Electric Shock!

[IsabellaRobyn]

Belle just jumped really high a minute ago and thumped her foot and I’m pretty sure she got a shock from chewing through my laptop cable.  She thumped her foot a few times afterwards but right now she is hopping around fine.  I gave her a little bit of greens and she ate it fine.  I’m crying my eyes out right now I feel terrible I took my eyes off her for just a few minutes.  Is there anything I should/can do?  Will she be okay?!

Edit:  I don’t know if it makes any difference but I think it was the thin bit of wire that she bit into not the thick bit that goes from the plug socket to the little pack thing I’m not sure if the voltage is different or not.

[Roberta]

Thankfully many appliances run through adapters that reduce or limit the current. Chances are she only got a tingle. I have a cat now 16 yrs old who at 1 yr chewed through the cord on my answering maching. Thankfully it was on an adapter that limited the current to 12 volts. Keep an eye on her but if she was able to thump at it and hop away she should be OK, maybe you could invest in some cable protectors and for portable appliances tie a bell on to the protector so you can here it if she is going in for a nibble.

[Roberta]

Just checked the transformer on mine and the current is limited to 85 volts. Considerably less than the normal 240 volts from the mains (or higher if you have a 10 amp outlet for a spa, 3 phase oven etc.) Look on the transformer and you will see a number with a big V either in front of behind it. That will tell you the voltage.
This is a handy reference to mains power http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity_by_country

[IsabellaRobyn]

She’s in her pen eating her hay now and she runs over to me when I call her and is acting normal. When she got the shock she thumped then thumped twice afterwards pretty quick between each one but other than that she’s not done anything to suggest she’s uncomfortable. I think the thumps were more a “what the hell was that, it’s scary” than a pain reaction. I sat petting her a minute ago and she bowed her head for head rubs and tooth purred when I stroked her head so she seems pretty content. I’m just worried that it will effect her when I go to sleep (it’s 4am). Could there be a chance that it will have a delayed effect or do you think it would happen pretty quickly after the shock?

It’s the only wire in my room and it’s right beside me. I got distracted for a minute and that’s when she did it – normally she just hops right past and doesn’t give it a second look. I feel sick for being so careless. I’m so worried for her, she’s my little baby !

[Roberta]

Hi Isabella… Sounds like she is fine… The effects would have been instant if she had received the full voltage. Speaking from experience and having once plugged in a cord without realising my finger was touching one of the tines (full 240 volt experience) I can assure you she would be showing signs, even if it was a light jolt she would be sitting back looking a bit cowered. If she is nonchalant then I’d say just a tooth tingle. Wouldn’t hurt to check her in to the vet for a check up to put your own mind at ease though… and NB Never plug anything into a power point or extension without turning it off at the mains. I survived but it is not a sensation I have any desire to experience again.

[IsabellaRobyn]

Thanks so much for your replies. I think she will be okay but it’s always good to get someone else’s opinion. I’ll post here again tomorrow to let you know how she’s getting on – so far so good. She’s just grooming away now. Again, thanks so much! <3!!!

[LittlePuffyTail]

That is scary! I’m very glad she seems okay. Bindi chewed an alarm clock cord in half once but wasn’t injured or fazzed by it all. I’m now extremely careful with cords, and urge all bunny owners to do the same. Never leave your bun around cords even for a second, because that’s all it takes.

[IsabellaRobyn]

I know LPT I feel so awful she’s never getting anywhere near a wire again!! Belle has been fine today, just her usual self. I think last night she thought I’d gone a bit mad with all my crying haha!

Edit:  I checked the voltage and it was only 19V where she bit instead of 240V thankfully!

[peppypoo]

What a scare! I’m glad to hear that she’s alright though. You can never be too careful with bunnies and cords!

[RabbitPam]

Glad to hear she’s OK. I think it’s time for some major wire bunny proofing. You can buy lots of cord protectors (they are curly and can come in different lengths) that wrap around all exposed cord. They really help. If you’re focused on your computer there’s just no way to watch your bunny well enough. So, with the tedium of the initial purchase and wrapping, you can have most cords wrapped and protected for years to come. My stuff looks like it came from the store with lots of black or white or gray squiggly wires, but it’s really all my wrapping. It’s very cheap stuff to buy, too.

The other way to handle it is to have a barrier between bunny and cords. I had sections of the cubes you usually use to build condos with attached in a row like a fence. Put it down in front of my computer desk, and had all the cords run behind the fenced off space into the wall. It actually was easier when it came to the smaller wires, since it just blocked them all off. You need to either attach it so bunny can slide by it at the ends, or make it turn a corner next to your desk so it stands freely at your feet and blocks on one, two or three sides. I hope you can picture this from my description. These are the wire cubes with little circles they fit into at the corners that are sold at Bed Bath & Beyond in a box of about 20 grey metal ones. Targets used to sell them, but some have holes too big that a bunny can get a head through. Any thing that blocks, like some acrylic sheets, or thin boards, can be used as long as you don’t have an opening.

[bmt87]

I agree with RabbitPam on the bunny-proofing. Our apartment is completely bunny-proofed with wires covers, NIC cubes, duct tape, zipties, and coroplast – we tried to have an arsenal so that we could make sure everything was adequately covered. Oh, and we have cheap fleece blankets shoved into the spaces behind the couch so she can’t get there.

About the computer cord – I understand where you are coming from with that one. Just last night Lola grabbed mine when I was trying to work on my project. You can’t really wrap them. So what I *usually* do is pre-charge my laptop so I don’t need to charge it when she it out when I’m home and if I run out of batteries and have to use it – Lola goes in her condo until it’s charged again. It’s really the only way around it. It seems every single time she is out when I am charging it’s like a moth to a candle flame – and my wire has the little bunny teeth nips to prove it.

[IsabellaRobyn]

Please don’t misunderstand me guys, I haven’t just failed to bunny proof. My room is bunny proofed and there are no wires in my room to hide unless I have my laptop out as it is the only plug in my room. Usually she doesn’t get very near it because I tuck it away when she is out but she managed to get in at it the other night. I was absolutely sick with guilt when it happened and I felt terrible but it’s not that I don’t take precautions it was an accident that thankfully ended up okay. I hope you don’ think I’m a terrible rabbit owner .

[Roberta]

Isabella, You are not a terrible rabbit owner. As you said, accidents happen and several of the others have shared their stories to prove it.
It is the nature of pets and children that no matter how well you think you have proofed something against them they will find a way. I have a cat (Finn Gall) who has now discovered how to open the back door by popping it out of its latch. I have been using a rake with a solid wooden handle to secure it until I can buy some extra devices to secure it. Finn has now figured out how to move the rake. At this rate I will have to lock him in the big carrier at night until I can get a stronger latch.

[LittlePuffyTail]

You are def not a terrible bunny Mom! I consider myself a very good bunny Mom and my buns have gotten to cords and other things on occasion. I certainly was not doubting your rabbit parenting abilities. They can be little buggers and no matter how much we rabbit proof, sometimes things happen.

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