|
|
Post by Die Fledermaus on Aug 26, 2007 22:35:34 GMT -4
Saturday I rescued an abandoned big rabbit at a local pet store. He (or she?) was dumped there with cage. The rabbit is aggressive and when it sees something to its front it lunges at it trying to bite, and it grunts. Currently, I can touch it gently on the lower back, but keep away from the head and eyes!! Why might this aggression have occurred? What measures can we use to calm it down? (I am saying "it" as the gender is unknown and I have no plans to try to sex it alone!!). The name is Caerbannog after the killer rabbit in this thread: kanez.proboards22.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=L&thread=1104721862&page=1 |
|
|
|
Post by Andrea on Aug 27, 2007 1:50:27 GMT -4
By the look of her, she looks like she's ready to pop out some babies.
I'm saying "her" because of the dewlap, pretty much only female rabbits have them.
Also many rabbits are territorial and will lung/growl/bite if they feel you are to close to their territory.
At this time I would let her be, give her a box (not cardboard if possible, maybe a litter pan?) with towels in it, so she can make a nest if she needs to.
Keep half of the cage covered so she feels safe, and talk to her regularly, and give treats.
If she isn't pregnant they she is extremely fat.
She is a beautiful bunny. And I'm sure with some TLC she will turn around. Rabbits just take longer then most pets to adjust to new situations and such. Jackpot took 6-8 months to just let me pet him. Many rabbits get stressed when their enviroment changes so just let her settle in.
Good luck with her!
|
|
|
|
Post by pinky on Aug 27, 2007 12:48:15 GMT -4
Indeed, she is a lovely color.
Good luck with her.
|
|
|
|
Post by Die Fledermaus on Aug 27, 2007 13:42:58 GMT -4
>> By the look of her, she looks like she's ready to pop out some babies. I'm saying "her" because of the dewlap, pretty much only female rabbits have them. << Whoa!!  Where's the male?!  Thanks for the info. I was told she is fat - too much rabbit mix instead of greens?? More later . . . |
|
|
|
Post by Andrea on Aug 27, 2007 16:04:23 GMT -4
Yes pellets can be a bring problem and cause obesity.
Yes she could just be real fat, and the dewlap we're seeing could just be fat. My jackpot has a bit of a dewlap and he's all boy (well except for the 'bits' we removed LOL).
I would let her settle in, and then if she continues with the bad behavior then start dominance techniques. With Ani or other rabbits, if they lung at me or another rabbit, i will press their heads down and hold them saying "no", if they bite i will squeal. I will also turn my back on them and thump ignoring them for a while, and sometimes (specially with Ani) i will pinch the fur on their butt like a rabbit would do to bite them. All these behaviors other rabbits would do to them, so they know what it means.
|
|
|
|
Post by Die Fledermaus on Aug 27, 2007 19:00:44 GMT -4
>> i will squeal. << I have never squealed before. Describe. You mean they DO actually bite you and then you squeal? >> and thump << You must be quite a sight thumping and squealing!  What type of rabbit is she? I assume that dewlap will go down as she loses weight? Anyway, very interesting stuff. Thanks. We shall see, I and shall keep you posted. Are pregnant rabbits more aggressive? |
|
|
|
Post by Andrea on Aug 27, 2007 19:42:48 GMT -4
Yes, if that rabbit has bit you, then you squeal.
I'm not known as teh crazy rabbit lady for nothing LOL
Lop cross for sure.
meh, I duno it may not.
Yes. When your full of babies you'd be grumpy too LOL
|
|
|
|
Post by Andrea on Aug 27, 2007 19:43:31 GMT -4
PS - I posted her photo to get some more thoughts from some of the bunny enthusiasts.
|
|
|
|
Post by Die Fledermaus on Aug 27, 2007 19:58:45 GMT -4
Susan, my friend and rescue colleague, just told me she also thinks the rabbit might be pregnant - or have a tumor! She is forwarding that photo to her vet. |
|
|
|
Post by Andrea on Aug 27, 2007 22:06:17 GMT -4
Most of the responces to the picture are she looks preggers... but this post worried me, We have seen rabbits with huge cyst like that before.  |
|
|
|
Post by Die Fledermaus on Sept 5, 2007 23:09:37 GMT -4
Here are two photos taken today of this now calmer rabbit.   |
|
|
|
Post by pinky on Sept 6, 2007 19:28:14 GMT -4
Awww--she looks like she wouldn't harm a flea!
Her eyes are lovely!
|
|
|
|
Post by Die Fledermaus on Sept 6, 2007 19:42:17 GMT -4
Wave your fingers in front of her and you may lose them. o |
|
|
|
Post by Andrea on Sept 7, 2007 12:00:27 GMT -4
My Ani can be the same way, but we're slowly working on it.
Does she also try and bite you when she's out of her cage? Allot of rabbits are territorial and will act aggressive only in their cages.
She sure is pretty, I love her colouring. With the new pictures, I would just say she's overweight and not pregnant.
|
|
|
|
Post by Die Fledermaus on Sept 7, 2007 19:54:47 GMT -4
I know about the territorial thing. She mostly wants to hide and explore a little when out, but she is not out much.
Here is a question. I have exclusive access (besides the super who rarely goes there) to the large basement storeroom - tall ceiling and big enough to fit almost three two-bedroom apartments in there. Concrete floor; not filthy but, well, not clean (dusty); a fair amount of stuff down there including old furniture. If I could (and I can) secure a portion of it to prevent hiding and vanishing acts, what do you think of letting rabbits and GPs run down there? They can't run much up here (no room; poops), and maybe the concrete will wear down nails. (?)
|
|
Where's the male?! 
