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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum BEHAVIOR Bunny behavior after vet stay

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    • Waldo
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        Hello! This is my first post here.

        Yesterday afternoon Waldo came home from a two night vet stay to treat a bout of GI stasis. He is doing well now.

        Since he’s come home he’s been acting like he’s mad – I am sure he is and also tired. He also seems to be relearning the house etc. Will this pass?

        I am trying not to hover too much. I want to try and get him back to our routines.

        I’m hoping that in a couple of days he’s more settled. This was the longest he’s been away from home since we adopted him 8 years ago.


      • Waldo
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          Any advice would be appreciated. He’s letting me pet him, etc but he still seems wary of his surroundings, etc


        • tobyluv
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            It sounds like Waldo is upset from having to stay at the vet’s, and he also is dealing with the after effects of the stasis. Being away from home while not feeling well and having medicines and food forced down you is not pleasant and can be overwhelming to a sensitive bunny. If he is eating well and pooping normally, just give him a little time to settle down and get back into his home routine.


          • Waldo
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              Thank you for your reply!

              He definitely had a rough few days. I will be as patient as possible!

              It sort of feels like when we first adopted him – like he needs to regain trust and a sense of how the house works. His last overnight vet stay was over 4 years ago and I don’t think it was nearly as traumatic.


            • Waldo
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                I spoke to Waldo’s regular vet today – the vet he was with over the weekend was an exotics vet at the ER facility – and he told me to call him if Waldo still seems surly etc. at the end of Thursday. He thinks the stress of everything has thrown him off and also that he might be very tired.

                I love him so and hate to see him hiding fro us or coming out to eat and running away. I’m generally an anxious person so I am sure he senses my upset as well.

                If anyone else has dealt with this, how do you keep yourself from hovering and being overbearing?


              • LittlePuffyTail
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                  Awww….poor boy. I suggest you just try to keep his routine as normal as possible.

                  I know they are different, but my cat just got back from a vet stay of over one week and it took him almost a week to get back to himself. It is a very stressful situation for an animal.

                  Hope he’s back to himself soon!


                • Waldo
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                    Thank you!

                    I was home from work yesterday and always work from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I go back tomorrow. I’m having someone come and look in on him tomorrow.

                    I’m just worried he won’t be his old self. I’ll love him regardless.


                  • Waldo
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                      A quick update. Waldo seems a bit better today. He did binky once or twice. It does seems like he’s still trying to figure out the old routines. He isn’t playing with his usual toys as much, etc. I’m just going to be patient and let him get adjusted.

                      I’ve been sitting on the floor with him when possible and petting him.

                      I’m trying not to crowd him, etc.

                      It. Is. So. Hard.

                      I feel sort of guilty about keeping him in the vet an extra night but at that point he wasn’t really pooping and was being weaned off the IV fluids. Hopefully the second night’s stay didn’t break our bond with him.

                      I will say that his appetite and pooping and drinking are back to normal.

                      Now I just need to be patient for the personality stuff.


                    • LittlePuffyTail
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                        I’m sure he’ll snap out of it. He’s also dealing with crazy hormones right now and may not be feeling himself because of it.


                      • Waldo
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                          He’s shedding now too and that makes him super grumpy. Is that what you meant by hormones?

                          Right now he’s relaxing in the middle of the floor. He isn’t sitting in corners or under the one table we have – those are his classic “leave me alone I don’t want to be near you – spots.

                          I have been petting him a lot and sort of showing him where all his stuff is. Luckily he remembered where his litter box and water bowl are!


                        • LittlePuffyTail
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                            I’m sorry to cause confusion….I was up late when I read your post. I didn’t even catch the reason he was at the vet. I assumed he was there for neuter.

                            But some bunnies can def get grumpy while they are shedding. I had a little girl who would have major mood swings during a molt.

                            How is he doing now?


                          • Waldo
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                              No problem!

                              He seems less reclusive and more inquisitive. I’ve called the vet (I’m sure he’s tired of hearing from me) and he feels that nothing I’ve told him is troubling. Waldo had a traumatic few days, etc. He’s also not a young bun anymore and that might be a factor.

                              His appetite and pooping are completely normal again. Thank goodness

                              I just need to be more patient and just let him be.


                            • Meesh
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                                I know when I take my buns for a car ride (to visit family for a few days and come back, I have to take them with me… ) they act as if they are angry at me for a few days after we get back home and then they go back to normal. I went on a trip a few months ago, and to cause the least stress (i didnt want to put them through the car ride if I didnt have to) I had a friend come to my house and bun sit in their home while I was gone. You would not believe how horrible they acted when I got home it made me never want to leave them again. I do not think they were being fed enough hay, which caused problems, but they both acted like they hated me when I got back, and they were like this for weeks (as if I just bought them). They would stomp when I went close and they would whimper if I tried to extend my arms at them too quickly, and hide under their platforms in their cages (even though they have free roam). After a few weeks though they slowly went back to themselves.. it was a hard and painful process of accusation and depression though (accusation of possibly mistreatment and depression that my buns were depressed and scared… ). But now they are better than ever, binkying often and giving kisses and jumping up to my lap (and being mischievous again… ). It is a long process, but if your bun is not physically hurting, then it should go back to normal soon.

                                Cheers!


                              • Waldo
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                                  I REALLY appreciate your response. It makes me feel a lot better. He was acting like he had no clue about us, etc – like you said sort of like he did when we first adopted him.

                                  He’s better today and seems to be less surly etc as days go by. I’m spending a lot of time just being with him but not crowding him.

                                  I’m being much more patient this week than I was last week. I think he can sense it.

                                  Thank you again.


                                • Meesh
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                                    It’s no problem. I just want you to know that it is normal (still upsetting..) that your bunny is seeming angry at you. It has been about a week now since coming back, thinking back to the first day back, can you see a lot of progress? Pick up signs of things your bun is okay with, adapting back to, and not okay with yet? (it is good to reflect on this to see what your bun will need to adapt quicker). It is good to just spend time with them. I was super upset about my buns acting this way, so I spent A LOT of time laying on the floor in their room and just browsing my phone (essentially ignoring them, and letting them come to me). I also read that it is good to walk around the room while they are out of their cages (walking past them but not to them) to let them know you aren’t coming after them, and that you are there. So I also cleaned up the room often, and moved their things (picked up their POOPS one by one!). The laundry is also in that room so I took the opportunity to do that as well. I think the biggest thing for me though was laying on the floor, and then when they were comfortable with that and coming to me, I stood on my hands and knees and let them go under/between my limbs, and then moved a little to give a pat here and there. I also gave lots of treats and had them come to me to get them. I essentially just tried to *make* them happy, and comfortable as much as possible.

                                    I hope your bun is happy soon!

                                    Cheers!


                                  • Waldo
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                                      Yes! All of this! I’ve been doing a lot of stuff you mentioned and I think it’s helping. He’s sitting on the rug in the middle of the floor with us rather than hiding in a corner or under a piece of furniture (that is what he did when he first came home). He’s also going to find me when I go upstairs (he’s not allowed up there generally). He’s also shown more interest in the things he usually plays with.

                                      Overall he’s much less grumpy. One thing you mentioned that has been really helpful: just walking around the room when he’s in it and going about my business but “ignoring” him. I’ve also been sitting on the floor with him and petting him. And, of course, giving him treats.

                                      Like you, I’m trying to make him as happy as comfy as possible. One thing that’s helped me, too, is resuming all of the routines that we have. I think he needs that. I know I do!!

                                      Thank you again for your reply. It really helped put me at ease.


                                    • Meesh
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                                        I am so glad that he seems to be going back to normal!

                                        I am glad my experiences are helping you with yours.

                                        Seems like it is a very similar case to mine to be honest. It sounds like your bun is getting more comfortable with you (especially if he is following you places!).

                                        Keep me updated on Waldo!

                                        Cheers!

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                                    Forum BEHAVIOR Bunny behavior after vet stay