Horrified bunny

[Jovanna]

We have a seven-year-old Holland lop who was given to us a few weeks ago. He has adjusted quite nicely. On most days he is allowed to come and go from his cage as he pleases. He enjoys roaming around the house and hopping after me. Tonight as I was trying to put him back in his cage he kicked so sharply that I let him go out of shock. He hit the top of his cage and then ran into a corner. Upon checking on him I saw that his paw was bleeding. He had snapped a nail and it needed to be cut. After cutting the nail I stopped the bleeding and rinsed his paw. As I was drying him off he struggled to get down again and ran into another corner. I unfortunately had to chase him. Upon getting him he screamed and immediately began shedding a large amount of hair. I am so sad to know that my bunny was this scared of me. He now has two bald spots on his back and refuses to come near me. If I come into the room he immediately hops into his house to hide. Is there anyway I can get his trust back? I do not want my bunny to be afraid of me!

I try to handle him as little as possible. But sometimes there are nights when I am going to bed and he still is not back in his cage and I have to put him in. And of course regular grooming requires me to handle him. How can I make these things less stressful for him so there’s less struggle?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Just time Maybe don’t handle for a little while-you are the bearer of food, toys and controller of ‘out time’ so he will continue to associate you with good things. Sit on the floor and offer petting when he comes close.

[Vienna Blue in France]

Bestest treats ever, save them for these moments….

I keep my raisins in a plastic Tupperware and make sure I shake it each time I get one out… my bun comes flying !!
(But not if she’s got a full tummy ! She has to be a bit hungry for them… and don’t give too many)

Absolutely agree with KaK, Leave well alone for him to ‘forget’ this incident… and let him come to you at his own pace.

I’ve tried forcing a bun once. It’s just not worth it. It’s like one step forward and 100 back !!

If things aren’t going well, don’t force it, go make a cup of tea and come back gently. ;o))

Good luck ! (and don’t forget, ALWAYS hold bun’s bum when lifting, they have VERY weak spines and if they kick out, their spine can break)

[Jovanna]

So I’ve decided to give him a break from interaction other than giving him food and water or litter box cleaning. However, I noticed he was walking (right, left, right, left) on his back legs rather than hopping. He did hop as well, but thats the first time I’ve seen him walk. Does this mean he’s nervous? Or could he possibly be in pain from his fall?

[Hazel0283]

I think as long as the bunny is eating and drinking normally and acting normally it’s probably normal since I have heard of stories of rabbit walking. Maybe he just haven’t shown everything to you since you got him couple weeks ago but if he is not eating or drinking you should bring him to the vet and also if he doesn’t hop at all and continues to walk you should bring him to the vet incase it was actually hurt. And you can also try having other people go to your bunny and see if he still walks like that with them. Hope other give you better advice

I’m sorry for the incident and hope it is nothing bad or big is happening but that is so freaking cute a walking bunny. I never saw a walking bunny before but just with me imagining my bunny walking is so cute

[Bam]

They actually shouldn’t walk. They should always move their hind legs together in a “hop”. Bunny tracks on the ground look like the above pic for this reason. 

So keep an eye. If he’s distinctly favoring one hind leg over the other, he may have sprained his leg or pulled a muscle. 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

They usually hop like Bam said. I’ve seen Kahlua ‘tip toe’ before-it’s a very distinct gait like you describe. I’m trying to remember what context it was in-I feel like on slippery surfaces but I’m honestly not sure.
But keep an eye -does he hop like normal at all or only this different gait? Are you able to take a video?

[Punk]

My bunny does that walk when its slippery or if he is cautiously approaching something. ? i hope your bunny comes around soon.

[blubudgie]

It wouldn’t hurt to take him to the vet if he continues to walk like that or if it gets worse. just to be safe.

As for putting your bunny back in at night, have you tried other methods instead of picking him up? I try to lure my rabbit home with a treat or more often i use large pieces of cardboard to GENTLY herd her back into her cage to let her walk in on her own. Now when I come towards her holding the cardboard she usually gets the idea that she’s supposed to go back home. I use the posterboard that kids use for projects. I just cut them in half to make them shorter and easier to use.

Gaining trust back will take time. Sit next to him daily, give treats, eventually he may let you pet him. Once he lets your pet him all over you can try training him to be picked up using treats. I’ve never had success with it though, my rabbit refuses to be picked up.

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