's a pair of hairless bulges underneath him. But when I looked up how to sex rabbits, I got the impression that those weren't what I thought they were and in fact, might not be normal. What's more, he has a small chunk missing from one of the bulges, as though something small was eating at him. The weird thing is, it's not an open wound at all... it's just... well, it's hard to describe. I'm don't have the money to spend on a vet visit until it's been decided whether he is going to stay or not, so in the meantime I got a picture and would like to know if anyone has any idea what's going on here.
Unfortunately, the pic isn't very good and I was unable to get a good look myself because he hates being turned over. The bulges appear to end in points (nipples?). The dark spot is the chewed out bit.
Thank you for your help!
X-Posted.
And it's me again
I just got my application approved to adopt a companion for Magellan. I'm excited! But... nervous.
Right now, he is the biggest snuggler and attention-whore I never expected out of a rabbit. This might be because I spend most of my time at home around him, and at least a few hours a night with him on the couch, but I'm a bit worried. Is another rabbit going to mess this up?
I was told by the adoption coordinator that rabbits can sometimes stop caring as much for their humans and basically reduce them to their slave, favoring their same-species companion. She said as long as I'm 'pro-active" in maintaining the bond, though, it could be alright. But how do I know I'll do that right? Magellan is my first rabbit, so I'm not exactly experienced. D:
What's your experience with getting a friend for your bun? Did they stop caring about you? I could deal with him fawning over me less, but I really don't want him to basically ignore me unless I have food.
That's my leg he's laying on. I'd be so sad to lose that kind of sweetness!
How high is too high for a rabbit?
There's this side table I salvaged that is awkwardly high. I was intending on cutting down its legs so it looks more normal, but Magellan enjoys it so much. It's become his "perch." Thing is, I know rabbits don't handle falls well, but I don't know how how tall something needs to be to be dangerous for them. From floor to top, it's 33 inches high.
(No worries about the wire- I have a clear wire cover over it that he doesn't touch.)
Hello everybody. I just got back from vacation on Sunday night and I had noticed that Juliette had a whole clump of poop stuck to her butt. This has never happened before so I thought it was just because I was away. However, I found it on her again last night. I'm sort of freaking out because 1. this has never happened before and 2. I don't know what's causing it or what to do. I tried to google it online last night to give me some clear answers and I wasn't coming up with any real good results on how to prevent it. Has this ever happened to any of you before and what did you do to stop it from happening?
Thanks!
Note To Kitten and Cat and Bunny
Dear Smidgie,
I'm so glad that you like the new bed so much. It's obviously given the bedroom a whole new outlook for you. It's turned it into a brand new playground! I've even caught you sleeping with me at night, and I had thought you had given that up once you became a teenager. Because Mommas aren't as cool to teenagers, although thankfully, you still do drive-by kittenings and give me nose-kisses.
However, I find that I do need to set a couple of ground rules.
Number One. Yes, those are drawers in the sides of the bed. No, they are not for kittens. Nor are the contents. You can stop reaching into them from around the edges of the mattress topper and pulling things out of them. Anytime now. Really. And please don't figure out how to OPEN the drawers, because I know you're only about a couple of seconds away from that.
Number Two. I know you are a chewer. I don't know WHY you chew. You are far past the teething age. Sometimes I swear that you are Jazzi reincarnated, except that Jazzi died after you were born. She was a chewer too. However, I'd really like it if you would stop chewing my jewelry box. Yes, I did find the teethmarks on it! I don't have very many nice decorative things or even many things from my childhood, but my little jewelry box is one of both. So please leave it alone. Along the same lines... chewing the metal wall standards that will someday (soon-ish) hold shelf brackets and shelves? Now, that's just... odd.
Number Three. I know you can reach the light-switch now. BUT! If you EVER turn the lights on in the middle of the night when Momma is trying to sleep? You will learn how to fly. And it will not be dignified.
*
Dear Noxie,
I am sorry that you got made up into the bed. You seemed to like being all covered in blankies at first.
And then your sister saw the Noxie-lump moving.
And she reacted in a kitten-appropriate manner.
And there was no dignity for several moments thereafter.
I think, however, that you will really like the new memory foam mattress that will be coming this week!
*
Dear Phooka,
I know you haven't come into the bedroom yet. When you do, however, I hope it is not at a full run and I really hope that you notice two things before you try to dive Under The Bed.
First, the bed is now in a different place and position.
Second... it is a platform bed with storage drawers... which means there is no longer an Under The Bed.
Please take note of these two important items before you do your next mad-dash.
And stop stealing photographs, especially right after I told you NO! Or eating the spider plant's little babies right after I told you NO! And stop trampling over the kitten... no, you can go ahead and do that. She deserves it, I know.
Love all three of you!
Another great article on rabbit health
Another great Phyllis O'Beollain article on rabbit health:
http://www.examiner.com/x-7748-Dayton-Small-Pets-Examiner~y2010m8d8-Mastocytoma-in-rabbits-and-other-pets?cid=examiner-email
The pet that cleans up after himself!
So I just watched my rabbit kick half his hay out of his litterbox while he was digging in it, then, very meticulously, mouthfull-by-mouthfull, put it all back inside. I'm just gobsmacked! I knew rabbits were clean pets, but that's something else. Have your rabbits ever done this?
Reproductive system cancers in rabbits
Another great article from Phyllis O'Beollain that I recommend reading:
http://www.examiner.com/x-7748-Dayton-Small-Pets-Examiner~y2010m8d4-Reproductive-system-cancers-in-rabbits?cid=examiner-email
My sister's rabbit died of uterine cancer; had I known then what I know now, I would have urged my sister to have her spayed. It is a needless death when it can be prevented so simply.
Heart disease in rabbits, part 3
Here's the third (and I believe, last) part in a series on heart disease in rabbits:
http://www.examiner.com/x-7748-Dayton-Small-Pets-Examiner~y2010m7d27-Cardiac-disease-in-pet-rabbits-part-III--treatment?cid=examiner-email
Heart disease in rabbits, part 2
Here's Part 2 of a series of articles on heart disease in rabbits:
http://www.examiner.com/x-7748-Dayton-Small-Pets-Examiner~y2010m7d26-Cardiac-disease-in-pet-rabbits-part-II--testing-and-diagnosis?cid=examiner-email
Heart disease in pet rabbits
As I have mentioned before, Phyllis O'Beollain writes wonderful articles on medical issues with small animals. This is the beginning of a series on heart disease in pet rabbits, and details the signs and symtpoms:
http://www.examiner.com/x-7748-Dayton-Small-Pets-Examiner~y2010m7d25-Cardiac-disease-in-pet-rabbits-part-I--signs-and-symptoms?cid=examiner-email
You can sign up to receive her articles via email or follow her on Twitter (@POBeollain)
Bunny Help
Ok,
Leah Bunny seems to be having an issue. In the last 2 days i've been to the vet three times. It all started on wednesday when she didn't want to eat. I thought she had gas so i did all the necessary procedures. Pain meds, gas meds, critical care, bunny message, ect... Thursday comes along and Leah still doesn't want to eat. So i call the vet but unfortunately can't get my normal Dr. Carrie (shes not there). I instead get the newer bunny vet Dr. Brady. Took Leah in and Dr. Brady guessed she had gas. Doesn't believe in giving bunnies pain meds. I go home. Leah goes to lay down and falls sideways. Does it again when she goes to shake. I call vet back and rush her in. See Dr. Brady again. Same diagnosis, believes she just lost her balance. Leah got some free fluids and a free visit ( I can be very pitiful when i want to and not having a job just increases my patheticness). Later that evening i notice Leah is sneezing and wiping her nose a lot. Next day i take her back to the vet and get to see my Dr. Carrie. Dr. Carrie gives her a through examination. She feels her belly a few times and says she can't feel any blockage. Believes she may have some gas and that she might have developed some arthritis from when she broke her pelvis in 4 places last summer. The heat might be causing her to hurt and not want to eat. She gives me some pain meds and gives me a complementary vet visit ( just had to pay for pain meds). She'll call monday to see how she is.
Leah has had 3 full doses of pain meds and still doesn't want to eat. She is laying down a lot, but will move around. I also know she is peeing and pretty sure she is pooing some. Does anyone have any idea what is going on with her? She is breathing heavy (Dr. Carrie is aware of this), and as i said not wanting to eat. She, who has always had to be first with getting veggies. I got a bunny mini fridge in the garage now for their food and the day before the setting was too high and their veggies had froze. That was the only difference the day before that i can think of. All the rest of the pack is fine though.
I'm getting at my wits end. All that i think of it how many terrible things could be wrong with her.. Does anyone have any idea what might be going on with Leah?????
xposted at bunnyowners
Cataracts?
Hi everyone! :) welcome all new comers! there are so many new posts I can hardly keep up!
anyways to the point of my post. We went to the bet today to have both Ruby and Mopsy checked out. The backs of Ruby's ears are kind of bald and it concerned my but turns out it's just her starting to molt! haha.
Mopsy we found out though is starting to form cataracts! :( in both eyes, Dr.Chris figured from starting to get old, but she's only about 4 and half, to 5 years old. Just wanted to know your guys experiences with cataracts in your bunnies? she's just the first one I've had who's got them and I'm not totally sure what to do.
As of right now they're very small, and not inhibiting her vision much, (if at all)
I can try and get pictures of her cataracts if anybody really wants to see them /:
Scab
Tonight when I was brushing my bunny's fur, I noticed a sore on his leg. It's a round scab where his front leg meets his body. At first I panicked about flystrike but Muffin is an indoor bun and doesn't have damp fur or diarrhea or anything, and the scab is dry. I don't have any other animals so he couldn't have picked anything up from outside. His fur had gotten matted around his legs and I've been trimming and brushing it and it's pretty under control now, but maybe it was irritation from a mat pulling at his skin? He didn't seem too upset about me touching around the area of the scab, and he's acting completely normal and energetic. Does anyone have an idea about what this might be?
Separation Anxiety
My bunny just turned two and I think she might get separation anxiety lol.
I went out of town for 2 days and my mom was taking care of her. My mom plays with her and pets her almost everyday, so I didn't think it would be a problem. But after the first day she just started grunting at my mom. This same thing happened with my friend who took care of her last year, except that I think my friend played with her only like once before that. Well I came back today and she was fine, happy to see me and not grunting. My mom came back to visit me and she didnt grunt at her.
Has this happened to anyone else? Is this just separation anxiety? Any suggestions/advice?
Rabbits and shag carpet
So, I'm in a rental right now... with wall-to-wall shag carpet in EVERY room (even the bathrooms, horrendously enough). My rabbit was free to roam an entire room in my previous home, and never messed with the lower-pile carpet. Today, though, I just discovered he's completely ripped up a corner of this carpet, so it's detaching from the floor.
I'd love to rip this carpet up and throw it out the window, but since I'm a renter, I can't. He's an active and large rabbit, so caging him tends to just feel cruel and inadequate. Much as I'd love to give him a rabbit condo like at Leith Petwerks, I'm definitely not made of money at current. I've looked in to NIC cages, with the complication that I can never seem to find all of the supplies they call for.
Do I have any other options besides moving (can't right now) or cooping him up?
New Video Star at HRS
House Rabbit Society has a new video page, which you can find at http://www.rabbit.org/fun/videos.html
You will also see a very familiar-looking lop there. :D
another toki update
The last time I posted about my bun Toki, he had a badly infected eye, was experiencing dizziness, spinning and was tipping over to one side. Well after a scary weekend where we didn't know if he'd make it or not because his symptoms were getting so bad, he did a complete 180 and started to recover very rapidly. He had a couple of bouts of diarrhea but otherwise returned to his normal energetic self, other than the fact that his eye's been taking forever to heal (and it's still healing).
Well, we took him to the vet yesterday for his followup appointment, and the vet put a stain in his eye, the same thing he'd done every other time, to check the eye's progress. He said there was still some ulceration within the eye but that it was healing, it would just take longer to heal. But ever since yesterday he's been backtracking. He'll only eat timothy hay now (with the exception of half a carrot a few hours ago), and he hasn't been drinking at all. I've been having to go back to giving him water via a dropper, like I did when he was really sick. Plus his diarrhea is back, not horribly but not normal either. And his energy level is way down again.
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