Keeping a lop eared rabbit question...

humberklog

I've *inherited* a lop eared rabbit (I think Dutch breed). She's about 5 months old. I've had it for 2 months and previous owner about the same.

i've recently had her spayed and I'm feeding it well. Hay, pellets, fruit and veg treats etc. The bunny is happy (IMO) and healthy (according to the vet).

She came with a standard pet shop 3"x1.5" cage/hutch. Plastic bottom and wire top. She has grown since we got her but I think she's fully grown now. Hutch is kept clean and fresh and she generally has the apartment to bop about in.
We don't lock her in the cage day or night but when there's no one home she's restricted to hallway and a bedroom. When there is someone home she can use sitting room and balcony.

She's friendly, loves a cuddle, jumps onto couch, licks my hand and best of all- since spayed she's flying with regards to litter training.

The rabbit is well minded and loved but there's one problem. I read a lot that ideally they should be kept in pairs but I don't think I've got the space for 2.

Is it the worst thing in the world to keep one rabbit?

Knine

humberklog wrote: »

I've *inherited* a lop eared rabbit (I think Dutch breed). She's about 5 months old. I've had it for 2 months and previous owner about the same.

i've recently had her spayed and I'm feeding it well. Hay, pellets, fruit and veg treats etc. The bunny is happy (IMO) and healthy (according to the vet).

She came with a standard pet shop 3"x1.5" cage/hutch. Plastic bottom and wire top. She has grown since we got her but I think she's fully grown now. Hutch is kept clean and fresh and she generally has the apartment to bop about in.
We don't lock her in the cage day or night but when there's no one home she's restricted to hallway and a bedroom. When there is someone home she can use sitting room and balcony.

She's friendly, loves a cuddle, jumps onto couch, licks my hand and best of all- since spayed she's flying with regards to litter training.

The rabbit is well minded and loved but there's one problem. I read a lot that ideally they should be kept in pairs but I don't think I've got the space for 2.

Is it the worst thing in the world to keep one rabbit?

No. Rabbits can be perfectly happy on their own once they are not left sitting in a hutch on their own all day. In fact Rabbits don't always bond too easily with other rabbit unless they are introduced fairly young. She should be fine on her own. Sounds like she has found herself a great home.

Cherry Blossom

I actually had two Netherland dwarfs, two sisters from the same litter. One had to go in the vets for a week and when she came back the two of them suddenly hated the sight of each other. Despite my best efforts to rebond them, I was never able to leave them alone together again after that.

humberklog

Thanks for the replies.
We're after getting very attached to the bunny and want to be doing the right thing. I'm sure having a 2nd one from the off is best practice however it would be totally impractical for the apartment.
If it was an essential requirement it would likely mean the rabbit being moved onto a 3rd party or sanctuary.
As it is, the original owner still enjoys time with her and can look after her when we're away on hols etc. The rabbit is the perfect fit for all of us but only if it was going solo.

Silverfish

I've a solo house rabbit, there were bonding attempts in the past but she's very territorial and they didn't go well, she's very much a people rabbit than a rabbit rabbit. Females are more territorial than males, and are less happy to accept the arrival of a new rabbit, males are always happy to see a female bun arrive into their territory!
If she's happy, I'd leave her be. If she has company and attention, she'll be ok.

One thing I will say is lops can be prone to ear infections, so just keep an eye on it and check the ear canals now and again for any sign, or any excessive scratching or head shaking. And get the RHD2 vaccine!

humberklog

No point in new thread re this question...

The bunny in the evening crashes out usually in the doorway of the sitting room and hallway (where her hutch is). When she chilling out she spreads out like this with her legs out (that's a good sign apparently) but the big puffiness around her neck is what I'm curious about, is she too hot? Is it normal? Is it a sign of something else?

She's been moulting a little recently but I've been grooming her quite well, her diet is good and she likes when when I pet her in this position too.

Silverfish

Dewlap!

Its basically a fat deposit, female rabbits have it and they pluck fur from it to coat their nest for their baby bunnies. Also a convenient pillow.

That's one happy and relaxed bunny.

humberklog

Ah great, so nothing to worry about? I think she only looks fat around the neck when she puffs it out like that otherwise the rest of her doesn't look fat to my eye.

Silverfish

Here's my old bunny who had a big dewlap, and was always a healthy weight!

bertsmom

Aww they are both just beautiful. I never knew rabbits could be so friendly and interactive with people! OP I'd say she will love her new home with ya , ye sound like a great fit.

humberklog

^Nor I Bertsmom. As I said in OP we only inherited her as she wasn't a great fit for 1st owner.
They're really friendly with bags of personality, easy to house train and once you figure out a good cleaning regime they're quite easy to maintain.
Great apartment pet.

humberklog

Apparently there's a small lump on the rabbit's back foot. I haven't investigated yet but will soon.
The bunny's quite particular about how she's handled, I don't lift her up and she shows me her belly but won't let me rub her there. She's fairly protective of herself.

Any top tips about how to inspect a back leg that usually wouldn't be surrendered for inspection?

I watched something on line suggesting you grab them from behind and tip them back whilst they're sitting on their bum, that hasn't been successful in the past with her.

Silverfish

My Lola can't be handled at all, but she has gut stasis at the moment so she has to get syringe medication twice a day. Here's how I do it.
Wear a hoodie or something with thick sleeves, nails are sharp. Put a towel on a table. Lift her up (I usually grab her from behind) both hands, around her behind her front shoulders, and quickly support her back legs and hold her close to your body so she's fully supported. When Lola is on the towel, it's unfamiliar so she holds pretty still, you should be able to get a look at it.

Alternative is have a chair nearby, and put her on your knees - she won't like it, but it has to be done, and rabbits forgive afterwards. Mostly.

humberklog

Great advice Silverfish. Basically what I do is gonna be for her benefit, get stuck and do it. She'll get over it.

Tellsyawhat, when I tried to examine her scar from her spaying she went nuts and I was amazed at the strength in her back legs.

I'll dig out an old hoody and make arm armour from empty rice krispie boxes (the latter *may not be true*).

Silverfish

Yeah, keep your arm under her butt and back legs, or you'll be flittered!

Rabbits, less Peter Rabbit, more General Woundwort.

humberklog

It looks like a tiny bit of poo on the centre of her foot....I'm going in....

Silverfish

Are you ok

How many stitches

Blink twice if the rabbit is holding you hostage

humberklog

It was a dried poo pellet right in the centre of her back paw!

They're funny things, I knew there was something up in that she hadn't been Binking, jumping onto couch or nosing about on her hind legs for a day or two. But nor was she limping or showing distress.

She was sprawled out (like in the pic) when I got in so could easily see the problem. And I think she could see me seeing it and got wary. She became protective of her foot (I don't think chasing her with a scissors helped much). Gave it a go trying to grab the foot a few times but didn't want to distress her too much so gave up.

This morning she kinda approached me (they've a very subtle physical language). Lots of hand licking and wanting her nose rubbed and she let me manoeuvre my hand under her paw and I was able to break it down with my fingers. She'd jump back now and again if it pinched but would approach me again after a minute or so.

Happy as now after milling a baby gem of lettuce.

Thanks for the advice!

AnimalRights

Cherry Blossom wrote: »

I actually had two Netherland dwarfs, two sisters from the same litter. One had to go in the vets for a week and when she came back the two of them suddenly hated the sight of each other. Despite my best efforts to rebond them, I was never able to leave them alone together again after that.

Gerbils are the same.

murphf

Well handled with her foot! We are a small animal boarding facility and we offer a bonding service .. as others have said , it’s very difficult to get two rabbits to accept each other as they are territorial but so worth it as there is not much nicer than seeing two buns snuggling and grooming each other! It’s ideal if you are out all day as you don’t worry they have no company and really is the best solution for most rabbits.
It really isn’t much more work to have two (except for poo obviously) if they are together , two cages is more work which is why a lot of people use our service .. as they didn’t sign up for two rabbits that don’t get on and have to be kept separate all the time!

That being said, a lot of bunnies are very happy on their own if they have lots of attention and free run. And yours certainly looks very happy from your pic so do what’s best for you

Here’s two we bonded recently .. just for the aw factor!!

jellybear

We had one French lop bunny and introduced a friend who, unbeknownst to us or the rescue we got her from, was pregnant!! We ended up with 7 altogether and seeing them cuddle up together was just so lovely. Our lop, Benny was so gentle and really loved his little companion Joon and I have to say he was unreal with the 5 babies. We sadly lost Benny and 4 of Joon's little ones but we still have Joon and one of her little girls and they are such great company for each other. Will attach a few pics for the cuteness factor

humberklog

So all's going great with the bunny. She was even back with her original owner for 2 weeks in Feb while I was on holiday. No problems at all.

But here's a thing...I got in last night to find some wetness below her right eye. Her left eye is fine. I dried it, cleaned the area and had a good look. Amazingly she let me do it. I did the same today before and after work. The wetness seems to come and go but it is more often than not.

The rabbit has come to me when called and happily rests in place while I'm inspecting and cleaning her eye. She makes a quick (but quiet) grind of her teeth (a kind of click) when I'm doing this. I believe that's either a show of affection or a display of pain/discomfort. I think it's the latter in this case.

Here she is before I cleaned her up, the area looks worse on camera but it's is only matted moisture on her fur...


I had already planned to take her to the vets (Coolock, in the pet shop beside Lidl) this week to have her nails done and ears checked. But I was curious to ask here if eye problems were a general issue with rabbits? are there preventions or best practice to avoid them and should I be making more haste to a vets?

The rabbit is in great form, sociable, eating like a small horse and bopping about. The white area of the eye isn't discoloured (in comparison with her other eye) but I do get the impression she's in a little discomfort. She's not worringly over scratching the area.

The question: Is eye problems a common thingy? Does this look like something to worry about immediately? Has anyone dealt with this before?

murphf

humberklog wrote: »

So all's going great with the bunny. She was even back with her original owner for 2 weeks in Feb while I was on holiday. No problems at all.

But here's a thing...I got in last night to find some wetness below her right eye. Her left eye is fine. I dried it, cleaned the area and had a good look. Amazingly she let me do it. I did the same today before and after work. The wetness seems to come and go but it is more often than not.

The rabbit has come to me when called and happily rests in place while I'm inspecting and cleaning her eye. She makes a quick (but quiet) grind of her teeth (a kind of click) when I'm doing this. I believe that's either a show of affection or a display of pain/discomfort. I think it's the latter in this case.

Here she is before I cleaned her up, the area looks worse on camera but it's is only matted moisture on her fur...


I had already planned to take her to the vets (Coolock, in the pet shop beside Lidl) this week to have her nails done and ears checked. But I was curious to ask here if eye problems were a general issue with rabbits? are there preventions or best practice to avoid them and should I be making more haste to a vets?

The rabbit is in great form, sociable, eating like a small horse and bopping about. The white area of the eye isn't discoloured (in comparison with her other eye) but I do get the impression she's in a little discomfort. She's not worringly over scratching the area.

The question: Is eye problems a common thingy? Does this look like something to worry about immediately? Has anyone dealt with this before?

Eye issues like this can be a number of things such as a blocked tear duct , something in the eye or that has scratched the eye like a piece of hay, and also back teeth issues. Is your vet rabbit savvy ? Because a lot of them aren’t .. they unfortunately don’t get much training on rabbits in vet school and have to do extra courses if they are interested in it ... there is a great rabbit savvy vet called Jennifer in anicare Palmerstown vet if you need a recommendation. Let us know how you get on!

humberklog

^^^ Yeah personally my money's on a scratched eye from hay (personal experience with a scratched retina:)).

Dunno if the vets are particularly bunny savvy but they neutered her and I was very happy with the after service and general set up.

humberklog

It's now looking like it's now in both eyes this morning.

Doctors room ghost

Could you keep a hare in a rabbit house if a lad caught one.would they eat a grain of rabbit food with a crunch of grass.if you got one young could you tame it.just wondering out of curiosity

DBB

Doctors room ghost wrote: »

Could you keep a hare in a rabbit house if a lad caught one.would they eat a grain of rabbit food with a crunch of grass.if you got one young could you tame it.just wondering out of curiosity

It's illegal to catch and confine a wild animal in Ireland unless you're licensed to do so.
Pet rabbits are domesticated and have been for centuries, and as such are more genetically inclined to tolerate human proximity. Hares are not. They are wild animals, and proximity to humans is terrifying for them, no matter what age they are.

humberklog

Miraculously cleared up by yesterday evening. Bringing to vets to have her nails done tomorrow weather permitting so they can have a check over her.

Silverfish

Did you get her to a ver in the end?

I'd be worried it's her teeth - when buns start having teeth problems the bills can rack up.

My bunny rabbit has clocked up 1200 euro in vet bills since december, started with teeth problems and went from there.

humberklog

Silverfish wrote: »

Did you get her to a ver in the end?

I'd be worried it's her teeth - when buns start having teeth problems the bills can rack up.

My bunny rabbit has clocked up 1200 euro in vet bills since december, started with teeth problems and went from there.

Not yet with the weather they were closed. But hoping to this Thursday.

humberklog

Back from the vets. All went well. Teeth are excellent and no infection in her eyes.
The watering of her eyes had become more brief and sporadic, clear tears and really only noticeable from mild hair matting below the eyes.

I had been using a regular brand of hay (Grune Natur (anybody else's German get better after getting a rabbit?)) but about 2 weeks ago I bought a different brand (Nature's Goodness from Dealz).
This brand had Tomothe(?) and marigold and other dried flower heads mixed in with the grass. I only put it in one hay bin and noticed she didn't touch it. 2 days after that her eyes started acting up. As a hay fever sufferer myself I put 2+2 together and dumped the hay.

The vet today asked was there a change of hay/bedding and she thinks the reaction may well have been simply from the hay. Top that with needing nails clipped that made her scratching/grooming the area more troublesome. She gave me some drops in case it happens again and I'll be more choosey in hay selection.

Proud bunny parent moment when vet said she is "obviously a very well cared for rabbit. Clean, healthy and confident":D.
Nails clipped, a good look over and drops all came to 60quid.

Here's a thing though- moulting. The rabbits moulting and I'd love to get in and give her a good grooming but she only lets me do bits now and again. Which doesn't finish the job and spreads the work (hair) around. I've looked up on line tips but really I find them a bit useless. They grab there rabbits or lift them up or the rabbit just stays in place. Mine won't have that at all at all.
The vet did say I just need to be more assertive and physical and she is right.

Has anyone any tips on giving a rabbit a good thorough grooming?

jellybear

Great to hear she's doing so well!

You could try the grooming gloves so that she feels it's more of a stroke/pet than a brush if you know what I mean. Like this....

humberklog

Tried them Jellybean, a big no:pac:.

At the moment I use a grooming brush or a damp sock on my hand or just my hand. The problem mostly is that she just doesn't want it done for any prolonged length of time. 5-10 minutes at most. She'd happily be petted for days on end but when she knows I'm up to something she scoots away, sometimes doing the ol' kick dirt in my face "bink you!".

I know there's a hypnotic state you can get them into by lying them on their back but I'd need Derren Brown to get her into that position.

Gonna be more forceful with her this evening.

Silverfish

I've to do it with Lola, she attacks me and the brush when she sees it coming
I hide the brush up my sleeve, pet her for a while, lull her in to a false sense of security, then sliiiiide the brush out and give her a good brush down without her seeing it.

Important to use a soft brush with buns, they have different fur to cats & dogs and their skin is more sensitive or something.

I don't recommend lying them on their back - it's actually a fear paralysis. I'd imagine they'd be a bit murdery when they're back right side up.

humberklog

Yeah Silverfish, not mad on the idea of picking them up or lying on their back and she's not keen on it either...to the point that she simply wouldn't let me.

I've a soft brush and as you do it is much the same as I do at the moment, maybe that's just the was it is. I can get good clumps when she's eating too especially if it's a fresh bowl of food.

She's just up from her day napping now and is like a brand new bunny. Even as she's grooming her face just now she looks much more comfortable. I probably left her nails about 2 weeks overdue. I'll be more aware next time.

murphf

Great she is doing better! All you can do with the grooming is what you are already doing, a bit at a time ideally when she is distracted some buns will eventually get used to it, some won’t, but she will be more comfortable when it’s done