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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A How to prepare a rabbit to stay with a sitter while we are on vacation???

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    • Krose
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        Hi there!

        My Fiancee and I have a harlequin mini lop he is a little over a year old and we adopted him in August. He spends part of the day in his cage and part running around our living room. We are going to Disney over Christmas break (my first time!) and were planning on having him stay with my parents.I am a little worried because our experience with him so far…

        In October he ran into some gut stasis, a vet visit, 2 days off work and some medication later he seemed like he was back to himself. He had a couple of small issues that he got over fairly quickly (less than a day) and did not require a vet visit. Then, about 2.5 weeks ago we went away for one night, our neighbor was checking in on him and feeding him. She said he seemed happy on Friday night and then less interested Saturday morning. I went through the treatment for stasis when we got home (metacam, raglan and critical care) and he started eating and pooping again Sunday afternoon. However the next day he stopped eating and pooping again. Felt like he had a full belly and just generally wasn’t feeling great so I took him to the vet. (different vet, same practice) She ran the gambit and his X-ray showed that his GI system was full of gas, much worse than the first time. Put him on the same cycle of meds, with the addition of infant gas-x. Around midnight he started pooping again and has been back to normal since. 

        The second vet thinks we may have not weaned him fully off the meds and that he still may have had a bit of something going on, which was accentuated by stress or something that caused the gas build up this time.

        We have not left him other than that night (just no reason to, my fiancee sometimes travels for work but since I’m a school teacher and also work Sundays I am usually homebound) and I worry about leaving him for a week. We brought him to my parents for a day on Thanksgiving and he did adjust to being there after a while, but we were there the whole time. I have two sisters that will give him attention, especially since they are both on break. His regular cage, towels and X-Pen are coming with us and he is staying in my youngest sister’s room. We are also bringing him a day early so we can be there and help him adjust.

        I guess I just would like some opinions on if there is anything else I can do to make sure he is as least stressed as possible and stays healthy while we are away. We love our little guy and want to keep him doing well. 


      • LongEaredLions
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        4482 posts Send Private Message

          Taking him over a day in advance and taking all of his normal furnishings is a great idea. Maintaining his normal routine (feeding times, cage set up, out of cage time, etc) is key. Do not wash his towels before bringing him-they will retain their familiar smell.
          I would call your vet and let them know that you will be gone and who will be caring for your bunny in case they need to bring him in. Supply them with simethecone and Critical care, as well as vet phone numbers. Enjoy your time at Disney!


        • Dubbsmama1
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          34 posts Send Private Message

            It is sad, but I do not really travel because I don’t like to leave my rabbit. I am, however, going to California the 8 to the 14. My boyfriend, who is Wubbie’s bunny dad is going to be at home so he is watching him. Have whoever is watching him buy curley parsley for if his poops get small. Have them run it under water and serve it to him wet. When I leave the house I put on cute movies or Christmas carol’s for him to listen to. I think I am even getting a nest cam for when I am gone since it is going to be a whole week. Sounds overboard, but I love my bunny! And worry he will get distressed without me around.


          • Krose
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              One of the things I mentioned when he was sick is that I wished I had a camera to watch him when I wasn’t home! My fiancee was semi on board but I don’t think with anything as expensive as Nest!

              He’s used to being alone during the day since my fiancee and I both work, I think that if he was stressed last time it was because he didn’t get the attention he was used to and am hoping to combat that by having my sisters around to play with him (and my Dad though he won’t admit how much he loves animals)

              Is curley parsley something I could add to his every day diet? Or should it only be used in special circumstances? He gets Romaine, Arugula 1/4 cup of pellet and free choice hay right now.


            • Jessica
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                I travel a fair amount for my job and in the brief 6 weeks ive had my bun ive had to travel three times already. Im vey lucky that my girls has not had tummy issues at this pint (knocks on wood). My first trip she actuallly went with me and we stayed in a pet friendly hotel, second trip she stayed with my parents and the third trip she stayed home with husband.

                The big things that ive found is make sure your bun is comfortable with where ever they are staying. My bun visits my mom weekly and we bring her pen (that she now climbs out of) and her sleeping cage. We then set up her pen the same way we do at home. My bun is super bonded to me, and we have found that giving her one of my shirts that ive worn makes all the difference. She will cuddle with that while Im away. Once im home i get the mad bun for about 15 minutes and then she climbs up and kissses my whole face, since i fail at staying clean according to bunny standards.

                If you are still looking at another green that may be safe consider dandelion leaves. Dandelions are supposed to be settling on the stomach, my bun loves them and eat them every day. I can also pick them up organically for $2 a bundle at my local grocery store


              • Dubbsmama1
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                34 posts Send Private Message

                  Wubbie does like both curley and Italian parsley. His main green is romaine, daily, as recommended by his vet. He used to like arugula, but not so much anymore. Sometimes kale as a treat, as well as dandelion greens. He isn’t a huge fan of carrots. So he gets romaine every day, and a few days a week I throw in either a parsley or dandelion. Bought him bok choy for the first time last night and he didn’t touch it. But parsley should not be given daily, just something different a day or two a week. But curley parsley is recommended to get their little bellies going in times are GI scares (from what I have learned) I go by this website’s list of healthy greens, veggies, and fruits http://rabbit.org/suggested-vegetables-and-fruits-for-a-rabbit-diet/

                  I just realized nest cams are very expensive. A friend of mine had told me they were $100 and they are at least double that. I am going to go on a little hunt tomorrow for something cheaper than connects to my cell phone. Sam’s Club has security cameras and things like that. BestBuy.com seems to have a few Motorola cameras that connect to wifi devices starting at around $87 which isn’t so bad, probably could compare for cheaper prices on amazon as well. There is also a discount baby surplus store by me as well that I am going to check out. Maybe even someone selling second hand on craigslist or ebay if you have the time!

                  Another thread like this says to leave something with our scent on it. So I am going to leave my day or 2 old flannel pajamas for him to snuggle up with.

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              Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A How to prepare a rabbit to stay with a sitter while we are on vacation???