Stress, Bonding, and GIstatis

[theshrew24]

So, my bun Albus just got diagnosed with GI stasis, and the vet provided me with some meds, gas relief, and critical care. I am trying to limit the amount of stress he is under, but I am also currently in a bonding process with him. He and his new bunny companion, Tonks, hit it off the moment they met, and I was able to bring them home together four days ago. Up until today, I had them set up in the kitchen (neutral territory).

I really think, in addition to all the traveling and bunny-dates, that being corralled in the kitchen was a stresser for him, because he is used to having full range of my apartment. The first time I tried them in my living area (confined to an X-pen), Albus got sort of cranky and started excessively humping and pushing Tonks, so I took a step back and continued in the kitchen. They behaved like a perfectly bonded pair as soon as I got them into neutral territory.

My question is: how do I balance giving them more range so that Albus feels more at home in his own home and therefore less stressed while continuing to move forward in the Albus-Tonks bonding process? 

[Luna]

I’m glad your buns are getting along . I don’t really know anything about bonding, but I know it takes time, so I think it’s good to keep using the kitchen for awhile since it’s only been 4 days. And Luna sends recovery vibes for Albus ((((Albus)))).

[Azerane]

This is a tricky one. Can you extend their area of the kitchen into the lounge room with an x-pen bit by bit? That way they’re not just suddenly in a different area that stimulates Albus to mount etc, but it’s short of just a little addition of space that will hopefully have Albus be less stressed, but also slowly introduce them to that other territory.

[theshrew24]

@Azerane, I think that’s a really good idea. I went ahead and reshaped their space so that they were half neutral territory (tile flooring) and half living space (carpet). They’ve been like that for an hour now, and both are loving the carpeted space. Albus is a bit happier now…I really think he just wants to be HOME.

Does anyone know if I should stop the medicine once he starts eating, or continue the meds for the 3-5 days regardless? He didn’t eat breakfast (I gave him critical care as instructed), but he was much more eager about dinner tonight and even nibbled on some pellets. He doesn’t seem to be in any pain, either.

[Luna]

Which medicine? (“…the vet provided me with some meds, gas relief, and critical care.”) The critical care or something else?

[theshrew24]

Update: Albus is doing a lot better! I ended up putting them half in neutral, half in carpeted territory, and then I started letting them both out in increments. They started acting like normal, bonded rabbits by Friday, and Saturday morning I did the last dosage of meds. Both buns are back to eating normally.

I think not having free roam of his house really stressed him out.

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By Kate on 3/27/2017 10:24 PM

Update: Albus is doing a lot better! I ended up putting them half in neutral, half in carpeted territory, and then I started letting them both out in increments. They started acting like normal, bonded rabbits by Friday, and Saturday morning I did the last dosage of meds. Both buns are back to eating normally.

I think not having free roam of his house really stressed him out.

That’s wonderful Happy bonding! 

[Author]

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