Bereaved Rabbit

Hi Everyone

I am new to the site, and was hoping I could get some advice regarding my rabbit.

I have had 3 rabbits for the last 7/8 years. 2 bucks and 1 doe. The bucks were castrated, but the doe was not neutered.

The 2 males recently died.

The rabbits were always housed outside, and had a 15 x 10 foot run. It is secure and they were free to explore, dig, play and sun bathe for 15 hours of the day.

Since the 2 deaths I have brought the doe inside. She is eating, and alert, but very quiet and reluctant to come out of her cage.

I have 2 questions - 1, would it be possible to bond her, and 2, if I put her back in her outside enclosure during the day for exercise would it make her more depressed.

Any advice would be very welcome.

Diane

Maroota said:

Hi Everyone

I am new to the site, and was hoping I could get some advice regarding my rabbit.

I have had 3 rabbits for the last 7/8 years. 2 bucks and 1 doe. The bucks were castrated, but the doe was not neutered.

The 2 males recently died.

The rabbits were always housed outside, and had a 15 x 10 foot run. It is secure and they were free to explore, dig, play and sun bathe for 15 hours of the day.

Since the 2 deaths I have brought the doe inside. She is eating, and alert, but very quiet and reluctant to come out of her cage.

I have 2 questions - 1, would it be possible to bond her, and 2, if I put her back in her outside enclosure during the day for exercise would it make her more depressed.

Any advice would be very welcome.

Diane

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Hi Diane and welcome to the forum :wave:

I am sorry to hear that you lost both your bucks. Regarding your doe, I would be reluctant to move her indoors and outdoors on a regular basis, as rabbits find it difficult to regulate their own temperature. Doing this may have an impact on her immune system, and perhaps leave her open to contracting something health wise.

However, my rabbits are indoors, and when they like to peek their noses out (when I can be with them) I let them out for a spell. They are free to come back in any time, and I don't leave them out that long in this weather.

Yes, it's definitely possible to bond her Have you thought about maybe approaching a Rescue Centre and asking about neutered males? You may have to explain to them why your own doe isn't neutered, but that will be between you and them. They may even offer to do the bonding for you. The beauty of a Rescue Centre is that if the bond doesn't work out for any reason, you can generally take the rabbit/s back. And possibly try different ones that suit better

Thank you MightyMax for you quick reply.

I will start letting her out under supervision, but will not leave her out in this weather for any length of time.

I have spoken to a rescue today, but because I do not meet their criteria (neutering) they will not consider me for adoption.

I have just been in contact with a local lady who has a neutered buck who is looking for a new home because he has fallen out with his friend.

We will meet shortly, and hopefully he will come and stay with me on a temporary basis. If things don't work out she is willing to take him back.

What would be the best way to approach them bonding with each other considering the neutering and the weather? Their hutch will eventually be outside.

Thanks for your advice. It is very much appreciated.

Diane

Maroota said:

Thank you MightyMax for you quick reply.

I will start letting her out under supervision, but will not leave her out in this weather for any length of time.

I have spoken to a rescue today, but because I do not meet their criteria (neutering) they will not consider me for adoption.

I have just been in contact with a local lady who has a neutered buck who is looking for a new home because he has fallen out with his friend.

We will meet shortly, and hopefully he will come and stay with me on a temporary basis. If things don't work out she is willing to take him back.

What would be the best way to approach them bonding with each other considering the neutering and the weather? Their hutch will eventually be outside.

Thanks for your advice. It is very much appreciated.

Diane

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Hi Diane

I thought the neutering might be a sticking point, but it looks like you will be able to find a way around it, one way or another

I'll post you here my list of bonding links, but basically you need some neutral territory, and someone with nerve and possibly experience to ensure that they don't harm one another, and equally that they aren't split up too soon


http://rabbit.org/the-most-important-word-in-bonding-is-patience/

http://rabbit.org/introducing-rabbits-in-a-group-situation/

http://www.cottontails-rescue.org.uk/information/bonding-bunnies/ (good for pair bonding)

http://www.fatfluffs.com/info/bonding/

http://www.actionforrabbits.co.uk/bonding.html

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/s...How-I-do-rabbit-bonding&p=6934868#post6934868


Book in RWAF shop:

https://shop.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/product/bonding-rabbits-by-fiona-campbell/


Mischief and Tinker’s Mum
http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?462466-How-I-bonded-my-trios-videos!

Also, Mairwen Guard has put some brilliant bonding videos on YouTube which are well worth watching - do search for them as there are quite a few.

MightyMax has given you lots of excellent advice.
I'm sorry you lost two of your rabbits - and I don't want appear insensitive - but do you know the reason they both died?

Yes.

I went to see the vet. The first had died naturally, and the second had died through the stress/immune system closing down.

As they were outside rabbits he said they were a good age.. they were both 7/8 years of age.

The doe was checked over, and everything was fine. I am just so worried for her now. She has been with the bucks nearly all her life, so I need to make sure she is ok. For the first 2 weeks she seemed content and happy, but now she is too quiet.

Thanks MightyMax. I will certainly take a look at your links.

Once again thank you so much for sparing your time to help.

Diane

Maroota said:

Yes.

I went to see the vet. The first had died naturally, and the second had died through the stress/immune system closing down.

As they were outside rabbits he said they were a good age.. they were both 7/8 years of age.

The doe was checked over, and everything was fine. I am just so worried for her now. She has been with the bucks nearly all her life, so I need to make sure she is ok. For the first 2 weeks she seemed content and happy, but now she is too quiet.

Thanks MightyMax. I will certainly take a look at your links.

Once again thank you so much for sparing your time to help.

Diane

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It's all new for her inside I expect? Added to which, losing her companions

I hope you don't mind me asking, but were your rabbits vaccinated at all? You are probably aware that there are now two vaccinations for rabbits - the standard novibac/myxo one that's been around for years, and a newer Filavac one that covers the new strain of VHD - VHD2/RHD2.

I've got a thread running with lots of info on it, the link is in my signature.

You can also find load of info here:

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/owners/frequently-asked-questions/FAQRHD


I'm sorry to bombard you with info, I really hope you don't mind. But I felt I had to let you know, just in case you weren't aware (some vets aren't aware either) of the risks of not vaccinating against RHD2.

I must admit, my first thought was vaccinations - particularly VHD2, as 7/8 isn't old for a rabbit.