VARIOUS CONCERNS

[JordanW]

Hi everyone,

Just to provide some background, I am a first time rabbit owner. I am currently living in Peru in the city of Cusco (not known for it’s high standard of animal cared). I was walking by a market about 5 days ago and came across a woman selling rabbits. There was about 8 rabbits for different sizes crammed into a glass shelf and I felt particularly sorry for the small black rabbit (now mine) being toppled. I asked her how old he was and she told me 6 weeks, while I didn’t know a thing about rabbits this sounded awfully young. I bought him and went straight to a vet.

The vet gave him an injection and made him swallow some drops of two different medications (apparently all of this for mites and worms). I was very concerned about the wet fur on the right side of his cheek. The vet rubbed some antibiotic something or rather on it and then cleaned it. However, the fur didn’t become any less wet. He told me to come back if the problem persisted. He told me to feed him a mix of pallets, leafy greens  and hay. I cannot find hay anywhere, I have been to multiple markets without any luck. I provide him with fresh (bottles water as tap water here is horrible) everyday. He has been eating fresh alfalfa and pallets. I am moving to Lima in a week or so (I can purchase imported Timothy Hay there), but his poo has become sticky and is sticking to his chest – which I keep removing.

I am finding things rather impossible here. I created a makeshift cage for him as a temporary solution (approx 80cmx80cm) but paper based little is not available here and he just seems to poo everywhere. Also I have been taking photos and he doesn’t appear to ever eat the poo he is supposed to. His mouth has become so wet all the fur it matted in bunny dreads and I can see exposed skin and pellet dust is stuck to it and I can’t wipe it off. I spoke to the vet (a good friend of mine has had rabbits for many years) and she suggested having his teeth checked and the matter fur removed. I asked the vet about this and he seems to think I am over worried for just a rabbit. No one can tell me where to get hay either.

If you could provide me with further advice for the constantly damp and matted fur, sticky poo, hay substitute (temporary) and bedding (I can get straw either so he currently sleeps on a blanket which I check regularly to make sure he’s  not nibbling).

He is still very energetic, drinks a lot of water, eats a lot. He’s currently bouncing on my chest trying to get my attention. He’s very friendly, hasn’t been aggressive in any way and seems quite excited to see me when I get home. He’s always by my side. I really want to get these problems sorted as best I can with whats currently available. I am very attached to him already.

Thanks so much for all your help.

[Bam]

Thank you for taking this rabbit in. Can you get fresh grass? Hay is dried grass. It must be pesticide-free though and picked somewhere where there are few animals (risk of parasites and disease in the poop and pee of other animals).

His cheek problem is the most serious issue right now. Dental problems are a common cause, but he seems a bit young for that. How does the eye on the affected side look? Pictures would be great. If you can’t upload them, pm me and I’ll try to help.

[JordanW]

Quick update, he just lifted his head up to an angle I can see under it. The fur under his chin is very thin and also matted

[ThorBunny]

Aw, poor bun! He is lucky to have such a concerned owner!

I agree that the cheek problem is probably the most concerning, it’s hard to say what it might be without seeing it, could you post a picture? Has he been back to the vet since the first trip about it?

As far as diet goes, for young buns he should eat alfalfa hay anyways so don’t stress about getting Timothy right away! I think most recommend feeding alfalfa to growing buns under 6 months of age in addition to pellets. He shouldn’t get any leafy greens until about 3 months of age, these could be what is upsetting his digestive system and causing messy poops! I would recommend cutting out all treats and greens, then seeing if that restores his poops to normal.

[Wick & Fable]

The wet fur on one side seems like drool, which as people have said, may be a dental problem on that side. While 6w is young, it could be from various factors that something is malformed or growing in an odd direction on that side.

It’s a common sentiment for, even the most caring of vets, to say you’re “worrying too much” over a rabbit. Vets with little experience with rabbits kind of group them as being “wild”, hence they’ll get over whatever is ailing them if you treat them right; however, domesticated rabbits, like your friend here, is not going to spontaneously get better. Don’t be afraid to stand your ground. If there is another vet, specifically exotic, around your area, get their advice as well. I feel that with rabbits, there are so many more negative health affects which can lead to death/serious injury if not treated identified in a timely manner. This also mainly comes from the fact that rabbits are “silent sufferers”, in that they don’t really have a reliable way of expressing exactly where or why they feel ill, if at all.

With a clean towel, you can help dry his fur if he’s okay with it. Wick is a bad bowl-drinker, so his chin fur is always wet and such, so when it’s really bad and I just think he looks terrible (haha), I wipe him a bit.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[JordanW]

So, I took him back to the vet today. Unfortunately, Lazzy Vet in Cusco is the only recommended one. The discharge is definitely from his nose. The vet looked (without X-Ray) at his teeth an guaranteed me it’s not anything to do with them. He thinks it may be an infection in the sinus or the like. He was given four different injections and I was told to return in two day. The vet thoroughly cleaned his fur which has almost entirely removed the odour from food stuck there. I am moving to Lima tomorrow as I had a sudden change of work contract. I am very nervous as I can only ‘sneak’ him onto the 22 hour bus ride. Horrible I know, but the bus won’t carry him nor airline. I bought a VIP seat with a curtain so I can at least free him from his carry case during the night for a stretch. I have a friend who’s friend is a vet and quite experiences with bunnies. I hope the shots do some good and that she can find a solution once there.

She has suggested once he is fit and well she may just shave the matting and let the hair grow. At least in Lima, Alfalfa and Timothy hay are available amongst the many other things I can’t buy here.

[Bam]

He might have to be on oral antibiotics for a while, in case the shot of abx doesn’t eradicate all of the bad bacteria – sometimes a sinus infection needs time to clear up.

I hope you get to Lima safely. We’d be very happy for updates. Lucky little rabbit to be found by you.

[JordanW]

I am sorry to inform you all, but my young man passed away suddenly. I don’t want to describe the details in the forum, but I am now one of the unlucky few that heard the ‘scream’ – your advice has all been much appreciated.

[ThorBunny]

I’m so very sorry to hear about your loss. **Binky free little bun**

[JordanW]

I am rather angry now. A friend of mine contacted his vet in Lima (much better qualified) and after hearing about his age and weight and how many injections he was given of different antibiotics in the one evening, it is her professional opinion that being vastly overdosed was the cause os such a rapid onset of symptoms then death. I am quite angry! Thank you all for taking the time.

[Tim&Alfie]

I am so sorry for this loss. An inexperienced vet can be dangerous! You seem very eager and willing to provide a bun with the proper care. If you eventually feel ready, I suggest getting another bun. Take it to an experienced vet (your friend seemed to know what she was talking about), and the people on this forum will be more than happy to help you get over this tragic ordeal and provide you with advice.

[Bam]

JordanW, that’s even sadder. I’d have been so angry too. Rabbit-safe antibiotics and the correct dosages are listed by Medirabbit and readily available online, no subscription needed.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so very sorry for this awful ordeal you both suffered.

[Theo&Mickey]

I’m so sorry to hear of your loss, Jordan, you did so much to help this little bunny and I’m sure you two became very fond of each other in a short time. It’s natural to be so angry and hurt with the fact the vet might have given him something wrong, and hearing him suffer with the scream must have been soul shattering. I’m so sorry. When you get to Lima, will you think about rescuing another rabbit from an unfortunate situation, when your heart has healed a bit, and since you have all the resources there to care for it? I hope that another bunny will find a way into your heart and home again.

[meridiian]

This is such a sad outcome. Heartbreaking. I’m so sorry for both of you. That little bunny was lucky to meet you and I’m sorry his time with you was so short.

You deserve to be a bunny parent and I wish you all the very best. xx

[Author]

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