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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A I Rescued Three More Rabbits!

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    • guineapig724
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        Molly and Fudgeo are doing very well. They now live with Bobbi and Oreo. They get along great! Bobbi mostly hangs out with Oreo, And Molly with Fudge. They do all sleep and eat together though. They are all free range, but usually stay together in the same room. All but one of the kits found homes. I named him smurf, as he used to always sleep on the same blue towel. I took it away when it started turning his feet and stomach blue! He is buddies with Kiwi. I’ve taken Kiwi to the vet multiple times since he was born. I have a fear that there is a reason Molly kicked him out of the nest, but nothing has turned up. I’m glad he survived though.

        Anyways, I went to a livestock auction with my husband and parents. They are looking for a new horse to join the herd, my husband loves going to stuff like that, and invited me along. I was looking at the animals, and came across a cardboard box sitting on a table. Inside, were six little black rabbits. They were shaking, and super skinny. They were dirty and looked very ill. One was drooling, and another looked dead. I found the owner of the rabbits, and asked him why they were in such awful condition. He told me that they were meat rabbits(*shudder*). I said no one would buy them, sure enough people have enough common sense to not eat sickly rabbits! What if they had a parasite or disease! He agreed, and sold them to me for $5. I got my family, and dragged them to the rabbits. I begged them to leave the auction early, and we rushed to the car, to take the buns immediately to they vet. It was a 2 hour drive to my local vet(the auction was pretty far away from my house). I didn’t touch the rabbits, just covered them with my coat so it was dark, and secured them in the back. We got to the vet, and took them out of the box on the vet table. The one that had looked dead, sure enough, had passed away. Another one had also died during the car ride. I’m still crying, they were young rabbits, if they hadn’t been abused like that, they would have lived. The other rabbits are staying at the vet overnight, my vet wasn’t sure what exactly was wrong with them.

        About a 1/2 hour ago, my vet phoned me, and said another bunny had crossed rainbow bridge. He thinks they have an internal parasite. He cleaned the remaining buns up, and is keeping them warm in an oxygen tank. He said they are all drooling, and one had a seizure. What could this be! If they survive the night, I will drive them down to my specialist tomorrow. I feel awful for these rabbits, I can’t do anything for them right now!

        On a side note, they didn’t look like meat rabbits. They are dutch sized, all completely black. I wonder why they were being sold as meat rabbits?


      • LBJ10
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          Oh dear, the poor things. The symptoms are pretty vague, so it would be hard to tell. Since they were living in horrible conditions, it could be something from another animal like raccoon roundworms (can cause neurological symptoms). It could also be something like EC. Hopefully the vet can stabilize them long enough to find the cause of their symptoms.


        • tobyluv
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            Thank you for caring so much about these poor little rabbits, and for rescuing them. It must have been horribly upsetting for you to see them in that condition. I hope that the vet will be able to help the 3, and that they will be okay.


          • guineapig724
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              Unfortunately, another one has passed away. One of the twp left has started seizing, my vet did give it a med that is supposed to stop the seizures, and it is slowly working. I can’t remember the name off hand, I’ll ask when he calls to update me next time. My vet is so amazing, his clinic closed like 2 hours ago, but he is staying with them until they are out of danger. He suggested that it is roundworms, but thinks that the second one to die actually had a heart attack. He thinks they are feral! He said that they must have been neglected to the point where they are afraid of people. I got the guy I bought the rabbits from’s number, so I am going to call him after I type this, and ask them if they’ve been exposed to something. This is kind of a bad situation, he said he was a “breeder”. I bet he has other rabbits on his property that are in pretty bad condition. Makes me mad that people treat animals so badly. I keep getting stuck with mistreated animals!
              Oreo, Molly, Fudge and the kits! Not to mention quite a few non-rabbit animals. At least I can provide them with good care, otherwise it would be a real problem!


            • Mikey
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                If he has other rabbits there, i would call the cops. Assuming you live in america, anyway. I would hate to see what his other animals look like Thank you for buying the little bunnies and trying to make it work for them. Your vet is also wonderful for staying late to make sure they are safe ((((healing vibes))))


              • Q8bunny
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                  There’s a special circle in hell for people like that guy. I agree with Mikey. Call the cops on the seller.
                  Thank you for coming to the rescue again and thanks for the update on Kiwi and family.
                  ((((((pull through, bunbuns))))))


                • guineapig724
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                    The vibes must have helped, I had just finished reading your post, when the phone rang. It was my vet, saying that the buns have a pretty good shot at surviving the night! They are on heat pads in the oxygen tank. Both on IVs for hydration. I did talk to the guy I got the rabbits from. He said he had 50 breeding rabbits. I though about calling the cops, but decided with my local animal shelter. They can deal with the problem, if they need to see the pictures that my vet took, then they are more than welcome to look. My vet took pictures of the condition that they came in, and the deceased buns. That was probably a pretty good idea, now we have proof! I’m going to drive the rabbits to my specialist tomorrow morning, I already have an emergency appointment booked, the vet there can probably figure out exactly what’s wrong with them. My vet is storing the deceased rabbits in the clinic freezer, for further proof of neglect. I would like to burry them when this whole thing is over, but my vet probably wants them to perform an autopsy on. I guess I could post a memorial in the rainbow bridge section of this forum instead. Wish us luck for the appointment tomorrow!


                  • tobyluv
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                      I’m sorry that another bunny has died, but glad that it sounds a little more hopeful for the remaining two. I agree that Animal Control should be called. This horrible breeder should be shut down. I’m hoping for the best for the two bunnies.


                    • Mikey
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                        Yay!!! Calling the shelter is a good idea too. I hope that guy gets shut down, fined, and arrested! I really hope hes never allowed to have any animal ever again as well

                        Perhaps you can have the ones who passed after the autopsy is preformed? Or ask for them to be cremated together to spread in a garden, instead. (((((good luck healing vibes))))) for tomorrows appointment. Please keep us posted


                      • guineapig724
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                          Both rabbits had to be very heavily drugged, anti-seizure meds and IVs for hydration. One bun had a minor cardiac ablation, but my vet saved the bunny. They both pulled through the night, my vet and two techs stayed overnight with the buns. They are not completely out of danger, so my vet asked me to drive to my specialist. We rigged a temporary IV post, some heating pads and blankets in the back of my suv. I did the drive at around 5:00 am, and were at the vets for 7:30, where she was waiting. They are staying at her clinic until she calls me. I drove to my parents house(they live in the city), and am waiting for a call from the doc. I’m so happy they survived the night! I’m really hoping it is something treatable.


                        • guineapig724
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                            Oh! I almost forgot! I called my local shelter/animal control, and they said they will go this afternoon and check it out, they will call me if there are more rabbits in poor condition.


                          • Q8bunny
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                              Promising news. Thanks so much for the update. Baby steps in the right direction for these little buns. (((double vibes)))


                            • HopsiclesMommy
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                                You are amazing for taking care of the bunbuns like that. I hope they get better quickly. I can’t wait to hear what happens to that guy. I hope they rescue the rest of the bunnies.
                                ((good luck healing vibes))


                              • LittlePuffyTail
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                                  Thank you so much for saving these babies. I can’t understand how anyone can treat any animal, but especially such a cute and innocent little one like a bunny, so terribly. I guess we have to be thankful for the good people like you.

                                  ((((Healing Vibes)))))


                                • guineapig724
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                                    Geez, I had a really long post typed out. I hit submit, and chrome crashed. Grr.

                                    So the guy I bought the rabbits from was the rabbit farm owners son. My animal shelter went out there this afternoon, to check out the condition of the rabbits. He only had ten breeding rabbits on his farm. Seven female, three male. Each rabbit had its own three sq foot cage. So pretty small cages, and wire floors, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought. I assumed it would be 100 rabbits crammed into a tiny pen in a filthy barn. The farm owner had been trying to get rid of his rabbits for a while. He had about 30 young rabbits living in a pen outside for two months. They survived on grass, hay and water. He then sent them with his son to the auction. They were crammed into a pen smaller than an xpen for more than five days. That’s when the raccoon roundworm started showing up. They lost all but six of the buns, who the son then sold to me. There wasn’t a whole ton of neglect, the son is being fined, as he didn’t supply the rabbits with an appropriate enclosure or water. The farm owner decided to surrender his rabbits to my shelter. My shelter didn’t have space for them, so they are living in my parents heated barn. The genders have been separated, each gender has it’s own 10x 10 horse stall, lots of hay, and water. They will be fixed, tamed and adopted out. None of the rabbits appeared pregnant or ill, but the vet will check them out tomorrow.

                                    The two rabbits that survived, have unfortunately been diagnosed with raccoon roundworm. They are on antibiotics and other drugs, but the survival rate is pretty tiny. Poor buns, I am at a loss for what to do. My vet says they are stable, but euthanasia is an option, if they start getting sicker, I won’t let them suffer. For now, as they are stable, I want to give them a chance to pull through. They are heavily drugged and in little pain.


                                  • Mikey
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                                      Yay for the son being fined! I feel bad for the dad who seems to not have known how badly his son treated those poor rabbits. Thank you so much for taking in all of the fluffy butts! I wish them, and you, the best of luck!

                                      Euthanasiaing (sorry for the spelling) them would be the right thing if they cannot get better or they seem to suffer too much. Im sure it means the world to them that so many people came to their rescue when they really needed it. Dont feel bad if it does come to that. I wish these two the best as well (((((healing vibes)))))


                                    • LBJ10
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                                        So sorry to hear this guineapig. I thought perhaps it was raccoon roundworm, but it’s so hard to predict these things through a forum format. As you know, prognosis is usually poor. I do hope the two remaining babies are strong enough to pull through. It really is a sad situation. I’m glad that the son was fined for something, even if it wasn’t for a more serious infraction. All it takes is hay contaminated with raccoon poo to get a raccoon roundworm epidemic.


                                      • Q8bunny
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                                          I really, really, really hope they pull through. Poor little mites…


                                        • Azerane
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                                            Really hoping for them that they can pull through. Also I think it’s amazing that your parents offered up space in their barn to house the rabbits when the shelter couldn’t take them all. And good on the farmer for surrendering them too I think. I know it should never get to that point, but it’s nice to see someone who when approached acknowledges that they are in over their head and accepts help.


                                          • tobyluv
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                                              Thanks to you and your parents for taking in all the rabbits remaining on that breeding farm. Now, that life is behind them, and they don’t realize it yet, but they will soon have homes and lives that bunnies should lead.

                                              I hope that the last 2 sick bunnies will make it.


                                            • MiNinoJack
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                                                Wow what a harrowing experience! I’m so sorry for the sick bunbuns, but at least you have saved others from the same fate or worse!

                                                You are really making a difference in their lives even if they don’t realize it. They are some lucky bunnies to have found you! Best of luck and I hope the sick ones beat the odds and pull through!


                                              • guineapig724
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                                                  A quick update on the 10 rabbits in my parents barn. They are all healthy, no pregnancies. No roundworms, they are all healthy and clean and eating well. They will be altered and adopted out. My parents are adopting two, they will soon be house rabbits!

                                                  As for the two I rescued, unfortunately, another passed on. We had to euthanize him, he was in so much pain. Having seizures and spasms. He was continually passing out, could hardly breath. After he had been euthanized, the vet did an autopsy immediately. The worms had reached his brain, I’m glad he didn’t suffer as much as he would have if we kept him alive. Poor bunny. As for the living one, my vet is actually going to do a surgery to see if she can remove the worms, I guess they are still in the intestines, so the survival rate is better if she gets them while they are still in the rabbits intestines. I’m very nervous, the surgery is scheduled to start at 4:15, that is only 11 minutes away! I’m at my husbands parents house, I’m super nervous. I’ll be very sad if we lose all six buns. At least it has a better chance than the other bunnies, the other buns had them in their brain and organs as well.


                                                • Mikey
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                                                    Awwww yay! Congrats to your parents for adopting two of them  Very happy to hear they were all healthy and given the ok for neuters/spays. I hope they will be adopted out fast 

                                                    Poor little boy. Its good you put him down then. Theres no happy living when youre in that much pain  Im sure hes binkying happily in the biggest yard he can ever dream. ((((((healing vibes)))))) for the tiny baby in surgery!!


                                                  • Q8bunny
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                                                      I’m in tears for the latest baby bun to cross the bridge, but am still rooting hard for the remaining baby. I hope the surgery is successful and he manages to recover from this ordeal. ((((((one vibe for every star in the sky))))))


                                                    • guineapig724
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                                                        Thank you so much for all your support through this awful ordeal. I really appreciate it, there aren’t many people in my community that own house rabbits. My parents are super excited to adopt two of the buns, they picked a girl and a boy. Both pretty white rabbits, I have to research the breed. I think they are probably a mix though.

                                                        Now for the other good news! The bunny that had surgery lived! I’m so shocked and relieved! I’m literally crying with happiness! She is in no way out of danger yet, still in critical condition, but she survived the surgery. The vet removed the worms that were luckily just in her intestines. She was then stiched up, and is now in a recovery cage at the vet. She has IV’s for hydration and nutrients, as she hasn’t eaten for more than 12 hours, and is in no condition to be force fed. She is still sleeping off anesthetics, and is heavily medicated. I’m so glad the worms were removed, she now has a fighting chance, and with the awesome care both vets have given her, that chance is much higher than it would have been without surgery. I’m having her stay at my specialists clinic for at least 5 days, I’m back at home, I had to take care of my other pets, but my vet gives me updates every few hours, and has some techs staying overnight to care for her.
                                                        My vet who performed the surgery sent me a picture of the worms that were removed from her. They look disgusting, kind of like very yellow, skinny spaghetti. Blegh, I’m glad he got them out!


                                                      • Mikey
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                                                          Gross D: Very glad to hear she survived! What a story to tell that bun will have when she can come home You will have yourself a little fighter on your hands


                                                        • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                            Just getting caught up on this thread. So thankful for you and your parents for helping these bunnies in need. So awesome your parent’s are adopting two. Are they rabbit people or did they just “catch the bug” from you?

                                                            Very sad to hear another baby has passed on and wishing remaining baby ((((Speedy Recovery Vibes))).


                                                          • tobyluv
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                                                              It’s very good to hear that the last bunny has gotten through surgery. Hopefully she will be the one to make it.

                                                              I don’t know how much Animal Control fined that horrible guy that was selling these very sick rabbits, but they should have given the money to you to help with all the vet bills. It’s wonderful that you are doing so much for all these rabbits.


                                                            • guineapig724
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                                                                More good news, bunny is stable and coming home tomorrow! I wanted her to stay until Friday, but as she is stable, drinking on her own, and is doing very well, we decided it would be better for her to have a nice quiet space to herself. She will be kept away from all other animals, except for onr aquarium, in our master bedroom. It is nice and quiet and warm there. I live about ten minutes away from my emergency vet, so she is in a good spot. My parents are SUPER excited about adopting rabbits. They have lots of other animals too, but I moved out last year, and they missed having Bobbi around. Bobbi’s such a sweet girl, everyone loves her. I think they caught the bunny bug from me?. When I asked if they had extra room in their barn, they jumped at the opportunity to foster some bunnies! My Mom spends hours out there, caring for and petting/socializing the buns. Next week they will all be fixed. The guy that was charged with neglect was fined for absolutely all the vet bills for these rabbits. Except for the surgery to remove the roundworms from the survivor bun, that was around $3000, but I don’t really have worries about vet bills, both me and my husband have six figure salary, stable jobs. Even if I didn’t, animals deserve everything you can give them. I still would have figured out how to pay that vet bill. The man who was charged is paying for bloodwork, exams, vaccines and spay/neuters for all the buns, plus speeding tickets that he had neglected to pay before. The owner of the farm seemed very surprised and angry at his son. The conditions his animals were kept in were pretty good. He had goats, sheep, pigs, horses etc, all were checked out by the rescue and deemed happy and healthy. His rabbits were in pretty good condition as well, but he just didn’t want them anymore. He offered to pay vet bills, and made a very generous donation to the rescue as well. He has come to visit the rabbits that are in my parents barn, he said he wanted to make sure they were being well cared for. He seemed very nice. I’m excited for the surviving bunny to live at my house, I would like to adopt her when she is healthy. I am having some trouble thinking of names though, I definitely want a name that reflects all she’s been through. The name Racoon seems kind of long though. Any ideas for names?


                                                              • guineapig724
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                                                                  Aha! After I submitted that post, two names came to mind! Roon, short for racoon, and Meeko, I think there was a raccoon in some movie named Meeko, It’s kind of a cute name too! Any other name suggestions?


                                                                • Mikey
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                                                                    Congrats on the little survivor bun! Its very cute your parents caught the bunny bug from you. My boyfriends mom had to bunnysit for us for a week one time and she would not stop sending us pictures of the babies. I swear she only left their room to sleep and eat, haha. Now shes thinking about adopting one over the summer. Its fun when family catches the bunny bug Very good that he was charged with all of the vet bills! I feel bad that his dad didnt know the bunnies were being treated so poorly by his son. Its very nice he is coming by once in a while to check on everybunny too. It seems like everybunny is well on their way to finding their furever homes and living happily ever after there. Thank you for doing all you have done for them

                                                                    I think Racoon/Roon/Roony would be a super cute name for the little bun


                                                                  • Q8bunny
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                                                                      I like Roon.

                                                                      Roon and Kiwi – your two little survivors (against all odds, I might add).


                                                                    • LBJ10
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                                                                        Hmm, Roon is a good name. And I’m so happy to hear her chances have greatly improved now. I hope she continues to get better and grows stronger. She must be a fighter, that’s for sure.


                                                                      • guineapig724
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                                                                          Roon is doing great, she is calm, and although I can tell she is afraid of me, she stays still. She has slept most of the day in a heated dog bolster bed, I think the bolster bed makes her feel safe. I’ve helped her eat critical care a few times today. I didn’t force feed her, but I put the syringe on her lips and she chewed it out of the syringe. My vet is doing a house call tomorrow to make sure she is doing well. Bobbi is always very curious toward newcomers, I closed my door to the room Roon is in, she has been scratching at it all day. I remember when I got Oreo, she chewed right through the door! She hasn’t with Roon though, I put a piece of plexiglass up against the door so she can’t get through!


                                                                        • LBJ10
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                                                                            I would definitely keep her quarantined for now. At least until the vet says it’s okay. I’m glad to hear she is still improving.

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                                                                        Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A I Rescued Three More Rabbits!