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    mogrann's Avatar
    mogrann Posts: 860, Reputation: 193
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    #1

    May 20, 2011, 06:53 PM
    My bunny
    Thank you for the offer Alty. I not knowledgeable about bunnies but am willing to learn. Please correct things that are wrong. I am trying to include all relevant info as I know that is necessary if I have forgotten anything let me know.

    Noble Garden my bunny was bought from a pet store. I got him April 2008 2009. I have no idea how old he was then and did not ask. He was a baby and fit in the palm of my hand. I am saying he as that is what the pet store told me. Yes I have learned after being here shelters are the better place to go and that I need to educate myself BEFORE I get the animal.

    Noble's diet consists of water, timothy hay, rabbit food and vegetables. I don't measure his food and he does not seem to be underweight. He is what I would say has a nice round belly but no rolls of fat. He gets this all daily. We also have rabbit treats that he gets occasionally. He has a salt wheel. We have bought him a "log house" that you can change shapes on and he chews on that. We also have the shaped wooden treats for rabbits for him. His cage is the cage the pet store said was for a full grown rabbit(I did not want to have to keep buying bigger cages).

    When I first got him he was very very very loving. He would let me pick him up and hold him. If I was laying on the couch he would jump up on it and sleep with me. He was handled lots in those days. Now he just jumps around when loose avoiding us. We watched him closely as well due to the cats, and there has never been a fight with them.

    The change happened slowly. I think it started at a year old. He now is temperamental. He will growl at people if they try to feed him. He has not bit anyone! He will what I call "charge" them as well. He does not do that to me. Noble does talk to me as he is beside my computer. He loves to be petted by you rubbing your finger between his eyes down towards his nose and will sit still for that. He also liked Binx too. He will not let me pick him up now or even go toward him when he is loose. He will only come up to the bars in his cage for me to pet him.

    He does get out to play. He kind of likes it kind of not. He will not let us pick him up anymore so hubby picks him up like a mommy cat does her babies. He does not seem to mind that and goes limp.

    He is not neutered and my heart sank when you asked the question. It never entered our mind that had to be done. Did I cause him to go like this :( I thought where there is no risk of him making another bunny pregnant then it was not necessary.

    He has not been outside to play but I did see a picture( I think you posted) of a bunny in a round enclosure on the lawn. I will be looking into getting that for him so he can enjoy the fresh air.
    Alty's Avatar
    Alty Posts: 28,317, Reputation: 5972
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    #2

    May 20, 2011, 07:20 PM

    Sadly you hit the nail on the head all by yourself. It's not your fault, so don't go feeling bad. Most people don't know that getting a rabbit fixed is not only to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.

    Rabbits that aren't fixed, both male and female, will become aggressive once they hit sexual maturity. What you're describing, the lunging, growling, general nasty behavior, is exactly what you can expect from an unaltered rabbit.

    It's definitely not too late to get him fixed. I can help you find a rabbit vet in your area. I'm lucky, I have a vet that specializes in rabbits right by my house.

    Getting him fixed will improve his attitude, and it will prolong his life by many many years.

    Everything else you're doing is great. The food, the chews (rabbits need to chew. They're teeth are constantly growing), and the timothy hay (it's vital for a rabbit).

    Don't beat yourself up about having a pet store bunny. I have 4 rabbits. One of mine is a pet store purchase. In fact, he's my tamest one, mainly because I got him at such a young age. The others were much older, and more set in their ways when I got them, but a bit of love and attention and they're now tame too.

    Just to give you an idea about how your rabbit will change after neutering. My rabbit Thumper was around 4 years old when we rescued him from the shelter. Before we got him he had been adopted, and then returned (he bit the person that adopted him, and bit her other rabbit). Before that he lived on the streets. His second stay at the shelter he was neutered.

    It can take months for all the hormones in the rabbits system to leave his body after a neuter. Most vets don't realize that. So, only a few short weeks after he was neutered he was deemed unsuitable for adoption, and was put on death row. In fact, he was set to be put down the day after we visited.

    One look at him and his rap sheet and I knew I had to take him home. Thankfully the shelter knows me, and they know that any animal I take, no matter how "evil" that animal is, is staying with me for life. So Thumper came home with me with the warning that he'd never be tame, never get along with other rabbits, and that he'd have to remain caged for life.

    Well, Thumper is now my TV buddy. He loves to sit in my lap for a cuddle and watch movies. He's not much for hopping around. He prefers to sit with his humans and be patted, scratched and petted. He has the softest fur! He also loves his bunny buddies.

    Kilala is another one. She was spayed a few days before we adopted her. She came in to the shelter pregnant, 1 and 1/2 years old, having lived her whole life in a rabbit house (lady had over 200 rabbits running free in her home). The staff was beside themselves with her. She lunged at people, bit, growled. She doesn't like being picked up, but loves sitting on my lap.

    Cotton, my pet store bunny came home with us at 4 weeks of age (way too young). He was a doll, until he turned 6 months of age. Then he started growling, biting, lunging, spraying. He was a nasty little bugger. A quick fix (ha, ha) and he's my tamest bunny. He loves his people. :)

    A neuter won't be cheap. It can cost up to $350 depending on the vet, and I really do recommend that you find a vet that knows rabbits. The best way to find out if they do is to ask if the rabbit should fast before the operation. If the vet says yes, then he/she doesn't know rabbits.

    Sorry for the book. I love talking about bunnies. I really think that once your bunny is fixed you'll be shocked at his attitude change. :)
    mogrann's Avatar
    mogrann Posts: 860, Reputation: 193
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    #3

    May 20, 2011, 08:30 PM

    Thank you Alty I will be looking around and asking around here for a vet that looks after bunnies. If you do hear of any around Calgary I would appreciate knowing as well.
    I am hopeful that this will help him become more loving.

    Susan
    Alty's Avatar
    Alty Posts: 28,317, Reputation: 5972
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    #4

    May 21, 2011, 05:39 PM

    I'll do some research Mogrann, see what I can find in your area.

    Be prepared that most vets charge similar prices for a rabbit, so it may well cost you up to $350 dollars. That's for the operation, the pain meds, and after care.

    It will take a few months before all the hormones are out of his system, so he won't instantly be friendlier, but, I'd be willing to go out on a limb and say that you'll have a very different bunny a few months after he's neutered. I've never had a negative experience with a neutered or spayed rabbit. They really are calmer. They're a lot like dogs in that respect. :)

    I'll make up a list of questions for you, things you should ask the vet before the surgery. Many vets will do the spay/neuter on a rabbit even though they're not rabbit specialist. These little animals are very different then cats and dogs, and most vets are trained to deal with them in any way.

    The most important question would be the fasting question. You see, most vets recommend that an animal fast before a surgery because many of them will vomit afterwards, and if no one is around, they could choke on their own vomit. Well, rabbits can't vomit. They don't have a gag reflex. Also, rabbits need to eat every day in order to live. If they don't their digestive systems can shut down and they die. They have unique digestive systems. :)

    I better stop. I could talk all day about bunnies.
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
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    #5

    May 21, 2011, 05:58 PM

    How about this clinic and Dr. Materi --

    Calgary Avian & Exotic Pet Clinic Home
    Alty's Avatar
    Alty Posts: 28,317, Reputation: 5972
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    #6

    May 21, 2011, 06:39 PM

    I actually sent Mogrann a PM with the address of a vet clinic in her area recommended by the House rabbit society. :)

    The one you posted looks good too. :)
    mogrann's Avatar
    mogrann Posts: 860, Reputation: 193
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    #7

    May 22, 2011, 11:58 AM

    I will be calling the places recommended on Monday. I am thinking I will wait until after vacation, as I don't know how long recovery is for them. I am going away in June. I want to be here in case I need to take him back to the vet for any reason.
    Though if the vet says it is not necessary then I will make an appointment for him sooner.
    On a side note Alty you should see all of the "house bunnies" we have lose in our neighborhood. I have heard rumors that someone breeds them and then lets them loose but to be honest no one knows where this person lives. If I had an actual address I would be calling the humane society. A lot of us on the street leave out carrots for them.
    Alty's Avatar
    Alty Posts: 28,317, Reputation: 5972
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    #8

    May 22, 2011, 02:15 PM

    Recovery can take a while. Rabbits are notorious nibblers. They need to be watched while they're healing, otherwise they will tear out their stitches.

    I highly recommend that you ask the vet to use sutures, not staples. I never had an issue with sutures, but the staples, it was bad. It took 4 times the time to recover because our rabbit tried everything he could to get at the staples, even though he had a cone on, he found a way. He ended up tearing out one of the staples and needed to go back to the vet. It was horrible.

    Kilala, our second shelter bunny, had surgery a few days before we got her and she was already cone free and doing well. She had sutures.

    Cotton wore the cone and didn't completely recover for over 2 months. :(

    Thumper, our first rescue bunny also had sutures, also had the surgery a few days before we adopted him, and also came home cone free and well on his way to recovery.

    I really hate staples, but many vets use them because they're easier. I really don't recommend them.

    Your bunny will have to wear a cone until he's healed enough that he can't tear open the wound. He will have some swelling, and pain. The vet will give you pain meds for the first few days. Make sure that bunny is eating immediately after he comes home. Like I said, rabbits need to eat constantly, they can't miss a meal. A rabbit that's not eating is a very sick rabbit.

    If all goes well he should be fine in a few days, and may even have the cone removed within those first few days, but more then likely he'll have to wear it for a week or more.

    Of course it goes without saying that during his recovery you shouldn't handle him too much. Pets, love, comfort, but no holding. He will lose a bit of fur, especially around his neck where the cone is. That will grow back very quickly.

    Since your rabbit is more then 2 years old I do recommend that you do the extra testing to make sure he can handle the anesthesia. It's an added cost, but with a rabbit over 2 years of age it's highly recommended.

    Now, I do have to say that no further advice will be given unless I get pictures. ;) :)
    mogrann's Avatar
    mogrann Posts: 860, Reputation: 193
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    #9

    May 23, 2011, 04:11 PM

    That is so funny. The person that Alty sent me me the name of and the place that Wondergirl linked are one and the same. It took me awhile to find that out but unless there are two vets with the same name it is the way it is. I did call but they are closed today so will be calling tomorrow.
    I did not sleep at all last night and finally slept in the day time so now I only have an hour before I got to go to work. I will ask Henry to take pics of Noble Garden for me and upload them on my computer. Tomorrow I will post them on the site:) I promise
    mogrann's Avatar
    mogrann Posts: 860, Reputation: 193
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    #10

    May 24, 2011, 03:24 PM
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    Alty's Avatar
    Alty Posts: 28,317, Reputation: 5972
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    #11

    May 24, 2011, 03:39 PM

    He's adorable. He reminds me of my bunny Thumper.

    I can't tell what breed he is, but the shape of his nose suggest he may be part hare. That may just be the picture though. ;)
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
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    #12

    May 24, 2011, 03:41 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Altenweg View Post
    He's adorable.
    Have you ever met a bunny you didn't think was adorable?
    Alty's Avatar
    Alty Posts: 28,317, Reputation: 5972
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    #13

    May 24, 2011, 03:46 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Wondergirl View Post
    Have you ever met a bunny you didn't think was adorable?
    LOL! I can honestly say no. I find them all adorable. But, there are some that are more adorable then others.
    mogrann's Avatar
    mogrann Posts: 860, Reputation: 193
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    #14

    May 24, 2011, 03:47 PM

    Good point Wondergirl. I just got off the phone with the vet. They do a exam first to make sure he can have the surgery and meet my handsome little guy. That is $80.00 plus gst. I am kind of concerned about it as my guy just is not the cuddly rabbit, though I am sure they are used to rabbits like that. Good thing is he has never bit anyone either so the most would be his growling and wanting you to leave him alone.

    The surgery is $190.00 plus gst. That does not include any medications he has to come home with.

    We are going to wait until after vacation so I can be home to make sure he is recovering well.
    Alty's Avatar
    Alty Posts: 28,317, Reputation: 5972
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    #15

    May 24, 2011, 03:50 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by mogrann View Post
    Good point Wondergirl. I just got off the phone with the vet. They do a exam first to make sure he can have the surgery and meet my handsome little guy. That is $80.00 plus gst. I am kinda concerned about it as my guy just is not the cuddly rabbit, though I am sure they are used to rabbits like that. Good thing is he has never bit anyone either so the most would be his growling and wanting you to leave him alone.

    The surgery is $190.00 plus gst. That does not include any medications he has to come home with.

    We are going to wait until after vacation so I can be home to make sure he is recovering well.
    That's actually a really good price Mogrann.

    With Cotton, after the initial consult, the surgery, and the meds, I ended up spending over $350 dollars. Then factor in the fact that I couldn't keep the cone on him (he's crafty) and I went back to get a yolk put on (another $60) which didn't work, all in all, I spent over $400.

    One little trick I learned. When he comes home with the cone, invest in a cat harness. Thread the cone into the harness. He won't be able to get it off. :)
    mogrann's Avatar
    mogrann Posts: 860, Reputation: 193
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    #16

    Jul 24, 2011, 03:42 PM

    Alty
    Let me begin with I understand if you are unable to answer this due to what is going on.

    I have quit my job and we are down an income. Now can I wait to get Noble fixed or should it be down soon? I am thinking a month or two until we get caught up on bills. IF it is necessary and not elective to have this done then I will find the money somehow.
    mogrann's Avatar
    mogrann Posts: 860, Reputation: 193
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    #17

    Jul 24, 2011, 04:04 PM

    Thank you so much! I tried to give you a thumbs up but I need to spread the rep around first
    Alty's Avatar
    Alty Posts: 28,317, Reputation: 5972
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    #18

    Jan 1, 2013, 08:56 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Mandylicious View Post
    Thank you for your quick reply.
    I love her more then anything and I will definitely keep trying to get her to come around thank you for your advice, much appreciated!!!!!!
    You're more than welcome. Keep me posted on how it all goes. Rabbits can be wonderful pets, I love all mine dearly. They can pose a few problems with behavior at times, but getting her spayed will rectify many of the issues you were having before. Now she just has to heal, and learn to trust you. Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to rabbits. :)
    mogrann's Avatar
    mogrann Posts: 860, Reputation: 193
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    #19

    May 7, 2013, 08:32 AM
    Update on Noble. She passed over to the Rainbow Bridge last night. Run free baby girl and eat all the carrots you want. Not sure if I posted in this thread or not but we found out from the vet that Noble was a she not a he as the pet store told us.
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
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    #20

    May 7, 2013, 11:28 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by mogrann View Post
    update on Noble. She passed over to the Rainbow Bridge last night. Run free baby girl and eat all the carrots you want. Not sure if I posted in this thread or not but we found out from the vet that Noble was a she not a he as the pet store told us.
    I'm so sorry, mogrann, but I hope Noble found my beloved cat Thomas Jefferson and they are rubbing noses now in friendship.

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