Young age

[Stayathomemama28]

After much searching we came across a local breeder with a litter of Netherland dwarfs. We were on a waiting list for a litter ready in a month but after seeing a picture of Bruce we decided to go and see him. I feel like all my research went down the drain and I forgot to do everything I planned to do/ask. I held little Bruce and knew he would be mine! I couldn’t walk away! I think the only question I managed to ask was when he would be ready to come home and we were told he could leave with us that day if we decided to take him. Once we got home we had an email from the breeder with his birthday (February 14) and the brands of food she used (she sent some home with us to last a couple days) and other general information (if I ever do this again or if any of you read this and can relate…write down your questions and bring it with you so you don’t forget!) I was pretty surprised to find out he was only 5 weeks (now 6 weeks). So I am worried about his age…and Google has a lot of mixed information! He has adjusted really well and was well established on food and had been weaned (but not for that long). I am hoping someone can give me some insight on this. What do I watch for? I know stress is the biggest concern when a baby leaves his litter too young. What are the risks? Long term risks? Any information would be great! (I only ask be tactful with the scarier information out there. Anyone who has experience with a younger bunny I would love to hear about it!)

It has only been 8 days but he is such a sweetheart. He loves to run…and climb (which was a surprise). He eats well, the dog barking doesn’t faze him (oh ya, I have a dog and three kids under 6 yrs) and he has been great with the kids (and they have been great with him). At night time I go hang out with him, just us and he climbs up on me and gives kisses ( between doing binkys and running around the room of course). He even “purrs” when I have him snuggled on my chest and pet his head.

Any experience on this would be great!

[Azerane]

Sometimes the best intentions just go out the window when we see a cute animal It’s tough to resist.

Since he seems to be doing well I think you probably won’t have any concerns about his young age. At 5 weeks most, if not all kits are weaned, the remaining weeks are simply for development and socialisation and preventing illness from stress of moving etc.

Moving can often be a big stress situation for rabbits and can cause health issues, most commonly GI stasis. The other concern you have is to just take care with any new foods you are introducing. Only give tiny amounts of new foods to test them out, before slowly increasing the amount. Since rabbit digestion is affected by the bacteria in their gut, new foods that the bacteria is not used to digesting can cause issues.

But back to the point. Most of the risk with young age is they are more susceptible to illness, there shouldn’t be much in the way of long term risks. Risks long-term are much more prevalent when the kits have been weaned too early which doesn’t give them time to develop the correct gut flora. Or more obvious in species like cats and dogs where the socilaisation with mother and siblings is vital to their development.

Just keep a close eye on poops and any unusual behaviour which can indicate illness.

[Beka27]

He sounds like such a sweetheart!

If you do not have a rabbit vet yet, start to research ones in your area. He will need to go in for his initial checkup with the next month or so. And at that time, the vet will give you info regarding neutering.

Keep an eye out for sudden weight loss, diarrhea, and lethargic behavior. These can all be signs of Coccidia. If he has that (it is common in young bunnies), the vet will give you a prescription and that should clear it up. If it is not treated in time, it is fatal.

[Bam]

As the others have said, young buns (like all young mammals) are somewhat sensitive, but since he was weaned when you got him, he’s had all the important stuff he needed from his mother’s milk, and now his immune-defense and GI microbiota is “on its own” – as it should be. Keep an eye on input and output (appetite and poop). You can weigh him weekly in a bowl on kitchen scales and note his weight down to keep track of his progress. You and your family and dog will socialize him.

[Stayathomemama28]

Thanks you for the information (and the reassurance)! I can’t help worrying about the little guy. He eats really well and his poops are normal. I didn’t think to weigh him but that is a good idea! I have noticed growth even though it has only been 10 days. He had a bit of a runny eye when I first brought him home but cleaning it with a warm water and flushing it with cooled camomile tea seemed to clear it up within the first three days. I have been researching Vets. I live in a rural area so it is hard to find a Vet with experience with Rabbits. The closest Vet so far is an hour away and between the stress of the drive and the stress of the Vet appointment, I am worried about how that will go. Is there normally a first check up and then an appointment to be neutered? If that is the case I might just bring him to the closest vet in town to do the basic check up and bring him to a specialized vet for the neuter.

[kmurphy]

My rabbit vet wanted to do an initial check up before scheduling the neuter to make sure my boy was in good health. We also did some blood work as he was a little be older (2.5 years old) to rule out any obvious issues before going under anesthesia. I would call and see what their protocol is to check

[Bam]

I would also recommend you get him vaccinated against myxomatosis and rabbit hemorrhagic virus since you are in the UK. Those diseases are really bad and very common, esp myxo. Talk to your vet about what age is suitable to start vaccination. There is a double vaccine now, (Nobivac) so it’s only one jab/year. I’m in Sweden so I vaccinate my buns yearly with that vaccine.

[Stayathomemama28]

I am actually in Canada. Are those vaccines recommend based on location? Orignally I was planning on making him an appointment for when he is 3 months. I think I will just call a few clinics and see what they say.

[Azerane]

Posted By Stayathomemama28 on 3/30/2016 6:58 PM

I am actually in Canada. Are those vaccines recommend based on location? Orignally I was planning on making him an appointment for when he is 3 months. I think I will just call a few clinics and see what they say.

Yes, location based for the vaccines. Anyone in Europe and UK needs both vaccines, in Australia rabbits need Calicivirus vaccine (myxo one is banned). In the USA, and probably Canada, as the wild rabbits are cottontail rabbits which don’t spread the diseases, you don’t need the vaccines, and most vets probably won’t give them though you could probably still get them if you really wanted (as sometimes you get a rare case of those diseases in USA). Vet will be able to tell you for sure though.

[Bam]

Oh sorry, got your location wrong! You don’t vaccinate for those diseases in Canada =)

[Author]

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