My lionhead rabbit has turned really nasty over last year you cant get near it at all it growls and lunges at you, we used to think it was a male but not so sure now. i cant even get close to brush it so its fur is getting horrible. anyone had this before???? i don't know what to do, thanks.
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Please help
- Thread starter haze2cute
- Start date
The Duchess
Wise Old Thumper
The most likely reason is if your bunny is not neutered and I am guessing that as you don't even know the sex he/she is not. Suppose IT wont be vaccinated either then?. If not there could be any number of reasons.
Have you had your bunny healthchecked?
Have you had your bunny healthchecked?
Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
You need to take him/her to a Vet to determine his/her gender and then arrange to get him/her neutered (castrated or spayed). Neutering should help reduce aggression. He/she may actually be in considerable discomfort if he/she is badly matted
Matted fur can felt-up and cause the skin to become inflammed/infected .I would call the Vet tomorrow and make an appointment for your Bun.
Seems a shame to refer to him/her as 'it'.................
The Duchess
Wise Old Thumper
You need to take him/her to a Vet to determine his/her gender and then arrange to get him/her neutered (castrated or spayed). Neutering should help reduce aggression. He/she may actually be in considerable discomfort if he/she is badly matted
I would call the Vet tomorrow and make an appointment for your Bun.
Seems a shame to refer to him/her as 'it'.................
ditto
Mackers
Wise Old Thumper
Yup - agree with the above. Neutering is the key here. Also, how much space does he have? If he's in a smallish hutch with nothing to entertain him or keep him company, then he's also likely to get very territorial over his surroundings. He sees you as a threat every time you try to enter his 'territory'. Get him neutered, give him more space, some bunny company, things to play with and do etc and he should become a nice, friendly and laid back bunny.
yvette
Wise Old Thumper
Awwww....she must be a girlie and a very hormonal one.Is Bunny about 6 months plus???
A neuter is the best thing for her...will calm her down and release her from all the possibilities of getting infections of the uterus in her later life.
Your situation is the same mine was over a year ago.
Best of luck.
Please dont get scared of her...thats how bunnies end up getting left alone.Shes just a bag of hormones currently and PMT isnt nice!!!xxxxx
A neuter is the best thing for her...will calm her down and release her from all the possibilities of getting infections of the uterus in her later life.
Your situation is the same mine was over a year ago.
Best of luck.
Please dont get scared of her...thats how bunnies end up getting left alone.Shes just a bag of hormones currently and PMT isnt nice!!!xxxxx
RubyTed
Wise Old Thumper
You're bunny, regardless of sex, is very hormonal. He/she can be sexed when s/he goes to the vet for his/her jabs. They need jabs twice a year. Myxi every 6 months, and VHD, every year.
The vet can then sex him and see. Then you should proceed to have him/her neutered/spayed. This should help his hormone levels to drop, and he should be less aggressive. If he isn't handled very much now, then don't expect perfect results. As hormone levels drop you'll have to gain his/her trust again.
The vet can then sex him and see. Then you should proceed to have him/her neutered/spayed. This should help his hormone levels to drop, and he should be less aggressive. If he isn't handled very much now, then don't expect perfect results. As hormone levels drop you'll have to gain his/her trust again.
Bunny Buddy
Wise Old Thumper
Definitely agree that neutering will be the best way to go.
Is the bunny growling and lunging on it's own territory? Maybe on neutral territory the behaviour will be less. This kind of behaviour can also be pain-related.
Definitely see a vet with regard to health check and sexing and advice on neutering as a starting point - perhaps for them to groom the bunny as well if it gets to cause welfare issues
Is the bunny growling and lunging on it's own territory? Maybe on neutral territory the behaviour will be less. This kind of behaviour can also be pain-related.
Definitely see a vet with regard to health check and sexing and advice on neutering as a starting point - perhaps for them to groom the bunny as well if it gets to cause welfare issues
The Duchess
Wise Old Thumper
how long is a piece of string really. Anything from 2-4 weeks up to several months.
It can cost vastly different sums dependent on the vets and the sex.
You need to specifically find a vet that has a good knowledge of rabbits too, not just any old vet.
HS
Wise Old Thumper
A couple of weeks. I had two girls who fought like mad until they were spayed, then they were very sweet natured.. It will cost between £50 - £100 depending on where you are in the country.
If you post where you are, someone will be able to recommend a vet to you.
Biscuit's Mum!
Warren Veteran
Price is a bit tricky to say as you don't know if it is a boy or girl; girls are more expensive to get 'done'.
Roughly £40-60 I would say.
Roughly £40-60 I would say.
The Duchess
Wise Old Thumper
Having just read your intro too, if you have the 2 bunnies anywhere near each other unnneutered that would be one very big reason for the aggression. Even just the smell of another rabbit will send an unneutered rabbit into hyperspace.
The Duchess
Wise Old Thumper
We pay more like £55 for a male and around £70 for a female.
antigone
Wise Old Thumper
This is correct! The best thing to do is get both rabbits vaccinated and neutered. Then, once the hormones have died down (in 1-2 months time) you will be able to introduce them to each other. I'm sure they will be happier together.
they are reasonably close, he/she is just as bad with growling and lunging out of the hutch. Her/his hair isnt matted badly but looking scruffy, i have never had a rabbit so nuts :shock: but all my others have been male. i live in essex and currently my vets is cherrydown. Hutch he/she is in at the moment isnt very big but collecting new one on saturday which is a lot bigger.
i would just like to say that i only called him/her it because i dont know the sex and writing him/her every 5 seconds takes ages so wasnt calling him/her an IT and also i love how you automatically start getting on your high horses about being vaccinated etc. i came on here for some advice not to get a lecture. i dont want my rabbit to get left and not be cuddled etc because HE/SHE is too aggressive and to just die after living a sad life getting matted hair and long claws. if i didn't give a i wouldn't of signed up to ask for advice.
