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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 DIET & CARE Moral support?

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    • Mo
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      2 posts Send Private Message

        I just typed a message here and lost it! Ugh. Anyhow, thank you if you’re reading this. I had to take Violet to the bunny vet yesterday and she thinks it is stress related. I’ve been unsuccessfully trying to bond her. I believe it’s been too much for the both of us and I haven’t done it before so some elements were not done properly. So we did blood work and X-rays and things were not terrible, but I should give her critical care 3-4 times daily and it scares me so much. Violet’s fear is through the roof when I catch her and hold her down and I feel like it adds to the stress she already had! She is eating but it’s about half the usual amount.
        Basically I think I’m being a bad mom by not doing this as the doctor advised and letting my fear get the better of me. Has anyone felt like this? How did you get through it?


      • DanaNM
        Moderator
        8901 posts Send Private Message

          It is hard, but you do need to get her critical care in her if that is what the vet advised. Tough love!

          I have had to syringe feed and give injections for weeks before, and it sucks, but I do believe the bunny knows that you are helping them. I have cared for some very sick bunnies, and they are usually annoyed at me right after, but over time they have bonded with me much more closely. So, don’t worry about damaging your relationship with her, as she will forgive you, and will learn that she feels better after.

          it helps to speak calmly to them, breath slowly and deeply so you stay calm (as they react to your fear as well), and act as though you are giving an amazing treat.

          Some bunnies will eat critical care off a plate (mine will), and some also like how it tastes more when you mix in some canned pumpkin or a small amount of mashed banana.

          Bonding is very stressful, and sick bunnies are even more stressful, so feel free to keep posting here for support! We’ve all been through lots of these sorts of things!

          If you need tips on syringe feeding specifically, please feel free to ask. If you post more details about Violet’s health we can also offer more tips.

          . . . 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.  


        • sarahthegemini
          Participant
          5584 posts Send Private Message

            I don’t have a huge amount of experience but I did have to force feed Buttercup for a couple of days and she wasn’t thrilled but y’know what? Once she recovered, she was completely back to normal. She didn’t hold a grudge.

            Like Dana, I believe Bam had to force feed/administer oral medication for a few months and she felt she was more bonded to her bunny afterwards


          • Nutmeg
            Participant
            594 posts Send Private Message

              I agree with the above!
              I had to force feed my bunny the critical care for weeks and she HATED it – no licking it off a plate for her! And she hated being picked up.

              So what I did was put a towel on the ground and sat beside it… once she got on to the towel I would pet her and then quickly pull up the sides of the towel and wrap her like a burrito.
              Then I would carry her in her little burrito wrap and put her on the couch (you can put her up on a counter top too, but I was worried she would get out and hope off and hurt herself) and while she was on the couch I would kneel on the floor beside it.

              Then with her facing sideways (the direction of the length of the couch) I would turn myself sideways and use my arm closet to her to hold her against the side of my body – this also allowed me to use the hand of that arm, which I would use to lift her lip up if I needed to see into the side of her mouth – then I used my fully free arm to put the syringe into her mouth with.
              You just have to make sure you get it behind her front teeth. Then put it back far enough that she can’t spit it out, I just pointed it at an angle as I didn’t want it to go so far back that she choked on it either.

              Go nice and SLOW when pushing it in… little squirt, watch for her chewing and swallowing it, little squirt…
              and dont be disheartened if you end up with more on you and the bunny’s face than in her!

              Here is a great video that i used when trying to burrito wrap my bunny – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3okPKg9Fc8


            • Nutmeg
              Participant
              594 posts Send Private Message

                oh – and I almost forgot the Moral Support part – YOU GOT THIS!!! I know she hates it, but she needs it. And Trust me, my bunny loved me lots after! Don’t get me wrong, she had a bit of a hissy fit after, stomping her feet and turning her back on me, but after a few hours and, of course, some treats – she was fine!


              • Wick & Fable
                Moderator
                5771 posts Send Private Message

                  What terrible things have I put Wick through… Over 200 doses of oral antibiotics, over two dozen injections in the back, 4 months of x2/day topical treatment that’s 15min long each time, and I clip his nails, haha. All this, but Wick loves me very much for all of it. I think at times he does perceive it makes him feel better, but even if he doesn’t, rabbits get stressed by like, a loud noise, so you can’t control them getting stressed. If it’s for medical purposes, it needs to be done.

                  You can do this! Be persistent and give off good vibes to your baby, and I’m sure it will be a growth experience for both of you. If you give off an air of confidence and care, rabbits are surprisingly receptive and reflective about those emotions.

                  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.


                • Mo
                  Participant
                  2 posts Send Private Message

                    I apologize for how long it took for me to reply!  I just realized my first message was badly written but the info that everyone gave is sooo helpful.  I never, in a million years, would’ve guessed that this could bond her and I more. Amazing.
                    So I’m taking all of your suggestions.  I started to make sure I was actually breathing, and more slowly and deeply.  Big difference.  I feel less desperately hurried.  Also I made sure that I was confident and spoke positively about loving her so much and getting her all better, which I was obviously struggling with– having that logical perspective.
                    @DanaNM   I’m trying the pumpkin/banana additions and it definitely tasted better to me!

                    @Nutmeg
                       I tried the bunny burrito twice only to find that I’m way too uncoordinated to accomplish it. Haha

                    @Wick
                       Hats off to ya!  That is some die hard bunny love.
                    Additionally my gut is telling me there was a slow build up to this sickness.  I forgot that she had been very uncomfortable when we stayed at my parents house for 2-3 weeks.  That is probably my fault because I’d forgotten to tell all of my family that she wants to be pet when her head is down, and no forcing.  Also a tiny pen was confining her, and when we got back to the apartment I didn’t let her in the bedroom, where she had an under-the-bed sanctuary that meant the world to her.  I just took it away and then she was very lethargic.  I can’t let her under the bed anymore because she was eating my mattress as well as the carpeting, but she is now allowed in the bedroom and I’m working on a well thought out hidey place.  Anyway in my selfish decision to ignore all this I decided that she might be lonely.  Wrong, try again.  So I’m waiting for the poor new bonding bun to go back to a foster family.  I adore him so much but she is way less than thrilled.  I feel like such a jerk.


                  • Minty
                    Participant
                    54 posts Send Private Message

                      I know its hard. My bunny won’t take antibiotics via her vegetables. I put half her antibiotics in say 1.5 tsp of finely chopped bananas mixed. And bunny ate it over time, I managed to give her her entire dose.

                      Although I know my bunny is very upset with me, and even scared (of being taken to the vet?) because of the events of the past 2 days, she still licks me – even more than before I think, so I know she loves me. I didn’t even try to syringe feed her the antibiotics.I even talk to her sweetly and softly to tell her what I’m doing and that it’s for her good. I think I’ve learned to be super nice to her and pet her exactly how she wants it. And also to leave her alone if she wants it.

                      I think choose the feeding method that’s least stressful for you and your bunny. The banana one is a good one. Can try other fruit – berries.

                      I agree with Wick – try and give an air of confidence. I know it’s hard.

                      Wick – hats off strong person.


                    • DanaNM
                      Moderator
                      8901 posts Send Private Message

                        Awww, how stressful for both of you, but it sounds like you figured out what the cause of her sickness was, and are working to make it better, and that’s the important thing!

                        I wouldn’t rush to return the foster bun just yet… She may have already been feeling bad, so not likely to accept a new friend. She may be more open to it once she feels better, and with more pre-bonding to let them get used to each other.

                        If you want to allow her in your room but not under the bed, I suggest using NIC cube grids cable tied together. You can use a single row to block the under the bed area. Then you can put a safe hiding house in there for her.

                        . . . 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.  


                      • DanaNM
                        Moderator
                        8901 posts Send Private Message

                          Awww, how stressful for both of you, but it sounds like you figured out what the cause of her sickness was, and are working to make it better, and that’s the important thing!

                          I wouldn’t rush to return the foster bun just yet… She may have already been feeling bad, so not likely to accept a new friend. She may be more open to it once she feels better, and with more pre-bonding to let them get used to each other.

                          If you want to allow her in your room but not under the bed, I suggest using NIC cube grids cable tied together. You can use a single row to block the under the bed area. Then you can put a safe hiding house in there for her.

                          . . . 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.  


                        • DanaNM
                          Moderator
                          8901 posts Send Private Message

                            Awww, how stressful for both of you, but it sounds like you figured out what the cause of her sickness was, and are working to make it better, and that’s the important thing!

                            I wouldn’t rush to return the foster bun just yet… She may have already been feeling bad, so not likely to accept a new friend. She may be more open to it once she feels better, and with more pre-bonding to let them get used to each other.

                            If you want to allow her in your room but not under the bed, I suggest using NIC cube grids cable tied together. You can use a single row to block the under the bed area. Then you can put a safe hiding house in there for her.

                            . . . 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.  


                          • DanaNM
                            Moderator
                            8901 posts Send Private Message

                              Awww, how stressful for both of you, but it sounds like you figured out what the cause of her sickness was, and are working to make it better, and that’s the important thing!

                              I wouldn’t rush to return the foster bun just yet… She may have already been feeling bad, so not likely to accept a new friend. She may be more open to it once she feels better, and with more pre-bonding to let them get used to each other.

                              If you want to allow her in your room but not under the bed, I suggest using NIC cube grids cable tied together. You can use a single row to block the under the bed area. Then you can put a safe hiding house in there for her.

                              . . . 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.  


                            • DanaNM
                              Moderator
                              8901 posts Send Private Message

                                Awww, how stressful for both of you, but it sounds like you figured out what the cause of her sickness was, and are working to make it better, and that’s the important thing!

                                I wouldn’t rush to return the foster bun just yet… She may have already been feeling bad, so not likely to accept a new friend. She may be more open to it once she feels better, and with more pre-bonding to let them get used to each other.

                                If you want to allow her in your room but not under the bed, I suggest using NIC cube grids cable tied together. You can use a single row to block the under the bed area. Then you can put a safe hiding house in there for her.

                                . . . 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.  

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                            Forum DIET & CARE Moral support?