Update: Bonding SUCCESS! Bonding Polly with a new friend (worried re quarantine)

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PollyandEarlGrey

Young Bun
We went to our rescue on Sunday and picked up a lovely little boy as a friend for Polly - it has been 6 months since we lost our beautiful Earl, and Polly has been fine, but we want her to have a friend again.

We are bonding through wire to begin with - our new little bun is Vac'd and neutered of course, but I am paranoid re infection - we are doing a panacur course for each bunny prior to contact bonding, and when I sought advice from our rescue, they said to perhaps quarantine for 9 days if we felt more comfortable. Our new buns enclosure is right next to Polly, in the bunny room (we had nowhere else to put him), but I am using different bowls, dustpan and brush, different slippers and washing hands between handling anything to do with each bunny.

I just feel like is this a waste of time? Proper quarantine would of course be separate rooms completely - now I'm feeling very paranoid that I'm going to bring the new strain of RHD to Polly. It's too late now I know, but I wanted to see what everyone thought of it :(

Thank you!
 
I always think it's better to settle a newbie in before introducing them to a new partner - so that would also include a period of quarantine.
It gives the newbie time to find their way around and get used to the new routine. It's a stressful enough time for them anyway, and stress can make them more susceptible to illness. Bonding on its own is very stressful, without all the other changes.

I'm assuming Polly is also vaccinated and neutered.

Panacur is always a good idea as rabbits are also more susceptible to EC when they are stressed.

I hope all goes well with the bonding.
 
T
Shimmer said:
I always think it's better to settle a newbie in before introducing them to a new partner - so that would also include a period of quarantine.
It gives the newbie time to find their way around and get used to the new routine. It's a stressful enough time for them anyway, and stress can make them more susceptible to illness. Bonding on its own is very stressful, without all the other changes.

I'm assuming Polly is also vaccinated and neutered.

Panacur is always a good idea as rabbits are also more susceptible to EC when they are stressed.

I hope all goes well with the bonding.
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Thank you for your reply, Shimmer!

Yes, Polly is Vaccinated and neutered also! :)

We are aiming to keep them separate (between the bars) for two weeks until we begin the 'dates' - do you think that works?

I'm just so paranoid currently about the new strain of RVHD and worried I've made a mistake by not putting our new bun in another room!
 
Good luck with the bonding. Right now I am following posts from two other members who are sharing their experiences bonding a new bunny after losing a partner. I hope you will post updates of your experience too!
 
bunny momma said:
Good luck with the bonding. Right now I am following posts from two other members who are sharing their experiences bonding a new bunny after losing a partner. I hope you will post updates of your experience too!
Click to expand...
Thank you!! Yes I will try to post updates - first time I've done it, so quite apprehensive!

Taking our new bunny Malarkey to the vets on Monday for a full check up - going to start socialising them together (rather than through the wires) in a weeks time - will try 25 minutes playdate with lots of forage to begin with!
 
PollyandEarlGrey said:
Thank you!! Yes I will try to post updates - first time I've done it, so quite apprehensive!

Taking our new bunny Malarkey to the vets on Monday for a full check up - going to start socialising them together (rather than through the wires) in a weeks time - will try 25 minutes playdate with lots of forage to begin with!
Click to expand...
Update:

We have so far done two bonding play dates.

The first one went okay for 15 minutes, until Malarkey put his head under Polly’s chin for too long, seemed to frustrate her so she nipped his head, and then they both began chasing and nipping so we separated them.

We tried again today (session 2), in the same neutral space, just with half the size available to them. Two piles of hay and two piles of forage. They lasted 4 minutes until malarkey did the same thing, kept putting his head down in front of Polly and she once again nipped his head, we intervened quicker today.

I’m worried that Mal is trying to see if he’s in the top spot - Polly is always the dominant bunny and always was with our lovely boy Earl, and Polly is going to keep nipping him until he understands. My main concern: what if he doesn’t catch on, and he wants to be boss still? I hate seeing them even begin to fight, but I’m going to stick it out.

We have the bonding / calming spray everywhere and their usual jazz music in the background to keep them calm.

Any advice or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated, I do have videos too!

Thanks!

@bunny momma @InspectorMorse
@Shimmer
 
PollyandEarlGrey said:
Update:

We have so far done two bonding play dates.

The first one went okay for 15 minutes, until Malarkey put his head under Polly’s chin for too long, seemed to frustrate her so she nipped his head, and then they both began chasing and nipping so we separated them.

We tried again today (session 2), in the same neutral space, just with half the size available to them. Two piles of hay and two piles of forage. They lasted 4 minutes until malarkey did the same thing, kept putting his head down in front of Polly and she once again nipped his head, we intervened quicker today.

I’m worried that Mal is trying to see if he’s in the top spot - Polly is always the dominant bunny and always was with our lovely boy Earl, and Polly is going to keep nipping him until he understands. My main concern: what if he doesn’t catch on, and he wants to be boss still? I hate seeing them even begin to fight, but I’m going to stick it out.

We have the bonding / calming spray everywhere and their usual jazz music in the background to keep them calm.

Any advice or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated, I do have videos too!

Thanks!

@bunny momma @InspectorMorse
@Shimmer
Click to expand...
hey! not sure if anyone is following this, but just as an update, the buns are bonded, and seem very in love! Constant snuggles and grooming of eachother, it's gorgeous to see.

I am OVER the moon. Never done this before, so I see it as a real win.

Thanks all!

@bunny momma @Shimmer
 
Have just read through your posts, it's lovely that you got Polly a friend, and well done on the bonding ! Well done to the bunnies too 😊👍
 
PollyandEarlGrey said:
hey! not sure if anyone is following this, but just as an update, the buns are bonded, and seem very in love! Constant snuggles and grooming of eachother, it's gorgeous to see.

I am OVER the moon. Never done this before, so I see it as a real win.

Thanks all!

@bunny momma @Shimmer
Click to expand...
brilliant update ❤️ its the best achievement isn't it. Enjoy. Photos would be lovely :)
 
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