I've only had my rabbit for a week, but I took him to the vet today because he was sneezing. Before I took him there, he really loved going outside his cage, running/playing around me, and doing binkies. Now, he's just in his cage and whenever I try to pet him he crouches really low. Is he still tired/stressed about the visit? The doctor did stick a thermometer up his butt, and he was carried a lot.

How do I regain his trust again? I want him to be an energetic bunny again.

He was also diagnosed with the snuffles, and I have to give him his medicine twice a day with a syringe. How can I give him the medicine with the least stress on him, and without him hating me?

Don't worry, rabbits get mad about things but it doesn't last forever. Right now he is sick and stressed, it's nothing personal against you. The best way to give medicine would be to bring him on a bed and wrap him up in a towel, it works best if you have someone else hold the rabbit while you give him the medicine. He will probably be angry for a couple of days but he'll get over it. When I spayed Wilbur, boy was she mad at me, but a day or so passed and it was like normal again

I had sooo many problems getting Rorschach to take medicine with a syringe. A great tip BB members gave me is to mix the medicine with just a little bit of natural, unsweetened apple sauce. He gobbled it up right away =] Or you can use a small slice of banana. I agree that your bun is probably just stressed from his visit, just give him time and let him mellow out and get back into his groove.

He'll get over it in time! Right now he's very new to your house and doesn't know what to do, but once he's feeling better and he has positive interaction with you I'm sure he'll come around.

He'll forgive you Especially if you have craisins Give a treat after the meds to make nice.

Posted By Kokaneeandkahlua on 01/31/2012 07:08 PM
He'll forgive you Especially if you have craisins Give a treat after the meds to make nice.

Ditto - I am quickly forgiven this way.   Hopefully though you will be able to give meds in the apple sauce so it doesn't feel like there is anything to get over.  

I am not sure for how long your bunny will be on meds, but I would always warn my bunnies when it was med time by allowing them to smell the medicine prior to giving.  Then they new that my next move was up to no good.  That worked well because then all the other times I approached where I didn't have that "scent" with me, they new I was harmless.  If this is only going to be for a few days, and/or you just feed with apple sauce then I wouldn't worry about doing what I did -- It's only useful when you have to give meds through the syringe and you are on a week or longer med regime. 

BB, it's "Knew". The K is silent. Like me, Samantha Smartypants.

smartypants Pam.....thank you for the K clarification. Are you a now it all? lol. My Ks have been kidnapped. I must be getting really bad lately.....I'm a speedy typo queen, (gorilla style) -made even worse with the horrible digital keyboards on tablets.