Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Help! A dog just attacked my rabbit!

Viewing 26 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • Leo
      Participant
      7 posts Send Private Message

        Help! A dog just attacked my rabbit!

        Can anyone please help/advise. A dog has just grabbed my rabbit. He picked it up by the scruff of the neck and walked a way to present to his owner. The dog dropped the rabbit, the owner tried to protect but the other dog came along and grabbed him. The rabbit was screaming. I managed to get him out of the other dog’s mouth. He was limp and his head was back. I thought he was dying/dead but he is able to walk but not properly. He just kind of hops a bit then moves to where he feels safe. He is able to turn himself around. He has a small nick/tear on his ear with a tiny bit of blood and I don’t think there is any broken bones (how do you tell if there is internal bleeding) but that is all we could see so far (difficult as he is a angora x lion head). i now have him resting on the bed. He tries to walk but then realises it’s difficult so he just rests. He is drinking water but not any of his favourite treat yet. This happened several hours ago and it is 2am here in France. He hasn’t gone to the toilet yet but seems fairly comfortable sitting here with me and being pet and was even licking the pillow like he does when content. The 24hour vet cannot advise without seeing him and as he is not my vet I am going to sit with bunny until I can get to a vet in the morning. 

        Does anyone have any advice please? For shocked bunnies or bunnies which have been grabbed by dogs???

        I hope someone sees this and responds – thank you.

        Sharon


      • Sarita
        Participant
        18851 posts Send Private Message

          I think just keep him warm – I hope he is okay until you get him to your vet. I think I would have had the emergency vet at least do a physical exam on him.

          Please keep us updated.


        • NewBunnyOwner123
          Participant
          1930 posts Send Private Message

            Oh no! I guess just try to keep as comfortable as possible and keep any possible stressors away as in keep it quiet where he’s at. If you have children no children near him. Just try and keep him nice and calm. Poor guy has been through a lot and hopefully no internal damage was done and he’ll just be really sore for awhile. Please keep us updated. I feel like I’d be in the E VET. I thought that was the point of one was care after hours. Why isn’t he able to see the bunny?

            Who’s dog was this? Was it yours? I’m confused, is he outside bunny or inside? I’d probably keep him indoors from now on as that dog could very well be back.


          • robyn and 'tipps'
            Participant
            90 posts Send Private Message

              Hi Sharon

              Cant add more advice than the first responses. Id get him to the vet ASAP but you know that.

              Wanted you to know that (what happened to your poor bunny) was extremely sad to hear and I hope your little friend comes thru this and recovers. And keep him inside and safe if possible, away from that dog.

              Let us know how he fared.

              Good luck

              Robyn (and tipps)


            • Deleted User
              Participant
              22064 posts Send Private Message

                I am mortified to read your story (not at you – just the story), and I personally would urge you to see a vet (any vet) ASAP – sorry! My original toy poodle was grabbed/attacked by a Rottweiler and even though she looked unscathed (no blood), she was limp like a rag doll – she had massive internal bleeding and passed at the vets office that same afternoon. My only consolation was that the vet was able to administer pain relief – at least she passed pain free after such a terrifying experience. I’m not suggesting your bun is suffering in the way my poodle did – but I didn’t know till the vet examined her and told me. Gosh, I so hope your bun is ok and recovers well – they are so precious.


              • Roberta
                Participant
                4355 posts Send Private Message

                  Vibes your little bun Leo…. I agree with the others, keep him quiet and warm and get to the vet as quickly as you can….. Please keep us updated.


                • Leo
                  Participant
                  7 posts Send Private Message

                    Thank you so much for your advice and wishes. It really helps and means a lot although after hearing your story AndHenry I am even more distraught. I am so sorry to hear about your poodle. How traumatic. Why oh why cannot people control their dogs? Leo is at the vets now. They want to observe and x-ray him, etc. His breathing is a little wheezy so they fear possible lung damage? There is air under his skin. Also perhaps broken bones in his back possibly? I am living in Paris and my French is not technical enough for this. The vet could speak English but not that great. I had someone French with me (the dog owner) to interpret my questions. I don’t live near the 24-hour vet anymore and as he was not helpful nor polite with me nor my French friend who also called, we thought a few more hours couldn’t possibly hurt and I had Leo very calm and comfortable with me, all snuggled up on the bed and he seemed comfortable and I checked him all night and tried to feed/water him. Leo is a house bunny. I work with dogs (because I’m still learning French) and sometimes boarded them but I was living with someone a bit volatile so I left to live in a big house to help the owner with her dogs. As Leo was used to dogs (the scent of them/sight of them – no contact!!!) and the dogs were outside dogs we were all very careful with doors, windows, watching etc but within moments while I was outside one of the two Weimaraners snuck behind me while my back was turned, pushed through a gate and then through a door to where Leo was, grabbed him and then came back out and walked back behind me and into the garden to present him to the owner. He had him by the scruff of the neck but when he was told ‘no’ and dropped him the other Weimaraner got a hold. So it was just grabbing but Leo is only two kilos and I’ve been trying not to overfeed him so he’s not fat! I became complacent and thought, I’ll just push the doors shut (not lock them as usual) and put one thing on the line (right in front of the door that the dog crept in and out of) and as I got to the line he had already been in and back out again with Leo. I feel so guilty and that I’ve let Leo down. When I got him I made a promise to myself that I would take care of him until he died and never leave him and I meant it. I love him. I have had rabbits as a child but this is my first house rabbit and I absolutely adore him. I’ve taught him to do little tricks, he jumps on the bed at night and sleeps near my head/pillow and gives me kisses if I wake, He is so affectionate with me and has been a great companion since I left my partner. And I turn 41 next week so I am not a child!!! Sometimes I think it’s a bit strange that I could love a rabbit so much (?!). I even prefer them to dogs now! The vet has just let me know there seems to be no broken ribs but there is a small breech between the left lung and the skin. He is going to need painkillers and antibiotics and they would like to keep him under observation until tomorrow. I’m going back there to visit him and take his favourite treats and fresh bedding. I’m so distraught. Thank you so much for your responses.


                  • LittlePuffyTail
                    Moderator
                    18092 posts Send Private Message

                      I’m sorry to hear about this awful situation. Wishing your bun a (((Speedy Recovery)))). Please keep us updated.


                    • Roberta
                      Participant
                      4355 posts Send Private Message

                        Keeping the vibes coming for your little one….


                      • Megabunny
                        Participant
                        2041 posts Send Private Message

                          Oh you poor thing. I cannot imagine the terror of hearing your bunny screaming. I’m so very sorry. We cannot do everything perfectly. Remember we are all human. I think it’s fantastic that you keep him in bed at night. I’d love to have a rabbit sleep with me…if it didn’t chew my pajamas like Henry does to AndHenry! You love that little guy and would never have done anything neglectful. Sadly, animals manage to do things we least expect. My dog is very aggressive toward any other animals and one time I put him out back thinking Charlie was in his outdoor pen, but he’d gotten out and I came around to fine the dog and rabbit standing face to face, like they weren’t sure what to do next. Fortunately, that was when I learned the dog realized he has to accept the bunnies as family.

                          Hopefully, as the vet hasn’t come up with anything awful at this point, things will improve with a lot of rest. I remember the crackle of air under animals’ skin when they had trauma to their chest when I worked in animal hospitals. It’s been a long time, but I seem to recall that it just slowly was absorbed back into their body.

                          Try not to be upset with your friend’s dog. It’s what they do. It would be a funny story if it had only been the first dog getting him. Try and see the positive side that he has survived and will continue to improve(I hope).

                          All the best Leo. Hope you go home soon and have Mom spoil you with treats and lots of love


                        • robyn and 'tipps'
                          Participant
                          90 posts Send Private Message

                             

                             

                            Best wishes, Leo! Keep us posted.


                          • Ouisie
                            Participant
                            65 posts Send Private Message

                              Thinking of you and Leo. Please let us know when you get an update x


                            • Sindri
                              Participant
                              1515 posts Send Private Message

                                So sorry to hear about this. Hope he gets better soon. Please do keep us updated.


                              • Elrohwen
                                Participant
                                7318 posts Send Private Message

                                  Sending you vibes! I hope he makes a full recovery.


                                • NewBunnyOwner123
                                  Participant
                                  1930 posts Send Private Message

                                    Poor guy! So glad he is getting some care. Hopefully he makes a speedy recovery and can come back home with you!

                                    Please keep us updated on his recovery.


                                  • michelleann31
                                    Participant
                                    78 posts Send Private Message

                                      Sending healing vibes and positive thoughts to you and your bunny, that is just so terrible, and little things that are out of control can happen when you least expect it, in just a split second. I’m sure Leo loves you very much and knows it and will heal quickly and will be back to his old sweet self in no time!


                                    • Megabunny
                                      Participant
                                      2041 posts Send Private Message

                                        Well, how did your baby make out?


                                      • Deleted User
                                        Participant
                                        22064 posts Send Private Message

                                          My apologies Sharon, I know you were already traumatised and I didn’t mean to make it worse, it was just when I read your story, it bought back all the horrific memories of what my first ‘Molly’ and I as her owner endured 18 years ago (still fresh in my mind) and I got a bit scared for you both. I only wanted you to be aware that a lot of damage can be done internally that you can’t know about till a vet can examine and confirm, and at the very least – regardless of injury can offer pain relief. If I had not of had this experience myself I would in no way have replied with such urgency in the tone of my post. Again I apologise, my intention was not to upset you anymore than I knew you already were, just for you to seek vet assistance as soon you possibly could, which you did – good on you. I too am eagerly awaiting to hear an update, we all hope to hear from you soon and with good news. I’ve had both Leo and you in my thoughts since.

                                          PS – I still shudder that my neighbour thought it was cool to let her (2) Rottweiler’s off the leash in the park behind my house. What was she thinking? I wonder if 18 years later she still has the odd flashback to when SHE (not the dog’s) caused the horrific death of our precious poodle? I tried to accept some responsibility, my Molly shouldn’t have been there unleashed – but what could my toy poodle hurt, a field mouse? And she offered me no assistance. No, she wouldn’t have given Molly, my kid’s or me a 2nd thought since…..
                                          Thank you Sharon for passing on your condolences for my Molly while you yourself are enduring an equally horrific experience. The damage to your Leo isn’t the same, but the experience would be just as frightening, again, why I was so scared for you both.


                                        • NewBunnyOwner123
                                          Participant
                                          1930 posts Send Private Message

                                            Is there an update for Leo?


                                          • Megabunny
                                            Participant
                                            2041 posts Send Private Message

                                              I told you we cared! I PMd about it and am still hoping we hear


                                            • Roberta
                                              Participant
                                              4355 posts Send Private Message

                                                Hope Leo is better and home with you now… Please let us know…


                                              • Deleted User
                                                Participant
                                                22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                  I am hoping no news is good news? But we’d all love to hear from you Sharon. I know we ALL have had you and your precious Leo in our thoughts. Please let us know Sharon, best wishes to you both.


                                                • LongEaredLions
                                                  Participant
                                                  4482 posts Send Private Message

                                                    (((((Vibes for good updates and healing)))))
                                                    How is he today, we are all rooting for him!


                                                  • Megabunny
                                                    Participant
                                                    2041 posts Send Private Message

                                                      Don’t keep us in suspense. How did your bunny make out? Sure hope it’s good news


                                                    • Leo
                                                      Participant
                                                      7 posts Send Private Message

                                                        Oh, first of all I am so touched by all your support, responses and genuine care! Leo made it! I had actually also posted on Rabbits Online and got the posts confused so will put the same as I did on the other one:

                                                        So sorry for my delay in letting you all know Leo is okay! A miracle. I think the dog/s knew he was mine so were gentle with him. I do not take him downstairs anymore (where the accident occurred) and there is a lock on the door on the room where he stays so the dogs cannot push it open. When he is out in the house now it is not in view of the dogs by a window or anything like that. This is just a temporary accommodation! He spent a night at the vets and had to be on a pain killer and antibiotics for a few weeks to treat infection of the bite – if I didn’t go so quickly he could have died from an infection as the vet couldn’t find the perforations but there was air between his lung and skin. He is pretty much back to normal but doesn’t like to come out of his room very much or for very long. He has started biting me for no reason though so I think I will put this on a separate post!

                                                        Megabunny you mentioned about his sleeping with me! Sadly he doesn’t really do this anymore. I never actually trained him to do that. He used to try and jump on the bed at night but I would always put him down because he would urinate on my bed if ever he got the chance! Then, gradually, I would wake up and there he would be, at my head, in the gap between the pillows and the bed! So cute. So he must have figured out if he snuck up when I was asleep and kept quiet he could stay there. Strange thing to wake up to! And when I woke up he would give me kisses. I had no idea rabbits could be like this. He doesn’t do this anymore sadly. Maybe once or twice. He does jump up in the morning sometimes for a cuddle. And no, I couldn’t even look at the dogs the day it happened but I wasn’t angry, they didn’t know and they didn’t hurt him really… They’re hunting dogs and they were obsessed with him (and probably jealous) as soon as they saw him. AndHenry don’t worry I wasn’t upset by your post at all! It’s just a shame that some dog owners (most actually) don’t take responsibility for their dogs! It just goes over their heads. Terrible. Dogs can be killers though (as you know) so ridiculous. What if it were a child? Sorry to hear you are still missing Molly 🙁


                                                      • LongEaredLions
                                                        Participant
                                                        4482 posts Send Private Message

                                                          Yay! Such good news to hear!
                                                          Glad he pulled through and is doing well.


                                                        • LittlePuffyTail
                                                          Moderator
                                                          18092 posts Send Private Message

                                                            I’m so glad to hear your bun is doing okay! What a scary ordeal.

                                                        Viewing 26 reply threads
                                                        • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                                                        Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Help! A dog just attacked my rabbit!