need hope!!!

[niniliefie]

plso… ive had my bun for about 2months+ and im always worried! there seems to always be something new to worry about and i might get an ulcer from all the stress! hahaha and considering that ive raisedf veiled chameleons, high maintenance pets shouldnt be such a stress, but he is so friken adorable and i dont want anything to happen to him! so… does it ever stop? will i ever have gone through enough to not worry every day? like today, the little man leaves a soft poo right where i can see him and i know that it is possibly a cecotrope, cause we got up and outa the cage an hour earlier than usual and 3 claylike balls were stuck together(like pics of cecotropes) but 2 claylike balls were seperate… then my stress levels go into the red and i start ovethinking! was it just a cecotrope? cause it was just that cluster and then back to the norm… 

also… he has become hormonal(as i said in a previous post) but he is also much more cuddly lately! he still runs and binks, but he spends atleast 30min of his runs lying in my arm or cuddling my hands and feet… is this change in behaviour normal as they move into teenager and adulthood or should i go to the vet(words ive asked more in the last 2 months than in 27 years) 

please give me hope! buns are so awesome and i would love to continue having them as pets… but i dont know about the amount of stress

[Isabelle]

Over time you will become accustomed to the normal behaviors and bodily functions of your bun, so you will know when something is off. I had this with Dutchess, she was also my first pet, so it’s normal. I’ve had her for 3 1/2 years now and know when something isn’t right and when things are normal. That’s also what we are here for Ask away questions if you think something is amiss. I don’t think cuddling more quite warrants a trip to the vet What does is if he stops eating or pooping altogether for 10-12 hours or shows signs of clearly being in pain. The two times Dutchess had tummy impactions she was in a tight ball huddled away, didn’t eat her dinner,was squeaking/vocalizing, and was angry with me for even trying to touch her. Believe me, if your bun is ever in pain, you will know it. Your bun is cuddling with you more because he is getting to know and trust you, which means you are doing the right things with bonding

[LittlePuffyTail]

I agree with Isabelle 100%. You will get to know your bunny and will be able to tell when he is “off” and needs to see the vet. I know my buns so well that if they lose a bit of weight or are acting unusual, I can tell. Knowing your rabbit well and being a vigilant bun parent is the best way to detect health problems.

I’m not going to say that bunnies are easy, no stress pets because that’s just not true. They do get sick and it’s stressful and, often expensive, but I strongly feel the love and enjoyment they give is worth all the stressful times.

Just to bring me up to speed, how old is your bun and is he neutered?

[niniliefie]

Hahaha that’s defs true, they aren’t stress free pets, but they are so amazing! He is about 4 months now… So hormones are starting to make things difficult and my vet won’t neuter him till he is 6 months old! Hahaha but he is a real cuddlebun and has an attitude like no other pet I’ve ever had… I adore him!

[Kbana]

Oh your post makes me giggle a bit because I posted an identical one a few months ago when I first got Albert. I have had him for 4 months now and I have calmed down considerably. I also make sure I spend as much time with him as possible. ( and admittedly, sometimes I don’t get to spend as much time as I’d like some days) When I spend enough time with him I feel more confident that I am being observant and fully understand where he is at. When I’ve had a few busy days I make sure to really focus on him when I am with him to make sure nothing is amiss. Overall, like others have said, it gets a lot better. I didn’t think I’d survive the first two months I had him. I was always on edge. I was always questioning my decision to put myself under such unexpected stress. Now I’m used to being a bun mom more and have really tried to educate myself so I know what I am looking for and what to expect. Of course you still think about the bad things but they are more in the back of your mind and turn into more of an awareness rather than a paranoia. Bunnies are such a special animal and I don’t know if anything compares to your first bun. You are just so overwhelmed with love because they are unlike any other animal, they are so enchanting and intoxicating in a way that you throw yourself into despair thinking of the what ifs at first (I know that sounded a bit over dramatic LOL) but really, what you’re feeling is normal and it will get better. Promise!

[niniliefie]

Feeeeeewwww! That makes me feel better! I spend atleast 3-4hours a day with him, but some days its difficult! I’m on holiday now, so spending a LOT of time with him, but thursday I start work again… And the poor little man will be more alone! Everything makes me concerned for him! But I’m glad that it will get better! Hahaha

[Kbana]

Good. And, no worries about going back to work. I am on vacation now too so Albert has been getting tons of time. But life gets in the way sometimes and there is nothing we can do about it. That is all part of having an animal really. When you get a chance to relax a bit you will be more accepting of this and you will just make sure to make it up to him as soon as you can. When I first got Al I wouldn’t leave the house if I absolutely didn’t have to. Then I realized that my life had to continue too in order for both of us to be happy long term.

[niniliefie]

And the missing? Cause when I’m not home… I miss him like crazy! Hahaha I got him a while after my longterm boyfriend and I broke up, so he kinda filled that hole at first, but now… He’s my baby! And leaving him SUCKS! I’m getting better with trips etc, but wish I could have him travel with me!!!

[Isabelle]

Keep some pictures of him with you Helps a LOT, and gives you bragging rights to coworkers XD

[Rufus]

Oh wow, you sound exactly like me about 6 months ago. I remember taking the day off work because I was sick and freaking out because Rufus just kept sleeping. I just sat next to his cage crying I was so worried. Little did I know that that was his normal routine, I’d just never been there to witness it! My latest obsession is checking the weather where he is every twenty minutes because I worry so much about him getting overheated. As everyone else has said it does get much much easier as you get to know the little guys. Especially a month after they’ve been neutered/spayed when they become a bit more consistent. Before that they have lots of hormonal behaviour changes that can freak a paranoid bun mum out! Good luck, you’ll be fine!
I also definitely back up the idea of keeping lots of pics with you. I even have an enlarged pic of Rufus above my desk at work. Keeps me happy!

[Deleted User]

I’m with Rufus on this one – the only thing I worry about with Henry for the moment is the ‘heat’ – we are expecting a heatwave tomorrow and even worse on Saturday! Apart from that, I can now honestly say if Henry was to ever be unwell, I would know straight away and that’s only cause after living with him for so long I ‘know’ him! And unfortunately that only comes with time. You too will get to know your guy so well, as soon as something is amiss you will know! And in turn you will come home one day and realise other than wondering how his day has been while your at work, you won’t have worried that day. It will happen…..
And pictures? Isn’t that the norm! Ha ha hah!

[RetroJester]

When I first got Nellie, I panicked over every little thing she did-I called the vet the first time she flopped over! Now I’ve had her for 6 months, and we’ve gotten on such a good schedule and I can always tell when something is wrong. It comes with time, don’t worry. I think the panicking over little stuff comes with learning how to care for a bun!

[Deleted User]

Ha ha hah RetroJester – the first time Henry did the ‘side flop’ I actually thought he dropped dead! My heart was in my throat till I saw his little tummy move with his next breath. Terrifying at the time, but gee I do have a good laugh at myself now!

[niniliefie]

My little boy does that a LOT and I froze the first time he did! Hahaha
Thanx for all the advice! It makes me feel a lot better to know I’m not the only crazy-paranoid bun mom to ever live!

[Deleted User]

Trust me niniliefie you weren’t the first and you won’t be the last, ha hah! But good on you for caring so much you asked – what a great mum are you!
And bunny’s should come with a ‘warning’ for that dam side flop! Lol….

[Author]

Messages