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Forum THE LOUNGE Need a little help. Didn’t know where to ask.

  • This topic has 121sd replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 7 years ago by roy.
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    • roy
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        Ok a few days ago, I found this uninvited guest scampering around my garden. Since this lone trooper wasn’t owned by any of the neighbors, I can only surmise it[he/she] may have run off from wherever it may have been or perhaps jumped from the cage of a passing rabbit seller[dunno].

        Thing is, in my part of the world animal welfares are not profoundly established. So if I let it go, it may well end up either preyed by eagles which are plenty in my neighborhood, or the odd snake or under a car or on someone’s dinner plate.

        That said, I was hoping there was something I could do. I can take care of it but wouldn’t know where to start and none of my neighbors are that keen either. Heck, I don’t even know which breed of rabbit this is or its probable age.

        Anybody can help me?

        P.S. Im more of a fish, bird and garden guy and have little to no experience handling mammals.


      • SeeShmemilyPlay
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          You said you’re willing to care for it? I’d do that until you could find another home for them! If you don’t want to go out and get a cage or a pen for the bun to live in, it’s pretty easy adjusting a home to be bunny-proof. Just give the guy a litterbox or two and put all of his hay and food in it– that’s by far the easiest way to litterbox train. Make sure all of your cords are covered with cable covers. If you have shaggy carpet, though, I’d limit their space that has hardwood or tile floor, or get a big, cheap rug and get a pen to surround the area. Buns need timothy hay available to them at all times, but not alfalfa hay. Pellets aren’t a super important part of the diet– it’s the hay and vegetables that are. Romaine is a safe bet. Just use a ceramic bowl for water. Get them a cardboard box or two for playing, and some light, tossable items like baby keys or willow stick balls. Never pick the bun up unless it’s for nail trimming, which they need every 3-4 months. If possible, take the bun to an exotic animal vet just to get checked over since it’s been outside on its own for a while. Good luck, and thanks for rescuin a bun!


        • roy
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            Well, it seems it’s stuck with my birds, fish and me for the near future since no one in my vicinity nor those I know are overly keen on adopting it.

            Like I said before Im a newborn when it comes to mammals. Terms like hay, bunny proof[for it or me?], pellets[what pellets? I know Hikari fish pellets], Romaine pellets[???] are alien to me… never heard of ’em. Did a bit of grovelling on the net. Didn’t help much. Got confused even more. People suggested feeding it lettuce, cucumbers, spinach, parsley, carrots yada yada. Some suggested if I have to handle it, I should lift it by its ears as its safer. Dunno know about the last one, but if anyone tried lifting me by my ears, I’d bunny-kick their face

            Regarding vets. Did some digging, as it turns out, Most cater to dogs and at times, with cats. Will they work with rabbits?[Called one, he sounded unsure and asked to seek help with a vet about 70km from where I live]

            I’ll see if I’m allowed to post some pics for guidance, but I guess Ill need more assistance along the way.

            As for the rescuing… no need to thank me. No critter dies on MY watch. Just that I never had the opportunity to handle animals – much less a rabbit.

            What breed is it?

            How old?

            ↓ Same spot where I found it. Where it saw me, it scampered off and hid behind one of those flower pots.

            Found a temporary basket for it to lodge in[at night]. Been 3 days now. whenever I happen to pet its back, curls into a ball and flattens its ears along its back.


          • roy
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              Oh, regarding the water, its not had water since I found it, it eats and poos all day though. I decided to sprinkle water in the veggies that I feed it which is currently a little of all that I mentioned in the previous post. Another interesting fact about it is, it doesn’t eat the same food continuously. If Im giving it parsley today, tomorrow at least for the first half, the parsley will just lay there untouched. I gave it some peas and it gobbled them up. Later it seemed to like the spinach too. Then today it stopped eating peas or spinach and is continuing with the parsley. Is that supposed to be normal, I thought I was the only one who did that in the household? Even my discus love nothing more than beef heart and more beef heart and just beef heart all year long.


            • Roberta
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                Have you been able to get hay Roy ? Oaten will be fine.
                There is red discolouration on the buns side, any idea what that is ?
                Persevere with the water, it might just take a while to get used to the bowl.
                Baby looks terrified in the first photo and it seems to be peeing, I wonder if that red mark is from lost litter mates. It’s also possible it has escaped from a meat farm(would also explain the red mark if it had a very lucky escape) which would explain it’s fear of human contact and lack of proper eating and drinking skills. It is probably used to breeder pellets and a water bottle hooked to a wire cage.
                Breed, possibly New Zealand White and only very young.


              • Roberta
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                  Also if you go to the top of this page and click on the bunny info tab it has a lot of information regarding food, shelter etc.


                • Roberta
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                    Age; Without something for scale I would say he or she has only just weaned and would not be more than 10 or 12 weeks old, quite possibly a few weeks younger 6-8 weeks given she/he still has kitten fluff.


                  • Roberta
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                      OK, 6 weeks old, just.
                      It’s been a while since my rescues were babies so I had to look back to some photo’s.
                      Definitely New Zealand White. Poor baby. It’s going to take a little time to gain babies trust.


                    • Roberta
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                        Poor little mite really should be having Mum’s milk. Do you have a local stock feeders or farm supply where you could get some milk supplement ?


                      • Roberta
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                          As to lifting, place a hand under their bum or bottom, and hold them close to you supporting their back and feet.
                          Pellets for rabbits should be available at your pet store or stock feeder, if you advise what town or region you are in someone nearby might know a store in the area.


                        • roy
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                            Not to worry about the discoloration. Its from one of my freshly paint pots. lol.

                            About the hay… dunno will have to go online. Do you get that at local pet stores? Read somewhere here that horse fodder will do? Googled Oaten hay, immediately Victoria, Queensland and Balco came up. Is that exclusive to Australia?

                            Regarding the shelter, I was thinking of wiring up an old birds’ cage to keep predators away and setting it outside with a roof to keep the rain away, while at the same time leaving the bottom unwired for it to burrow if it needs to. Will that be okay?

                            This area can be cleared and would be around 10′ X 2.5′ long. Should be ample moving space when confined at night. 

                            For some reason it likes to munch on the glossy and waxed leaves more than the cactus-like Aloe Vera. But it has a special taste for dry, dead twigs.


                          • Roberta
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                              Horse hay is usually oaten hay, so yes it’s fine.
                              The dry twigs will be bunny looking for fibre that she would get from hay and pellets to a degree. Just be careful, some plants can be very bad and if she is used to being confined to a small cage since birth she might not make the best food choices and could end up with diarhhea and gut issues. An outside shelter should be fine but be wary of heat, they can’t handle high temperatures but you can counter that with frozen water bottles and a fan. They do house train very well, you could keep her inside and restrict access with barriers. Most bunnies will use a cat litter tray filled with hay.


                            • roy
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                                What milk supplements, Roberta? For human consumption? High fat/low fat?

                                Kolkata, West Bengal, India


                              • roy
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                                  Heat will be an issue I had overlooked. But Im sure I can figure something out. The reason I wanted to house it outside is so that it could have a space it would call its own without being bothered to be trained on where it may or may not venture.. Surely that wouldn’t be such a bad idea? I’d just have to think of something for 2-3 months during May, June and July before the rains come in and it gets cooler.


                                • Roberta
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                                    Goats milk is OK for buns. It’s a bit richer.
                                    Hay wise I will have to check online to see what your nearest equivalent to oaten hay is.


                                  • Roberta
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                                      https://dir.indiamart.com/search.mp…cq=Kolkata

                                      Looks like horse fodder there is timothy hay.


                                    • Roberta
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                                      • Roberta
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                                          To battle the heat you may be able to use the area to advantage…. I will see what I can find in illustrations of warm climate rabbitats.


                                        • roy
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                                            Epic! This is what happens with experience in a particular field. The ‘where-to-look-and-for-what’ comes naturally!

                                            Thanks

                                            Regarding the milk, if you can give me specifics like protein, fat %age, nutritional values, I can maybe look up the local dairy to find the closest best.


                                          • roy
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                                              Like other rodents, Don’t they burrow underground to beat the heat?


                                            • roy
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                                                Umm… I know p3t$RKing$. Not totally reliable. Had been there to buy stuff for my fish about a year back…long story short, would not recommend.


                                              • roy
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                                                  Also how should I get that would last say, a week or maybe 2, if its supposed to stay fresh?


                                                • Azerane
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                                                    Yes rabbits do burrow to beat the heat, but it may or may not be something you want to discourage. Rabbits are not actually rodents.

                                                    You have some great guidance already. Hay is the most important aspect of the diet at this stage, any type of grass hay: oaten, timothy, wheaten, orchard grass, meadow hay etc will be good, the most important part is that he gets it. Horse feed/quality hay is good as long as it’s not alfalfa hay.

                                                    I personally think you’re better off staying away from the milk at this point, I suspect it’s more likely to do harm than good. Hay is the most important.

                                                    Hay should be fed in unlimited amounts, meaning some should always be available to eat. A bowl of water should always be available too. Greens like the ones you are feeding are good. As a basic guide you can feed cos/romaine lettuce, bok choy, coriander/cilantro, silverbeet, kale. Peas aren’t suitable, neither is corn, or potatoes. If you’re looking at pellets, look at something like this: https://www.petsworld.in/zupreem-rabbits-pellet-food-5lbs-2-26-kg.html as opposed to a brand that is like muesli with seeds and other bits in it which are unhealthy.


                                                  • roy
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                                                      Yeah about the help so far, one word – EPIC!

                                                      I think I’ll order the hay online if there isn’t a horse stable nearby.

                                                      An honest question: Are the pellets absolutely necessary? If not, maybe I can stick with the veggies, fruits and hay for now since I moved my fish to a 75g tank few weeks back and upgraded the filter to an Eheim 250 and almost struggling. But at the same time, want to make sure the guest isn’t underfed nor malnutritioned.


                                                    • Azerane
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                                                        As a younger rabbit he’s probably better with pellets just to make sure he has all the nutrients he needs, but pellets aren’t necessary. Many are very healthy on a hay and veggie diet, you just have to make sure to provide a wide variety of greens to ensure they’re getting a wide array of nutrients. Don’t worry about fruits, they are considered a treat food due to high sugar content, the same for carrots.

                                                        Also be aware that introducing too many new foods at once can cause stomach issues, such as gas which can lead to GI stasis (potentially fatal if not recognised and treated). Hay is an exception, you can offer that in unlimited amounts straight away. But just take care with trying too many different types of veggies at once, and only try to introduce one new one at a time over a course of several days to a week. Rabbits are hind-gut fermenters, kind of like horses, so too many new foods can cause an imbalance in the bacteria in their gut which leads to the gas and potentially GI stasis. Stasis is probably the most common cause of death for pet rabbits, partly just from the nature of it, and partly from people who don’t know to look out for it or provide incorrect diet.

                                                        http://myhouserabbit.com/rabbit-health/gi-stasis-in-rabbits-a-deadly-condition/

                                                        Also what were you asking about staying fresh? The hay? If kept out of the sun and rain, hay stays good for a long time. If it gets wet, it goes mouldy. Some people keep their hay indoors, I keep mine outside but undercover and stored in a timber box. You can keep it in a plastic tub, but it will need ventilation as the little bit of moisture still in the hay can make it sweat in plastic which will lead to it getting wet and going mouldy.


                                                      • Roberta
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                                                          Hay should keep a couple of months if stored correctly. I would definitely get some pellets too for now.


                                                        • Roberta
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                                                            Pellets just give 1/4 to 1/3 of a cup per day.


                                                          • roy
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                                                              About introducing greens over a period of time, like I mentioned in a previous post, the little fellow stops eating a particular green that I’m feeding it. To elaborate on that a bit more to exemplify, day 1 when I chanced upon it, I fed it parsley throughout which it readily gobbled up. However, next day for over six hours, the parsley remained there till I offered it some peas and spinach. Then today it refused the spinach for about 3 hours since morning[it was kept there overnight and it didn’t touch it] till I reverted to the parsley.

                                                              Regarding storage, I read about finding the odd cricket or grasshopper in the bale, but other than that is the hay prone to pest attacks? Like insects and/or rats?

                                                              I truly apologize in being a pest myself for asking so many tiring questions. Its just that I like to research on every inch of the bridge that Im about to tread, beforehand, down to the last rivet.

                                                              Another reason being, when and if I do find an owner for the crit in future, Im able to establish they will be able to take care of it before I complete the handover since here, there are no adoption paperwork involved for animals. Just a verbal chat over coffee[sometimes less – a simply nod and carry]. So considering the second point please bear with my ruthlessness on asking boring and tedious questions(hats off to brave Roberta and Azerane on that).


                                                            • Azerane
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                                                                We love bunnies, so your questions aren’t boring or tedious. I think it’s fantastic to see someone new to rabbits taking so much of an interest in their correct care

                                                                Yes, the odd insect in a bale of hay isn’t unusual. Not sure what insects you commonly have there, but I would avoid storing the bale directly on the ground because that seems to invite earwigs. Mice can be a problem depending on the type of hay you have, anything with lots of cereal seed heads like a wheaten or sometimes oaten hay can attract mice. Which is why I store mine in a wooden box. The lid of the box has seals around it, but I installed a couple of mesh vents in the sides of the box so that there was still air flow to the hay. Stops anything but the smallest insects getting in and protects from mice too


                                                              • jerseygirl
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                                                                  I truly apologize in being a pest myself for asking so many tiring questions. Its just that I like to research on every inch of the bridge that Im about to tread, beforehand, down to the last rivet.

                                                                  Please, never apologise for that! Thank you for taking this rabbit in and taking the time to learn about its care.

                                                                  I think the example of hay Roberta posted a picture of would be good for a rabbit this age. If it is in fact a combination of alfalfa and Timothy hay. The alfalfa is richer and offers more protein which is good for growing rabbits or if pellets are not available. It’s a little to rich for adult rabbits. The Timothy in it would get it used to a grass hay which it could continue to eat throughout its life.
                                                                  In the meantime, if you have grass growing nearby, give it plenty of that. Also leaves and twigs are a great source of fibre. What sort of trees do you have growing locally? Willow is a big favourite with rabbits. Also apple or pear leaves and twigs are good.

                                                                  It would be good to allow some burrowing to beat the heat but how would you stop it from escaping completely or something else burrowing in?
                                                                  Do you have predators there that dig?


                                                                • roy
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                                                                    Apple, pear, raspberry and gooseberry fruits are sold in the market, but leaves and twigs… Other than that, I have a vegetable garden growing in my compound. A papaya tree, a guava tree, bael fruit tree(Aegle marmelos), tomatoes, the occasional mustard or coriander or mint herbs, capsicum or bell pepper, other than various flowering plants and various shrubs.like Bryophyllum Pinnatum which the rabbit absolutely gormandized on when I once let him loose, and yes grass… lots of it. Though presumably the grass that grows here will be different to the grass that grows in Australia due to climatic variations. There used to be plenty more, however once my neighbor passed, his house and vis-a-vis his part of the garden fell into ruin, literally, which leads me to your next question.

                                                                    Yes predators are galore. Since the ruin covers a large area, its over run by snakes. To combat the infestation, soon an army of mongoose established its colonies followed by hovering hawks looking for a quick snack of either the baby mongooses or snakes[There was a time when I’d be overly happy to find a baby snake as that would mean a snack for my larger fish or the parakeet I had].

                                                                    So a rabbit will make a tasty one time meal for any of the three which is the reason I never let it out unattended in the garden. The very fact that it made it to my house unscathed is in itself laudable.

                                                                    About the digging, I had intended to build the mesh cage around the concrete like barricading a flower pot around the edges. That way the critter can still burrow inside the cage if it wants to whilst being safe from any predators.


                                                                  • Roberta
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                                                                      You will need to make it inaccessible to mice and rats. They like hay to nest in.


                                                                    • roy
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                                                                        Posted By Roberta on 2/16/2017 9:34 AM

                                                                        You will need to make it inaccessible to mice and rats. They like hay to nest in.

                                                                        (found the quote button)

                                                                        Thats the easiest part.

                                                                        Ppl keep mentioning ‘bunnyproof’. Is that to protect me or the bunnies? I read about the pen being made bunny proof.


                                                                      • sarahthegemini
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                                                                          Bunny proofing is to protect the bunny Cover wires and cords, any little gaps they might get stuck under/behind, that sort of thing.

                                                                          I think it’s amazing how dedicated you are!


                                                                        • roy
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                                                                            Posted By sarahthegemini on 2/16/2017 11:14 AM

                                                                            Bunny proofing is to protect the bunny Cover wires and cords, any little gaps they might get stuck under/behind, that sort of thing.

                                                                            I think it’s amazing how dedicated you are!

                                                                            Makes sense. In a manner of speaking, bunny proofing is for both parties.

                                                                            Like I said before:

                                                                            As for the rescuing… no need to thank me. No critter dies on MY watch. Just that I never had the opportunity to handle animals – much less a rabbit.

                                                                            One suggestion from my end:

                                                                            Never jump to any opinion – good or bad. In my 6 years associated with various aquatic forums, I’ve seen ppl blast into the scene, all guns blazing. Then they disappear without a trace. All their enthusiasm dissipated after a few months. All the gallons of water to be changed every week… Im sure they had their own valid reasons…


                                                                          • Alfreds minion
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                                                                              I think you should keep your bun away from the Bryophyllum pinnatum, according to Wikipedia it can cause cardiac poisoning in grazing animals. Unfortunately rabbits don’t really know what’s good for them.

                                                                              Yes bunny proofing is very much about protecting your possessions as well as your bunny!

                                                                              He/she sounds a bit like my bun Alfred. Alfred doesn’t like too much of any kind of vegetable, even his favourites. I’ll buy, say, a lettuce and feed it to him one day for about a third of his daily veg allowance, then the next day he doesn’t want any more lettuce, he’s had enough! I don’t have any easy solutions, but what I do is feed as much variety of greens as I can. He gets about 8 kinds a day at the moment, which means he doesn’t get that much of any one thing, and so generally eats at least most of his veg. I’m not suggesting you need to feed that many kinds, just that feeding as much variety as you can realistically manage is a good idea.
                                                                              Anyway if your bun is going to be finicky about eating his greens it probably is important that he gets some pellets, even if you cannot immediately afford them.

                                                                              Your bun is so cute!  He/she needs a name.


                                                                            • roy
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                                                                                Posted By Alfreds minion on 2/16/2017 11:26 PM

                                                                                I think you should keep your bun away from the Bryophyllum pinnatum, according to Wikipedia it can cause cardiac poisoning in grazing animals. Unfortunately rabbits don’t really know what’s good for them.

                                                                                OMG! Thanks for letting me know.

                                                                                He/she sounds a bit like my bun Alfred. Alfred doesn’t like too much of any kind of vegetable, even his favourites. I’ll buy, say, a lettuce and feed it to him one day for about a third of his daily veg allowance, then the next day he doesn’t want any more lettuce, he’s had enough! I don’t have any easy solutions, but what I do is feed as much variety of greens as I can. He gets about 8 kinds a day at the moment, which means he doesn’t get that much of any one thing, and so generally eats at least most of his veg. I’m not suggesting you need to feed that many kinds, just that feeding as much variety as you can realistically manage is a good idea.

                                                                                Yeah! That’s exactly what it does.Today it just had a few pieces of parsley in the morn’. But so far hasn’t eaten anything else. Will try with a few apple or banana pieces to kick-start things.

                                                                                Your bun is so cute!  He/she needs a name.

                                                                                Thanks…regarding the ‘he/she’, did some digging but ended up pretty confused so I just let it go for now as it may not be all that important.


                                                                              • roy
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                                                                                  On a sightly different note, I’ve read bunnies bite if irritated or displeased.Not that I’ve been bitten – not yet. I’ve been bitten by a 2 inch mouse once and the thing almost took a tiny chunk out of my thumb. Left me bleeding. Does bunny bites break your skin or cause injury?

                                                                                  Also are they prone to fleas or any particular pest?


                                                                                • Azerane
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                                                                                    They certainly can bite. Mostly as a prey animal they’re not overly inclined to bite (unlike mice which tend to be a little more bold). In most cases, rabbits will give a gentle nip which doesn’t break the skin if they are trying to tell you something and you’re not listening or if they don’t like your hand approaching them etc. Unless the particular rabbit is inclined to be very defensive of their space or aggressive, you shouldn’t get a proper bite from a rabbit. A more annoyed bite from a rabbit may bruise but won’t break skin, but a truly aggressive bite will break skin. However most rabbits simply don’t do this.

                                                                                    Rabbits can certainly get fleas, although fur mites seem to be more common (they can be carried in hay). Many people don’t give preventative treatment and only treat when they notice fleas or mites on their rabbit. If you do use a flea treatment or similar, never use Fipronil (such as Frontline brand) as it kills rabbits. With outdoor rabbits there are concerns of fly strike (when a fly lays their eggs around a rabbit’s bottom and the maggots burrow into the skin). Fly strike is very dangerous but easily avoided with a clean cage and correct diet ensuring your rabbit doesn’t get poop stuck to his/her butt which is when flies are most attracted. I’m not really sure what vaccines you have available or if the diseases are common and require vaccination where you live, but myxomatosis and calicivirus are spread by biting insects such as flies as mosquitoes, both are fatal. Otherwise of course if you have foxes or or similar predators that roam around, you will need to be sure bunny is safe from them (I think you mentioned hawks?)


                                                                                  • Boston's Mama
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                                                                                      Not sure if it has been mentioned yet but since bunny is young I wouldn’t feed it fruit – they are prone to gas ( stasis ) and it can be very quickly deadly- like in hours. I recommend reading up on this and it’s causes asap so you know what to look for and before that don’t introduce anything new to what you have already in regards to veges
                                                                                      Certain veges and fruits shouldn’t be given before 6 months old rabbits are sensitive to diet changes

                                                                                      Pellets are just a small part of their diet when they are over 6months old but babies need more. if you can get oxbow young rabbit food where you are i recommend that – and to feed it unlimited until for about 3 months from now since unsure of buns age- then limit it to the package guidelines

                                                                                      Hay is really important – its most of their diet
                                                                                      Alfalfa hay is great when babies if you can get it where you are – then Timothy’s hay when over 6 months. I can’t get either where I am and meadow hay has been fine for my guy.


                                                                                    • roy
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                                                                                        (I think you mentioned hawks?)

                                                                                        Yes, hawks and eagles, both.

                                                                                        Maybe something bad was about to happen just now that was prevented. 2 cats climbed over the front gate and landed inside the indoor garden where the bunny was. It saw them and scampered off to hide between the flower pots[3rd pic page 1]. I had just gone inside to get some parsley when I heard one of them meowing. I rushed out to find both of them circling the bun. I don’t know if cats attack/eat rabbits or not, but nonetheless, I shooed them away. Are cats a threat?


                                                                                      • Boston's Mama
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                                                                                          Yes cats are a threat , I have my bunny inside yet the neighbourhood tom cats often come to my window looking for him
                                                                                          They can scratch them or bite and rabbits skin is very sensitive and breaks really easily
                                                                                          They also could pass fleas to bunny


                                                                                        • Boston's Mama
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                                                                                            It sounds like there are a lot of threats where you are ( just read through all the posts) and heat will be a issue – ontop of the fact he is probably going to take awhile to trust
                                                                                            Is there any way you can have him / her inside? You don’t have to have him free range inside (it’s not always suitable – mine isn’t , a cage with a puppy pen off it or a penned in area is suitable ) it will keep bunny safe from predators and heat and will also make it less stressed faster as it will learn to trust you quicker the more time it has with you around
                                                                                            If it’s really not a option I would say get a cage outdoors sorted as fast as poss to protect him

                                                                                            Make sure half of it has great shade – and a hidey house ( you can use terracotta pot on its side , make a wooden box big enough for her/ him to fit in , there are a lot of cheap options or you may even have something around home suitable – have a play on Google for diy hidey house for bunny ideas


                                                                                          • roy
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                                                                                              Okay, eagles, hawks, mongoose, snakes, now cats[stray dogs.. probably]. Is there anything that is NOT a predator? I have all of them in the neighborhood.

                                                                                              Its not cuz of space constraints that I want it to be outside. But rather, all animals in their natural state are free roaming. Since I have a bit of space, I want it to be as free roaming as is possible.

                                                                                              I’ll be gone now for a couple of hours. Remembered there used to be a stable for horses where granny used to live. Hopefully if its still there. In which case I should get the hay from there[may also be cheaper if I get it from them

                                                                                              ]


                                                                                            • Azerane
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                                                                                                Yes hay is usually much cheaper from horse stables.

                                                                                                And yes, cats are definitely a threat. Many people think rabbits are too big for cats to want to chase/attack but growing up I had a cat that frequently used to hunt and bring back full grown wild rabbits to the house. My best suggestion for you is to have a secure pen or run that you can lock the rabbit in (secure roof and floor so that nothing can jump/climb in or dig in underneath) and then let it out when you are around to supervise. Something like this or any variation of that still offers plenty of space http://www.rabbit-hutches.co.uk/images/Hideaway-with-run/hideaway-with-new-large-run2.png if you don’t have a lot of rabbit runs available chicken coops and runs are suitable alternatives. You might also be able to buy cat deterrent sprays like we can here.


                                                                                              • roy
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                                                                                                  https://www.pegasushealth.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/474418395.jpg

                                                                                                  This is the hay or straw that horses get to eat here.

                                                                                                  While searching, I came across some information that bunnies may be offered Bermuda hay[’Dhruv’ grass is used during religious ceremonies] too. That is available, but since people may an exorbitant amount for even a pinch of it which is used, the desired quantity is almost impossible to get.

                                                                                                  Asked around with some people who kept rabbits. They all said they fed their rabbits from rice[yeah], bread, cabbages to virtually everything…. and none of them lived beyond 1 1/2 to 2 years tops.

                                                                                                  The only timothy hay thats available seems to be on the link that Roberta sent. Will ring then up tomorrow. Hope they have some in stock left. If possible, anyone reading this can give me any alternatives to timothy[as many as possible].


                                                                                                • roy
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                                                                                                    Today it was acting a bit weird like jumping all over the place 

                                                                                                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUJsOtjHiZc

                                                                                                    but later it became very quiet, hiding under the sofa, curled up like a ball. It stayed that way for about an hour. Then it came out and started acting like crazy again. Later again it crept back under the sofa and remained curled up for a good amount of time.

                                                                                                    Initially I thought it could be cuz of the tv playing too loud and also because there were quite a few visitors at home[no kids though who would go after it]. But then I realized it had not pooed for over 3 hours. Its eating the greens, but only a few leaves at a time. Now its sleeping and still no poo in the litter. Is that normal? I did read up on GI stasis, but is it something I should concern myself on at this juncture?

                                                                                                    On a different note, I also observed it scratching its mouth or nose quite often today. Is that an okay sign?


                                                                                                  • roy
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                                                                                                      My best suggestion for you is to have a secure pen or run that you can lock the rabbit in (secure roof and floor so that nothing can jump/climb in or dig in underneath) and then let it out when you are around to supervise.

                                                                                                      I let in out supervised at least for 4 hours in a day.

                                                                                                      if you don’t have a lot of rabbit runs available chicken coops and runs are suitable alternatives. You might also be able to buy cat deterrent sprays like we can here.

                                                                                                      There aren’t any cat deterrents available here. When cats become intolerable pests, people usually resort to poisoning them or whack them with sticks which leads to many cats dying due to broken backs. Basically the legal system and animal welfare or RSPCA do not work in conjugation to each other. Animal rescue guys will attempt to treat the animal after the deed has been done. Remember my first post? A big reason I cannot let the animal on its own. At least one out of seven people will think of eating it.


                                                                                                    • Luna's Mom
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                                                                                                        That just means he/she is happy. The first time Luna did that I thought she was having a seisure. I got right on google to find out what was going on with her. I ended up with Luna because my daughter who is away at her first year in college was bunny sitting for her roomate and was caught by the advisor with her in the room. I was only supposed to keep her until the roommate came back, she decided she didn’t want her if she couldn’t keep her in the dorm. I decided she had been through enough, so I’d figure things out (without this forum I would have been so lost) and haven’t looked back since. I know you may seem overwhelmed but once you get a routine going and get the bunnie settled it’s all worth it! I still amazed how smart she is sometimes. Good Luck with your bunnie, I hope it all works out for you guys. Too many pets without homes these days.


                                                                                                      • roy
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                                                                                                          Posted By Luna’s Mom on 2/17/2017 7:44 PM

                                                                                                          …That just means he/she is happy. The first time Luna did that I thought she was having a seisure…

                                                                                                          Which one? The hiding, the crazy thing or scratching? I got the nutty thing on youtube..


                                                                                                        • Roberta
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                                                                                                            If you have some plain grass wash it well and offer her some of that. She may not be pooping due to lack of fibre or diet change. She could also be toiletting somewhere other than the tray.


                                                                                                          • Roberta
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                                                                                                              The hay will help. That horse hay looks fine. Boosting it with some alfafa will add nutrition.


                                                                                                            • roy
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                                                                                                                Posted By Roberta on 2/17/2017 8:04 PM

                                                                                                                The hay will help. That horse hay looks fine. Boosting it with some alfafa will add nutrition.

                                                                                                                So that brown straw will work with alfalfa? Thats great. I can get half a ton of that for free!

                                                                                                                BTW your siggy…. are all those yours?


                                                                                                              • Luna's Mom
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                                                                                                                  I watched the video, he/she is so cute. That’s how they show excitement by running and flipping around. One day my husband hollered to me, “Hey you better get in here, something is wrong she is in here going crazy!” I said no she’s not she’s just happy. They make really great pets. I live in Michigan and it’s really cold and when I was cleaning dog crap out of the yard with numb hands I wish I knew about bunnies being such good pets years ago!!


                                                                                                                • roy
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                                                                                                                    Ok its pooing today. But its limited. Not like it was before when I found it.Skipping the spinach for now and reverting to cabbage leaves.

                                                                                                                    BTW is it normal for a rabbit to stretch its arms and legs out like I do and lay its head on the side and [pretend to?]sleep? Must admit, at first I thought it was imitating me, got pretty vexed.


                                                                                                                  • Azerane
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                                                                                                                      I would honestly skip the cabbage leaves, cabbage is one of the veggies that commonly causes gas, gas pain in rabbits can lead to them not eating and as a result, not pooping.

                                                                                                                      Do you know when you’re getting the hay?


                                                                                                                    • roy
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                                                                                                                        Posted By Azerane on 2/18/2017 6:39 PM

                                                                                                                        I would honestly skip the cabbage leaves, cabbage is one of the veggies that commonly causes gas, gas pain in rabbits can lead to them not eating and as a result, not pooping.

                                                                                                                        Do you know when you’re getting the hay?

                                                                                                                        I checked with the guy. He said they all feed wheat straw mixed with some sort of husk to their cattle/horses. Timothy, Alfalfa, Oaten, Meadow.. practically any green hay is unknown here. Roberta sent me the links, and I tried calling them. No one has answered their phones, nor responded to the inquiries I sent so far. Moreover the website says they usually sell hay @ metric tonnes. Been searching for 2 days now. Hay at pet stores online charge an exorbitant amount for something that will probably not last me more than 5-7 days tops[around 20ausd for 12oz]. I’m at my wits end. I’ll be going to the docks tomorrow. Heard there’s a racing course in the vicinity. Hopefully will be lucky.

                                                                                                                        Search online with rabbit hay kolkata. So many rabbit owners have faced a similar predicament over this before.


                                                                                                                      • Luna's Mom
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                                                                                                                          Hi Roy, I think I read you are from India? I wonder if this would be something you can purchase?http://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/B01C1WAJMI/ref=pd_aw_sim_sbs_199_1/253-0368744-3802413?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=0NYP4QYVFCHA7QZA6S5W


                                                                                                                        • roy
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                                                                                                                            400gms? How long should that last me?


                                                                                                                          • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                                              Posted By roy on 2/16/2017 12:49 AM

                                                                                                                              Not to worry about the discoloration. Its from one of my freshly paint pots. lol.

                                                                                                                              rofl !!! 

                                                                                                                              Lucky bunny whatever his story… if it is a 100% NZ, you’re in for a treat – imagine a big cat – that’s the size s/he’ll become…


                                                                                                                            • roy
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                                                                                                                                Posted By Vienna Blue in France on 2/19/2017 12:18 PM

                                                                                                                                Posted By roy on 2/16/2017 12:49 AM

                                                                                                                                Not to worry about the discoloration. Its from one of my freshly paint pots. lol.

                                                                                                                                rofl !!! 

                                                                                                                                Lucky bunny whatever his story… if it is a 100% NZ, you’re in for a treat – imagine a big cat – that’s the size s/he’ll become…

                                                                                                                                Did some read up. Thats 12lbs if its a doe. 


                                                                                                                              • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                                                  This is the 12lb ‘blue’ version of yours….. 


                                                                                                                                • roy
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                                                                                                                                    Posted By Vienna Blue in France on 2/19/2017 1:13 PM

                                                                                                                                    This is the 12lb ‘blue’ version of yours….. 

                                                                                                                                    Do you shear them in summer or when and if it gets too warm?


                                                                                                                                  • Luna's Mom
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                                                                                                                                      Oh, that’s probably not such a hot but for you, sorry jumped the gun thinking the free shipping would be a good benefit. I ordered a 10 pound box of hay and have had Luna for almost 2 months and probably have about 2 weeks left. I will try to google some more and see if there is a better deal for you. If I converted it right it’s less than 1 pound of hay, so maybe you would get a week out of it depending on how much of a hay eater he/she is.


                                                                                                                                    • roy
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                                                                                                                                        Posted By Luna’s Mom on 2/19/2017 2:27 PM

                                                                                                                                        Oh, that’s probably not such a hot but for you, sorry jumped the gun thinking the free shipping would be a good benefit. I ordered a 10 pound box of hay and have had Luna for almost 2 months and probably have about 2 weeks left. I will try to google some more and see if there is a better deal for you. If I converted it right it’s less than 1 pound of hay, so maybe you would get a week out of it depending on how much of a hay eater he/she is.

                                                                                                                                        1 kilo = 2.2 pound

                                                                                                                                        1000 gms = 1 kilo

                                                                                                                                        400 gms @ ‎₹375

                                                                                                                                        Thats 0.88 pounds @ $8.00 AUD or $5.50 USD


                                                                                                                                      • Luna's Mom
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                                                                                                                                          I apologize if I sound stupid but I was reading on some other forums from India and they were saying they feed bermuda grass. Not sure if it’s just a type of lawn grass or something you can purchase. Wheat grass is also good for them if you have that available. Your garden area is very pretty. I purchased a few things from the uk and they were shipped to me some what reasonable shipping. Im not sure if that could be an option for you. It seems crazy you can’t get hay where you are, especially with the world wide web!! Its nuts how expensive it is, I paid $27 for 10 pounds of hay. I feel for you. I will keep trying to find something for you though.


                                                                                                                                        • roy
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                                                                                                                                            Posted By Luna’s Mom on 2/19/2017 3:12 PM

                                                                                                                                            I apologize if I sound stupid but I was reading on some other forums from India and they were saying they feed bermuda grass. Not sure if it’s just a type of lawn grass or something you can purchase. Wheat grass is also good for them if you have that available. Your garden area is very pretty. I purchased a few things from the uk and they were shipped to me some what reasonable shipping. Im not sure if that could be an option for you. It seems crazy you can’t get hay where you are, especially with the world wide web!! Its nuts how expensive it is, I paid $27 for 10 pounds of hay. I feel for you. I will keep trying to find something for you though.

                                                                                                                                            Actually it isn’t. I had already brought this up earlier. But researched that Bermuda hay is primarily used to feed Guinea pigs and that rabbits may or may not touch it. But bottomline, it serves the same purpose. ↓

                                                                                                                                            P.S Thats actually the indoor mini garden.

                                                                                                                                            Posted By roy on 2/17/2017 6:57 PM 

                                                                                                                                            …While searching, I came across some information that bunnies may be offered Bermuda hay[’Dhruv’ grass is used during religious ceremonies] too. That is available, but since people pay an exorbitant amount for even a pinch of it which is used, the desired quantity is pretty to get….


                                                                                                                                          • Luna's Mom
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                                                                                                                                              Very nice peaceful area to have. Nice place to have wine and relax! Your options seem to keep getting slimmer and slimmer. Is wheat grass available? You can grow that your self and it grows quickly. I tried to grow some for Luna but it kept getting mold! Its good for bunnies too.


                                                                                                                                            • roy
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                                                                                                                                                Posted By Luna’s Mom on 2/19/2017 3:55 PM

                                                                                                                                                Very nice peaceful area to have. Nice place to have wine and relax! Your options seem to keep getting slimmer and slimmer. Is wheat grass available? You can grow that your self and it grows quickly. I tried to grow some for Luna but it kept getting mold! Its good for bunnies too.

                                                                                                                                                On the contrary, I’d like to believe my options getting better! 

                                                                                                                                                In India online stores and services are relatively new. Which means many people are not tech savvy and prefer the old fashioned way, which spells one thing – non-online stores[if that’s a word]. It may also spell hard work for me, but in the week gone by, I’ve been meeting more people in the cattle and livestock industry. They order their ware from local whole sellers who are not online. These are small businesses that impact the local livestock market in a big way. I know one thing for sure by now., hay is there… I just need to find the right person who will in turn lead me to the whole-seller. Thats the only way its gonna work. {So much ado and contemplation for a 10 inch hopper who happened to saunter into my garden for a quick nibble at my plants}


                                                                                                                                              • Luna's Mom
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                                                                                                                                                  You just made me realize how much I take for granted to be able to hop on the net push a couple buttons and have just about anything delivered to my door. My hats off to you and for you putting forth the effort to give him/her and home and a healthy diet!


                                                                                                                                                • roy
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                                                                                                                                                    Well with a few clicks you can also get a whole range of exquisite tropical fish delivered to your doorstep for your aquarium. Here there is a blanket ban on couriering of any live fish anywhere within the country, even import of exotic fish. So unlike the hay, you have to travel maybe 2000 miles for a rare species that you would like to own, or, live within the confines of your necessity. But that’s a debate probably for another day.


                                                                                                                                                  • Luna's Mom
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                                                                                                                                                      I guess I really didn’t realize how different places are. I had never really had a conversation with anyone from another country before I joined this forum. I like learning about other places and how things are done though. I hope I did not affend you or anything if I did I sincerely apologize.


                                                                                                                                                    • roy
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                                                                                                                                                        No… none taken. I was just trying to point out what you said just now. That places are different. Different in ideals, values, social structure yada yada

                                                                                                                                                        Next stop – philosophy class!

                                                                                                                                                        Will be going to the docks today. There is a racing track nearby, Hopefully will return with something useful for the crit.


                                                                                                                                                      • Luna's Mom
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                                                                                                                                                          I send you lot of luck in getting his/her hay today!!


                                                                                                                                                        • roy
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                                                                                                                                                            Ok update:

                                                                                                                                                            Found some hay after a rather exhaustive search. Since I know everybody here has seen all kinds of hay, can anybody tell me what this hay is? And most importantly if this will work. I may now also have access to meadow hay.

                                                                                                                                                            P.S. This hay was being fed to horses so I helped myself to a bagful citing sampling purposes.


                                                                                                                                                          • roy
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                                                                                                                                                              Im sorry just had to post this.

                                                                                                                                                              20170222_173005
                                                                                                                                                              <script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


                                                                                                                                                            • Alfreds minion
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                                                                                                                                                                What a lovely photo of a gorgeous bunny!

                                                                                                                                                                It looks a lot like ryegrass hay to me. But I imagine a lot of grass hays could look rather similar 
                                                                                                                                                                Anyway I’d say it is totally fine to feed, well done on finding some hay. I hope your bun likes it. Ryegrass hay is not my Alfreds favourite, but that doesn’t really mean anything. Anyway your hay looks a bit better quality than the ryegrass I’ve had.


                                                                                                                                                              • Azerane
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                                                                                                                                                                  That looks good to feed. I don’t know what sort it is, but grass hay being fed to horses will be safe for rabbits It doesn’t look completely dry through but that’s alright. To me it looks like couch grass that we get at home, lol. But a lot of grasses are similar as mentioned.

                                                                                                                                                                  Does bun like it?


                                                                                                                                                                • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                    Got that just yesterday, so far its feeding on it alongwith other greens. It seems to prefer the still green bits only though. Like I said before, I may also have access to meadow hay and a different, fine-stalked grass[that they referred to]. Should I alternate between different varieties? Or should I just stick to one kind?Also is it okay to leave the hay out in the sun?

                                                                                                                                                                    Also its been more than a week that I found it, and so far its not had water. I tried, but it simply turns the bowl over. Seems its a plaything for it. I have no idea about the bottle feed thing though.


                                                                                                                                                                  • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                      Anybody has any ideas/fixes about the water problem?


                                                                                                                                                                    • Roberta
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                                                                                                                                                                        You could try adding a little fresh apple or orange juice.


                                                                                                                                                                      • Roberta
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                                                                                                                                                                          And get a heavier water crock. something nice and solid. Toss the dish is a favourite bunny game.


                                                                                                                                                                        • Alfreds minion
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                                                                                                                                                                            A bowl with completely vertical straight sides would perhaps help, too.

                                                                                                                                                                            If it’s affordable i’d say try all the types of grass hay you can! Bunnys have different likes and dislikes. You can absolutely mix hays. It is totally normal for buns to be picky about which bits of hay they eat. Do not wait for your rabbit to eat all the hay before you give it more! It really pays to be extravagant when feeding hay, I find the more I refresh Alfreds hay the more he eats. A lot of hay gets thrown out, which is fine by me because he eats plenty of it and hay by the bale is so cheap.


                                                                                                                                                                          • Yoyo
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                                                                                                                                                                              Hi Roy! I’m new, but,.. read ur entire thread,… your dedication is simply very admirable! Up until u asked the part about the water bowl, I don’t think that I had any useful information to give, but..since u mentioned the water bowl, Id like to offer you some advice.

                                                                                                                                                                              My rabbit,.. he never seemed to use the water bottle too well,.. heck, even if he don’t mind using it, I didn’t like it, because it leaked.. was just overall messy … switched to heavy ceramic bowl, but,.. quickly found out.. he could pick that up, and toss it around, like a beach ball, at his whim.. yeesh…

                                                                                                                                                                              I moved his water over to my dogs unused non spill plastic bowl,.. its a bit on the larger size ( for a rabbit ) but, not too much,.. he at least cant pick it up, and toss it around anymore at least.. and, it has a built in lip, on the top of it,.. its too late for me now, to go grab pictures of it but, I will try to later on today.. I tried to research my online shopping records to find the name of it, but.. think I ordered it from some pet supply direct,.. am not sure if you can access it from India, but.. maybe if you can see what I am using, u can perhaps find something similar.

                                                                                                                                                                              So,.. incase I cant get pics loaded,.. try to research a small size dogs bowl, that is unspillable.

                                                                                                                                                                              I find the lengths that you are going to,. very admirable!


                                                                                                                                                                            • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                                Posted By Alfreds minion on 2/23/2017 10:20 PM

                                                                                                                                                                                A bowl with completely vertical straight sides would perhaps help, too.

                                                                                                                                                                                If it’s affordable i’d say try all the types of grass hay you can! Bunnys have different likes and dislikes. You can absolutely mix hays. It is totally normal for buns to be picky about which bits of hay they eat. Do not wait for your rabbit to eat all the hay before you give it more! It really pays to be extravagant when feeding hay, I find the more I refresh Alfreds hay the more he eats. A lot of hay gets thrown out, which is fine by me because he eats plenty of it and hay by the bale is so cheap.

                                                                                                                                                                                As long as that hay will do, I can get more than an ample amount of it. Called and checked with the hay guy earlier today. He said if I want more of that horse hay, he’ll charge me @ ₹30 [$0.45 USD or $0.58 AUD] per kg or 2.2 lbs for any sort of hay that he gets for the horses which is still a good deal for me I’d say since a bale[India: 1 bale = 178 kg/392 lbs] would perhaps last forever.


                                                                                                                                                                              • Roberta
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                                                                                                                                                                                  The hay looks good. We call it cooch grass but it is just as good. Find a nice heavy bowl for the water. If you can, fill some empty plastic bottle with water and freeze them for the hot weather. Bunny will lie on them to keep cool. BTW, bunny needs a name.


                                                                                                                                                                                • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                                    Posted By Yoyo on 2/24/2017 12:15 AM

                                                                                                                                                                                    Hi Roy! I’m new, but,.. read ur entire thread,… your dedication is simply very admirable! Up until u asked the part about the water bowl, I don’t think that I had any useful information to give, but..since u mentioned the water bowl, Id like to offer you some advice.

                                                                                                                                                                                    My rabbit,.. he never seemed to use the water bottle too well,.. heck, even if he don’t mind using it, I didn’t like it, because it leaked.. was just overall messy … switched to heavy ceramic bowl, but,.. quickly found out.. he could pick that up, and toss it around, like a beach ball, at his whim.. yeesh…

                                                                                                                                                                                    I moved his water over to my dogs unused non spill plastic bowl,.. its a bit on the larger size ( for a rabbit ) but, not too much,.. he at least cant pick it up, and toss it around anymore at least.. and, it has a built in lip, on the top of it,.. its too late for me now, to go grab pictures of it but, I will try to later on today.. I tried to research my online shopping records to find the name of it, but.. think I ordered it from some pet supply direct,.. am not sure if you can access it from India, but.. maybe if you can see what I am using, u can perhaps find something similar.

                                                                                                                                                                                    So,.. incase I cant get pics loaded,.. try to research a small size dogs bowl, that is unspillable.

                                                                                                                                                                                    I find the lengths that you are going to,. very admirable!

                                                                                                                                                                                    Ok, checked some of the non spill bowls including ones with those suction things at the base. Looked pretty sturdy to me, but if you can post a few pics of your bowl whenever you can, I’d know what I’m going to be looking for.

                                                                                                                                                                                    You find my dedication admirable?!

                                                                                                                                                                                    I’d say the responses and the advice I’ve been getting is what’s actually admirable. I’m doing this for the first time, but imagine having kept bunnies for years and still answering the same questions in different threads repeatedly… I don’t think I’d have the enthusiasm to do that myself if it were the other way round, and what these bun lovers are doing – that is commendable! 

                                                                                                                                                                                    They deserve all the laud. Period.


                                                                                                                                                                                  • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                                      Posted By Roberta on 2/24/2017 4:44 AM

                                                                                                                                                                                      The hay looks good. We call it cooch grass but it is just as good. Find a nice heavy bowl for the water. If you can, fill some empty plastic bottle with water and freeze them for the hot weather. Bunny will lie on them to keep cool. BTW, bunny needs a name.

                                                                                                                                                                                      Finally! Matter’s settled then. I’m sure we’d be able to settle the water issue soon enough. Next up is the enclosure, but I gotta work on that myself .

                                                                                                                                                                                      BTW a relative came to visit yesterday. He said the bunny looks skinny and underfed. Though it eats and frolics all day long I can still feel its ribs, but I think I’d opt for a second opinion. Judging by the pics[can post more], what do you think?

                                                                                                                                                                                      I wanted to ask, your siggy, are all those your bunnies?


                                                                                                                                                                                    • Yoyo
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                                                                                                                                                                                        lol, I DO find you admirable, sir,.. your dedication alone, tells a lot about you, and, yes,.. I do agree with you, that you have been given some super advice here as well too! 

                                                                                                                                                                                        About the water bowl,.. I am slightly challenged with posting pics online still atm, BUT- I DID manage to research the bowl that I have,.. sadly,.. its ” unavailable ” for purchase, but,.. I will post the link anyhow, so that you can at least get an idea of what I’m talking about – no suction cups required either, is the best part, and, if you can find something similar to it at least,.. know this – my dogs couldn’t tip it, and, now, my bun, cant tip it either.. it really is a great design.. except when it comes to cleaning it, then u have to get inside it, with a sponge, and give it a proper wipe down inside .. anyhow, here is the link to the one, that I use —my apologies,.. I don’t think that I am posting the link correctly, or, perhaps it isn’t allowed,.. I’m not sure lol,.. you can go to amazon, and type this tho – Premiere pet spill-less bowl 10 inch turquoise, so that you can see it, and get an idea… your bun, really needs a good, solid source of water, that they cant spill, and, if you can find something, similar to this,.. I really think that would help you out!

                                                                                                                                                                                         


                                                                                                                                                                                      • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                                                                                                          Mine haven’t been able to pick up the light plastic dog bowl that I had for Kyra….

                                                                                                                                                                                          I think it’s because the inside of the (quite wide) side is not perfectly parallel to the outside of the bowl (if that makes sense) so I suppose the bunny teeth can’t get purchase on the plastic. I see bunny teeth marks but it remains the right way up

                                                                                                                                                                                          So it’s possibly a game of trial and error. I suggest NOT filling it up to the rim straight away !!!


                                                                                                                                                                                        • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                                                                                                            You can see the top of the side – this is 1cm wide and the sides (in and out) splay out so within a couple of mm from the top you’re already at 2cm wide – I think this must be too wide for the buns to get any power to lift it (see teeth marks!! LOL) – it is also quite big so the weight (even empty) is widely distributed.  Yet my bun can lift a big can of dog food (heavy yet relatively compact) which has a tiny metal lip ! 


                                                                                                                                                                                          • Syd and Comet
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                                                                                                                                                                                              For my bunny I used a metal bowl and got a thick circle of rubber to glue to the bottom of it. He never flipped it over again. I think you should name the little bunny!


                                                                                                                                                                                            • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                                                Thanks for the useful pic and advice @ Vienna Blue in France, Yoyo and syd and comet. I think I understand exactly what I need now. The base need to be broader than the top and its gotta be sturdy enough for the crit not to be able to topple it.

                                                                                                                                                                                                I was away for a couple of days, and a funny incident occurred yesterday when I returned,

                                                                                                                                                                                                My cousin was looking after it over the weekend and it had been locked in that box for a few hours . When I opened the lid to let it out, it started licking me… just the way a dog would when it sees its owner. lol I thought only dogs did that???


                                                                                                                                                                                              • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                                                  Yeah about the naming. Since I haven’t been able to determine its gender yet, I thought I’d opt for a unisex name. Something that fits both genders.

                                                                                                                                                                                                  My cousin said she felt like nibbling at its ears

                                                                                                                                                                                                  so I thought of maybe chewy? Or perhaps squeaks or Tofu???


                                                                                                                                                                                                • jerseygirl
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                                                                                                                                                                                                    Oh,My.Gosh. So little and he/she is being very sweet there. I think this one will make you a “rabbit person” for life! He reminded me of my rabbit TimTim who I took in at a very young age.


                                                                                                                                                                                                  • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                                                      Well the one thing that really astonished me was that it litter trained itself and I wouldn’t blame anyone if they didn’t believe me

                                                                                                                                                                                                      Whenever it felt litter’ish’ it would hop off to either two of its choicest places(one of which is already on the first page). The other being a definite spot whenever it was indoors. It was almost like it was telling me where it wanted the bin. And yes, now it has 2 places – one indoors, the other outdoor. I merely placed a small tray in each place with some straw and hay, and whenever it needs to go, it simply drops all that its doing and scampers off.


                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                                                                                                                        When I opened the lid to let it out, it started licking me… just the way a dog would when it sees its owner. lol I thought only dogs did that???

                                                                                                                                                                                                        A bonded pair will groom each other repeatedly…. a single bun likes grooming a furry teddy-bun (or equivalent) and happy and safe buns like licking their hoomans.
                                                                                                                                                                                                        How very sweet indeed !!

                                                                                                                                                                                                        There are looooooads of unisex names… Cookie – Scampi – Sisco – Cooper – Jaffa – Moka – Fizzy – Yoshi – Happy.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Q8 will be in agreement with the Chewy option


                                                                                                                                                                                                      • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                                                          Well that was yesterday. Today it started nibbling AND LICKING me hand. Again, did some read up, learnt that’s a good thing after all alongwith the occasional teeth grinding(soft – almost inaudible) that it does.


                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Yoyo
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                                                                                                                                                                                                            * squee!! that was such a cute vid, Roy!!  I agree with the rest,.. that cutie bun needs a name!


                                                                                                                                                                                                          • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                                                              Important:
                                                                                                                                                                                                              A relative came over today. Unfortunately he is not a vet and fortunately he’s had experience in handling rabbits in the past since he used to be a rabbit breeder.

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Realizing the lethality of GI issues, he suggested I always keep some Simethicone handy as its effective as first aid and yet completely harmless. Anybody has had any experience with the compound?


                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Yoyo
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                I have only used simethicone, for my daughters, when they were babies,.. rabbits,.. I haven’t had the need to as of yet, although, I know, its something that I also, need to learn more about, if mine should need it,.. I will await replies to your question along with you, Roy, since I’m also curious!


                                                                                                                                                                                                              • jerseygirl
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Posted By roy on 3/01/2017 2:28 AM

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Important:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  A relative came over today. Unfortunately he is not a vet and fortunately he’s had experience in handling rabbits in the past since he used to be a rabbit breeder.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Realizing the lethality of GI issues, he suggested I always keep some Simethicone handy as its effective as first aid and yet completely harmless. Anybody has had any experience with the compound?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Sure do!  Many rabbit owners have this on hand, usually the form that is an oral suspension for babies. It’s something you can use when you first detect that your rabbit is feeling uncomfortable. When they have a gassy stomach, we’ll often see them pressing the belly into the floor. Or lying down, getting back up and re positioning themselves over and over. Ive used the brand Infacol and seen it help.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  You can read more about GI stasis here and it covers the use of simethicone. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  http://rabbit.org/gastrointestinal-stasis-the-silent-killer-2/


                                                                                                                                                                                                                • jerseygirl
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Posted By roy on 2/28/2017 10:32 AM

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Well the one thing that really astonished me was that it litter trained itself and I wouldn’t blame anyone if they didn’t believe me

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Whenever it felt litter’ish’ it would hop off to either two of its choicest places(one of which is already on the first page). The other being a definite spot whenever it was indoors. It was almost like it was telling me where it wanted the bin. And yes, now it has 2 places – one indoors, the other outdoor. I merely placed a small tray in each place with some straw and hay, and whenever it needs to go, it simply drops all that its doing and scampers off.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    I believe you!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    In a way, we don’t really litter train them. We just provide things that take advantage of their natural habits. Rabbits in the wild choose an area to become the latrine. They never soil their burrows. They also poop around where they are grazing, so by putting hay in the litter box. the result is usually most of their droppings end up in there. 


                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Posted By jerseygirl on 3/01/2017 2:50 AM

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      …Ive used the brand Infacol and seen it help…

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      I don’t think I can get Infacol here, but I can sure get the compound and the oral suspension is pretty cheap here as is the gel.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Yoyo
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Posted By jerseygirl on 3/01/2017 2:50 AM

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        http://rabbit.org/gastrointestinal-…-killer-2/

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        ___________

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        ^^^  Ty, Jerseygirl… that link, I read over, and saved to my favorites even… great information, and, I super appreciate your posting that!


                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Posted By Yoyo on 3/01/2017 3:20 AM

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Posted By jerseygirl on 3/01/2017 2:50 AM

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          http://rabbit.org/gastrointestinal-…-killer-2/

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          ___________

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          ^^^  Ty, Jerseygirl… that link, I read over, and saved to my favorites even… great information, and, I super appreciate your posting that!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          That was an epic find and am sure its not just going to help you and me, but all newbies alike.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Will get Simethicone 125mg in the evening and stow it in the refrigerator and hope I never have to use it. 


                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Posted By jerseygirl on 3/01/2017 2:50 AM …Ive used the brand Infacol and seen it help…

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Er… is Infacol same as Gripe water?


                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Something that I’ve observed, It frequently does what looks like scratching itself. It scratches its nose and looks like nibbling at its paws. It does this mostly when its resting, but infrequently does this ‘mid-frolic’  I hope this too is normal:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              hgh#23
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              <script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              (Hope Im not being persistent and irritating now)


                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Below is a short 15s clip of it scratching itself.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Roberta
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  LOL, she is washing her face. Like a cat they wet their paws by licking, then use them to wash their nose, face and whiskers.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Roberta
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Bunny grooming habits are very similar to cats.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Posted By Roberta on 3/01/2017 9:12 AM

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      LOL, she is washing her face. Like a cat they wet their paws by licking, then use them to wash their nose, face and whiskers.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Uh… didn’t know. I was a tad worried there. But I guess that’s okay then (Wish it had ended up with someone who understands rabbits and animals in general )


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        I think bun is very lucky to have ‘chosen’ you (oh yes! They’re not that silly.. lol) and don’t worry, like all buns, they teach us more than the other way around…

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        You’ll find buns lick many parts of their body. It’s all normal.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Just worry when bun is lethargic or seemingly uncomfortable (like gas mentioned above) or not interested in eating, or doing very strange poops (and then obvious things, like limping or blood present….)


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Do you bathe rabbits when they get dirty? Or if their fur gets too dirty or mud-coated, how would you clean them?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Also is it possible to trim rabbits’ nails when they get too long? This one’s has.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Gina.Jenny
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Bathing a bunny generally isn’t a good idea, their skin is very delicate and they can get very cold. Fragrance free baby wipes or simply a damp face cloth can be used to wipe a bun, though I would think mud might be best left to dry and then brushed out, Regular grooming will also make sure your bun doesn’t ingest to much hair.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            I trim our buns nails using dog nail clippers, these are the ones I have, and I have six lots of bun paws to clip, so I can vouch these do the job!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wahl-Clipper-Guillotine-Style-Stainless/dp/B000YKPD94/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1488398343&sr=8-7&keywords=pet+nail+clippers


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Posted By Gina.Jenny on 3/01/2017 2:00 PM

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Bathing a bunny generally isn’t a good idea, their skin is very delicate and they can get very cold. Fragrance free baby wipes or simply a damp face cloth can be used to wipe a bun, though I would think mud might be best left to dry and then brushed out, Regular grooming will also make sure your bun doesn’t ingest to much hair.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              I trim our buns nails using dog nail clippers, these are the ones I have, and I have six lots of bun paws to clip, so I can vouch these do the job!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wahl-Clipper-Guillotine-Style-Stainless/dp/B000YKPD94/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1488398343&sr=8-7&keywords=pet+nail+clippers

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Thanks for tip and the link ↑. Will find this at a nearby store or at a ‘.in’ online store.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Posted By Vienna Blue in France on 3/01/2017 11:41 AM

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                I think bun is very lucky to have ‘chosen’ you (oh yes! They’re not that silly.. lol) and don’t worry, like all buns, they teach us more than the other way around… ….)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                So far it has learnt NOTHING from me, and I… everything!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Though Im sure apart from the GI issues, it must also be prone to (flea, ticks, mite, maggot and others) infestation on account of its fur? I think I should be prepped for that well ahead of such an occasion. Which was also the real reason I posted what I thought was a worrying clip above.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Roberta
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  If you can get Revolution Puppy and Kitten it will take care of parasites and also fall stall fly strike by killing maggots. Just make sure she has a clean bottom and flies should not be a problem.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • jerseygirl
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Revolution might be called Stronghold in your part of the world. The active ingredient is Selamectin.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Roberta
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Don’t use anything other than a selamectin based product, others can kill bunnies.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • vanessa
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        For mites, sure, use Selamectin. For flystrike, I’ve read of it used with ivermectin, never tried that combo myself. Ivemectin does kill maggots, and I believe Selamectin does too – but by then they are already inside the bunny and need to be removed. But Ivermectin/salamectin will at least stop the maggots from developing into inch-long warbles. Bephar is an ivermectin spray from the UK, can be purchased online. Rearguard (prescription) contains Cyromazine and protects against flystrike for up to 10 weeks by killing the eggs. While making sure the bunny’s butt is clean will help – it doesn’t guarantee to keep the flies away. The bot fly is atracted to rabbits – clean or dirty. A mosquito net is a good barrier. If yoru bunny is kept outdoors, it is best to pet her and feel her skin everyday. Check for lumps. If you find a lump with a breathing hole – time for an emergency trip to the vet. If you use selamectin and/or ivermectin to kill the maggots, they will be dead inside the bunny, and will start to rot and give off toxins. They will still need to be removed by a vet. Flystrike is serious. If you dont live in an agricultural area, you will have fewer bot flies. If you do live where there are cattle, horses, sheep, etc, you will have more bot flies. I have horses and cattle nearby. I’ve had 3 bunnies with flystrike. It had nothing to do with their butts being clean.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • roy
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Thanks for your responses. Selamectin seems to be the common choice for most owners so I guess Im going to stick with it if its ever required, though Beaphar seems to be the more recommended choice of local docs.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          NOTE: The relative who paid a visit the other day, said the animal is a ‘he’. So I guess Im going to stick with it for the time being until its gender has been reconfirmed to be otherwise.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Forum THE LOUNGE Need a little help. Didn’t know where to ask.