My Bunny Issue

[EdgarWabbit2]

I have a 2 year old dwarf rabbit named Edgar whom I’ve have for about a month. He’s eating and drinking normally but the last couple days he’s been really spazzy and nippy. He bit me quite a few times while trying to pet him (this is only recent and is not his normal behaviour). When I go to pet his back he makes this weird soft grunting noises, his anal scent glands are really smelling too and he WILL NOT let me clean him! He kicks and kicks if I try and put him upright, and won’t let me trim his claws! He’s active though, digging at my t shirt on the floor..bit a hole through it -.- please help with any guidance or opinions

[Roberta]

Is he neutured ? It sounds like the behavior of an intact bunny who is very confident in his surroundings.

[Sindri]

I agree with Roberta. I was going to also ask if he was neutered.

[EdgarWabbit2]

He is neutered odd enough. I tried cleaning his bum today with a Qtip and found the bottom of his tail a tad dirty, then I found anal discharge which was a gooey looking, FOUL smelling substance which kind of had the same consistency as a booger, but brown. I honestly don’t know what to do…I’ve only had him for a month. 

[LBJ10]

Yeah, that stuff is nasty. How long ago was he neutered?

[EdgarWabbit2]

I don’t know much about his past unfortunately, as he was unwanted by the previous owners. I assume at the peak of his maturity. Also. the earliest I could book him for the vet is Tuesday  Does any of this seem urgent at all?? He also has begun digging at the floors of his hutch with his claws although their is nothing to dig at! He does the same with blankets and clothing. He bit me again last night, and I think he hates me now for traumatizing him whilst carefully and gently cleaning his scent gland accumulation…or attempted to. He spazzed and kicked and ran away with heavy breathing. Ugh…

[LBJ10]

So he was neutered before you got him?

[EdgarWabbit2]

Correct

[LBJ10]

And you’re sure he was neutered? LOL Sorry, it wouldn’t be the first time something like that has happened.

[EdgarWabbit2]

Positive, his balls are gone.

[Sarita]

Is this behavior when you are reaching into his cage?

[EdgarWabbit2]

He will do it when I have to grab him out of his cage to clean it when he isn’t cooperating, but still does it even if he’s out. Great, now he has dried (what I assume) is poop, all under his tail and around his bum (like his fur in the area is all matted and hard)! Do they clean this themselves?? 

[FooFoosMommy2]

I would suggest a button bath to clean his bottom, just to make everyone comfortable. Good job booking a vet appointment, in case anything is wrong. As far as his behavior goes, you said he’s only been with you a month, right, and you don’t know much about his life previous to you? My Yoshi had a hard time before I met her (neglect and mistreatment) and was very wary and distrustful of contact with myself and my husband- she would box, lunge, and Hite if we tried to go into her space or touch her. She’s calmed down a lot, but this behavior still flares up if she’s having a bad day. It might be something you need to work through with him. We did lots to reassure her, making sure she 100% never ran out of hay/water (some of her neglect was being deprived of these things ) and forcing her to interact with us in a small, neutral space, much like you would with bonding two rabbits. Also, when he bites, make sure you let him know it is not ok. Hope any of that helps

[EdgarWabbit2]

Thank you for the reply Tuesday isn’t coming fast enough :$ I just need to slowly and patiently work with him (especially litter training him which will be a pain) so he can get as comfortable with me as possible. My Edgar does have very grumpy days where he won’t let me take him out of his cage for a little stretch and exercise and grunts at me and even lunges. Yea hay is SO important, I was flabbergasted to learn he was rarely fed hay before. I’ve grown on him so much the past month and I’ll continue to do everything I can for him <3 

[FooFoosMommy2]

I apologize for all the typos, I’m still getting used to the new phone

[Sr. Melangell]

If he is neutered it might not be so long ago and like my Olly he suddenly bit me and threw things about in his cage and kicked thumped, wouldn’t let me touch him and this was suddenly out of the blue, I called the emergency vet, they said it was hormonal and to give it time, I’ve had early morning wake up calls with his tantrms, stay calm and get him to the vet, hope all goes well.

[Author]

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