julia.julibob
Warren Scout
I would like some advice please.
My husband and I have decided after nearly 5 years to get another Bunny or Bunnies. The reason it has taken so long is a traumatic memory for us both.
We bought Harleigh (a fawn Dwarf Lop) before we got married and had children. He came from a local breeder and shower. He was a very clean and happy bunny and we never had to have him neutered. About 6 months before we lost him, our neighbours fence blew over and took his hutch with it! Luckily he seemed unharmed. Shortly after, his face swelled and he was diagnosed with an abscess under his molar and blocked tear duct on the same side. He was given numerous courses of antibiotics before they operated and removed the abscess. A few weeks later the abscess and dry eye returned and they did an x-ray which revealed that the root of his molar was growing through his tear duct and was also growing in the wrong position, causing both problems. They would not remove the molar as they said it would be too much for any rabbit. They said that they wanted to remove the abscess again and give more antibiotics!! It did not help and we ended up with a poorly bunny with very little left of one side of his face. They took him in again and did a bone scan which revealed that the infection had spread into his jaw and skull bones. Despite not holding much hope, they wanted to treat him with even more antibiotics, but this was the point that we did the only kind thing, and asked them to put him to sleep. It was one of the hardest things we have ever done.
You can see why we said never again, but never has come and we want to get 2 this time.
The bunnies will be mine and my husbands pets, but the children (6 and 4) need to be able to handle them. They will spend time indoors and out, but as I have allergies will sleep in their hutch outside.
We are looking at Mini-Lops, but want to know if they have the same dental problems as Dwarf Lops? We would prefer smaller rabbits, but will build a hutch to suit whatever size. I love Rex's but know nothing about them. Does anyone have any suggestions on breed especially with children in the household??
Do we get 2 brothers and neuter/ 2 sisters (I have been told that the girls can suffer from bunny PMT), or a brother and a sister.
Sorry to drag on, but We want to get this right, and want happy, healthy, friendly bunnies who will be part of the family.
Any advice gratefully received.
Julia
My husband and I have decided after nearly 5 years to get another Bunny or Bunnies. The reason it has taken so long is a traumatic memory for us both.
We bought Harleigh (a fawn Dwarf Lop) before we got married and had children. He came from a local breeder and shower. He was a very clean and happy bunny and we never had to have him neutered. About 6 months before we lost him, our neighbours fence blew over and took his hutch with it! Luckily he seemed unharmed. Shortly after, his face swelled and he was diagnosed with an abscess under his molar and blocked tear duct on the same side. He was given numerous courses of antibiotics before they operated and removed the abscess. A few weeks later the abscess and dry eye returned and they did an x-ray which revealed that the root of his molar was growing through his tear duct and was also growing in the wrong position, causing both problems. They would not remove the molar as they said it would be too much for any rabbit. They said that they wanted to remove the abscess again and give more antibiotics!! It did not help and we ended up with a poorly bunny with very little left of one side of his face. They took him in again and did a bone scan which revealed that the infection had spread into his jaw and skull bones. Despite not holding much hope, they wanted to treat him with even more antibiotics, but this was the point that we did the only kind thing, and asked them to put him to sleep. It was one of the hardest things we have ever done.
You can see why we said never again, but never has come and we want to get 2 this time.
The bunnies will be mine and my husbands pets, but the children (6 and 4) need to be able to handle them. They will spend time indoors and out, but as I have allergies will sleep in their hutch outside.
We are looking at Mini-Lops, but want to know if they have the same dental problems as Dwarf Lops? We would prefer smaller rabbits, but will build a hutch to suit whatever size. I love Rex's but know nothing about them. Does anyone have any suggestions on breed especially with children in the household??
Do we get 2 brothers and neuter/ 2 sisters (I have been told that the girls can suffer from bunny PMT), or a brother and a sister.
Sorry to drag on, but We want to get this right, and want happy, healthy, friendly bunnies who will be part of the family.
Any advice gratefully received.
Julia