breathing/sleeping noises- worried? also: handling

[jayne fine]

So I have 2 main questions.

 1) I CAN NOT manage to pick my bun Millie up.  I’ve now had her about a year and a half and have never held her during that time.  I have “scruffed her” to move her off a bed a few times, and nudged her out of the way with feet/hands, but never picked her up.  I am TERRIFIED of hurting her.  Every time she struggles when I go to scoop her up I get nervous and let her hop away because I’m afraid she’ll break her back trying to get away.  How can I handle her in a way that doesn’t hurt her?  Are buns really so delicate that I would hurt her trying to restrain her, or am I over stressing?

 

2) she’s been doing a sort of breathing noise- I don’t know I would say wheezing but maybe sort of like snoring.  Her eyes also tend to be runny- not crazy runny but a little crusty gunk in the corners all the time.  She’s been the the vet recently, since before I noticed this, but I don’t think I remembered to bring it up.  They did listen to her breathing and everything, though.  Mostly it was a wellness check and to trim her nails because I can never handle her in order to do so.  She normally and everything, maybe looks a little scruffy but I think its just that she’s shedding again.  Should I be worried or do you think I’m over reacting?  can bunnies snore?  I think she’s probably fine but I’d never forgive myself if she died suddenly and I hadn’t looked into this.

[jerseygirl]

Yes, they can snore, some will more then others. Sometimes it’s due to their face shape. Is she on any bedding product that might irritate her eyes or respiratory system though?

Regarding handling, this video might help.

It’s easier to see then just have a verbal description. I pick up mine & hold slightly differently to the techniques in the video. I think this is a good starting point though. I like how they practice the lifting at table height. Maybe you could try that with your girl just so she gets accustomed to your handling, Then as you get confident and she’s less skittish, do this from floor level. They don’t hold the rabbit long in the video. If she’s too stressed, don’t try this for too long. And when you’re finished, let her jump into a litter box and lift that down to floor level so she can go do her own thing.

When you’re wanting to move her off the bed, giving a nudge is not a bad thing. You want to avoid picking her up where possible. My bun always knows when I’m prompting him to get down. It’s usually when he’s been bratty and chewing the bedding! I tap his butt and he’s hop down himself.
Avoid scruffing her. If she allows you to put your hand on her neck there, use that to your advantage to hold her still then position yourself to pick her up more safely. Scoop her in toward you first, then lift, supporting her body.

ETA: This is another good video:http://youtu.be/cG85IaEpw0U

I like how she covers putting your rabbit back down at the end of the tutorial.  If you ever feel like your loosing your hold and the rabbit is going to leap, get them close to a landing surface fast. If I’m standing, I usually squat down so they only go a shorter distance if they break the hold, Or I move over to the sofa or something. 

[vanessa]

My holland lop snores. It’s really cute, although I am always slightly concerned about it. The vet says his breathing sounds fine. He snores when he sleeps, and sounds normal when he is awake.
2 of my bunnies are super easy to handle. The other 2 are very difficult to handle. To the point where I don’t pick them up. If I need to move them, I corral them into the corner with their litterbox, put a cat carrier in the box (it’s a big box), they have nowhere to go so they have to go into the carrier, then I move them. I guess if I was super quick, I could grab Avalon. But I have to bundle him up and cover his face. If I hold him myself, I hold his face under my arm. He’s not too bad once I have him in my arms, but then he flees from me for the next 4 weeks. I don’t want to try picking up Morgana again. I’ll use the cat carrier for her, for sure. For nail clipping, I catch her in a towel and wrap her up. She fights, kicks, tries to jump out of my arms, it’s stressful. I have had her for two and a half years.
For the 2 easy to handle bunnies – I pick them up as they are facing the same direction I’m facing – so forward. My right hand goes under their arms/chest, left hand goes under their butt/back feet. I do it quick, firm (they sense yoru confidence), and I don’t hold them for long. Rather nudge instead of scruff. Bunnies nudge eachother, so it is something they understand.

I agree with Jerseygirl. Also – after picking up/moving your rabbit, give her a treat – always – to help her with positive associations.

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