Help! Bonded Pair Turns Aggressive!

[dlscanne]

So i recently got a baby male rabbit named Winston for my adult female Franklin (yes, FEMALE, don’t let the name fool you).  They got along great after it was clear to both rabbits that Winston was extremely submissive and Franklin was dominant.  They’ve been free range together for over a month with nothing but love for each other.  I rarely saw the two apart, and Frank started “flopping” on her side with contentedness, something she never did  before.  I should also mention that they are neutered and spayed.  Also, Frank is a medium sized lop, and Winston is a small lionhead breed

Winston just turned 4 months old, and right about at that time I woke up at 7am to a loud commotion coming from the room where they are free range.  I figured they were just noisily playing, but got up to check anyway.  To my horror there was fur all over the place, which surprisingly appeared to be mostly Frank’s fur.  They both looked at me for a moment, breathing heavily, then locked into a ferocious battle.  I quickly separated them (Winston went into a large cage I have set up)  and then assessed the damage.  Winston was fine, but seemed extremely aggressive, and was “honking”.  Franklin cowered in a corner, and I found that she had several bites and scratches, although nothing was too serious.  Thank goodness I was home!

 After some research I realized that this is all probably because of Winston coming into adolescence.  He is a little skiddish but otherwise nice to me, but becomes aggressive and still tries to bite  Frank whenever she sniffs around the cage.  It’s like a light switch went off….I joke that it’s like he was infected with rage (from the movie 28 days later).
 
I guess I already know the cause, but I’m looking for a little insight from anyone who might have experienced this before….Do you think Winston will calm down in a few months so that I can re-introduce them?  Do you think Franklin might harbor some hard feelings towards Winston forever?  I was  happy how they were getting along and this is really bumming me out.  I read that some male rabbits still have raging hormones for a few months after being neutered, but then calm down.  I’m hoping this is true for Winston. 

[Beka27]

welcome here! it does sound like they are re-evaluating who is dominant in the relationship. this can happen from time to time over the lifetime of the pair. if they are badly fighting right now i would separate them for a short time and do structured bonding sessions with you supervising, in a neutral area, and keep them short and sweet.

how long ago was he neutered? did you neuter him yourself, or did he come to you neutered? where did you get him: petstore, rescue, craigslist, etc?

[dlscanne]

I’m embarassed to say that I did get Winston from a pet store…. I was getting Franklin’s food (I did have her spayed myself)  and immediately fell in love with the little guy.  I waited a week before getting him but ultimately decided he needed to join the family…Anyway he was advertised as being neutered, but I took him to my rabbit vet anyway to get checked over and she confirmed that he had been neutered. 

[Beka27]

okay good! that’s why i asked. i have heard too many horror stories of folks spending big money on neutered buns and they turn out not to be neutered… i’m glad you have confirmation tho that he has been “done” for a fact. that would have been my first thought b/c those hormones really kick in at about 4 months with males…

and please don’t be embarrassed!  what matters is that you’re providing him with a great home, a lovely girlfriend (if only they would stop the bickering… lol!) and lots of love.  we all have thebest intentions, but the stupid petstores make it so darn hard with those cute furry faces staring up at you…

speaking of cute furry faces, do you have any pics you’d like to share of your crew?

[dlscanne]

Thanks for the support!  They are my boyfriend’s rabbit’s too, and he tries to care about these things but it’s really me who does the fussing over them   My bun bun’s full names are Franklin Delano Rabbitsvelt and Winston Church-hare.  Like in the House Rabbit Handbook, I got Franklin pretty naively and just “decided” she would be a boy.  Luckily I’ve been an avid animal lover since birth and did a lot of research, and was delighted at what an amazing pet Franklin turned out to be! 

I’m a senior in college, so luckily I have a few weeks off coming up, and I’m only working part time, so I’ll be able to spend lots of time trying to mend their friendship.

Hope these pics work…(before the drama)

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[Beka27]

BEST NAMES EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

LMAO! i love it! they are both so cute! Franklin looks less than thrilled in the first pic, but boy is she a beauty!

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