Need help re new rabbit

I have recently taken in a large lop-eared rabbit who is 18 months old. He has been vaccinated but not neutered.
I took him for a friend as she had very little time for him and he was not being exercised very often and had outgrown his hutch.

The intention was to re-train him as a house rabbit and yeterday he was quite happy to run around my living room although he is very nervous of human interaction. He is quite happy to sit near me but will not be stroked.

I have an outhouse attached to my kitchen and it runs the length of the house and my intention was to put the hutch at one end and then put some wire mesh half-way down for a constant run for him. I also think he is probably quite lonely and so I was going to buy another rabbit, poss female and pending getting him nutured having a wire mesh between them so that they are still together but seperated from any hanky panky/fighting!!

Is this a good way to do things or would anyone recomend different???? Possibly waiting to get him nutered as it will cause frustration?

Finally he had a large bald patch across his back in the shape of a V and the owner said not to worry as he was just molting...I'm worried it could be more sinister so I was wondering if anyone could tell me if this was normal.

Hi, I would definitely get him neutered before introducing a female. Also consider getting a spayed female from a rescue so you can put them together straight away (but not until several weeks after his op). I think the run sounds like a great place to keep him because it will be secure.

Re the bald patch, is there any scaling?

krisked said:

Finally he had a large bald patch across his back in the shape of a V and the owner said not to worry as he was just molting...I'm worried it could be more sinister so I was wondering if anyone could tell me if this was normal.

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One of my buns has just had problems with mites and some of the articles I read said a classic symptom of mites or lice is a bald v shape across their back, from where their scratch with their hind legs.

You also mentioned molting - for my male rabbit, Charlie, molting and mites tend to come together, cos he can't keep up with grooming himself when he's molting, and yes molting alone can cause small bald patches but because you said its in a V shape it sounds like your bun is scratching a lot. Is the skin on the bald patch ok? or is it red and sore?

It might be worth taking him to the vets for a quick check up. There are various threads on here about mites and lice, symptoms and treatment. Mostly treatment is a course of injections at the vets, some places sell spot on treatment for buns but this is actually quite dangerous as they can have allergies/sensitivity to it. (I had the misfortune to try this with my buns before I knew about it and burned big patches on the backs of their necks - all v nasty!). Symptoms range from scratching, bald patches, sore skin, scaling/dandruff etc - all mostly on their neck/back.

I have to go to work else I'd find some threads for you - have a hunt around and come back with any questions.

As for your ideas of getting him a friend, I think thats a lovely idea, probably worth getting him neutered first else they will try to fight through the divide. He's old enough to be neutered, so as long as he is healthy then you could go ahead and have him spayed fairly soon. If you do decide to go see the vet incase he has mites, then they'll give him a quick check up and make sure he's healthy so you can think about getting him spayed.

Lots of luck with him, and welcome to the forum. I look forward to seeing photos.

That set-up in the outhouse sounds great and having it divided so that any potential girly can see him through the mesh will help speed up bonding them.

I would recommend getting him down for a check up at the vets too as it could be mites then they will be able to check him over and discuss neutering with you. Make sure your vet is up on rabbits as they are actually quite complicated and many vets only have a couple of lectures on them so it is always worth trying to find one who has chosen to specialise in exotics etc and know that little bit more about rabbits.

Once he has settled in and has been neutered the best option for you would probably to take him to your local rescue centre and try some speed dating with spayed does. If your local rescue doesn't spay you have to wait 6-8 weeks before taking him to meet entire does as he may still be fertile. That way he gets to choose a girlfriend he gets on with and it will make bonding a whole lot easier for you.

Caz

Wow what quick responses....

I have just found a reputable vets and have booked him in to be spayed next Monday. I also explained about the V shape and they said possibly mites and they will treat everything at once.

They are charging £48.76 for the spaying and then any extra for additional medicines they may need. I was hoping for a little cheaper TBH but seen that this is around normal charge

Hiya, that sounds reasonable. Spaying is more expensive. b-m

PS If you absolutely cannot get hold of a spayed female, then it is normally recommended to wait 2-4 weeks before putting them together after a neuter, or to wait until the female is spayed and her op has healed (about 2 weeks). You will also have to pay for a spay which cost me about £80.

You're lucky! I paid £70 for my first rabbit Miles to be neutered! That's exactly why I got my other three from rescues - they're already neutered and the adoption fees are around £25-£40!

I think your idea of keeping them separate to start with is perfect. I agree with getting a neutered female, that way you can consider introducing them a couple of weeks after the op without having to worry whether your male is still fertile.

Best of luck!

AMETHYST