Senior Buns

Daisy: This post is all about senior rabbits, or "buns," a nickname for the word "bunnies." I personally wonder why I have to have something to do with this blog, because I am not, what you may say, old. I am, in fact, nearly 3 years old, which is like, a mature adult in the rabbit world, like, say, 25, or even 30. Okay, not 30, but like, 20. Yeah, 20. When you are anywhere between "weeks" or "days", you are a kid. When you are in "months," it's like a teenager, and in "years", you are an adult. When you reach 7 years you are an old rabbit, like 75 years. A rabbit that lives over 10 years is like a 110 year old person! Wow! I don't know if that is good or bad, but..... Well, I had better stop now. You know how I get carried away!

Signs of an Aging Rabbit

Sleeping More Often

Your rabbit will not want to romp around the house, but instead, you will find him snuggling in a certain place. A good idea is to get a little dog or cat bed and put it in a place where you are very often. You will also notice he does not climb stairs or other things like he used to.

Not using the Litter-Box

Rabbits can get arthritis, so he may not be able to hop into his litter-box like usual. Low opening litter-boxes are good when you cannot be there to lift him into his box.

Not Grooming as Well

Your pet bunny will almost always get arthritis as he gets older. Soon, it will be difficult for him to groom himself like normal and this could lead to a smelly pet. A baby wipe or barely wet washcloth can help this problem.

Care Tips

Excerpts about senior rabbit care from Bunny Bunch S.P.C.R president and founder of the rescue organization, Caroline Charland. The complete article can be found in the Rabbits magazine, which can be purchased online at www.smallanimalchannel.com.

Living Quarters

Keep living quarters safe, comfortable, and clean. Remove any item that could have potential danger to your rabbit. At Bunny Bunch, we cover bricks in fake sheepskin to give our rabbits something to lean against.... Rabbits also enjoy having pillows to rest their heads against too.....We also use washable pee pads for our rabbits via litter boxes because it hurts their feet with or without a metal grate.

Another Rabbit

I strongly recommend that rabbits live with at least one other rabbit.... In old age we see rabbits do amazing things for each other. Some rabbits will clean each other's eyes or groom their fur...... A rabbit that has become blind does much better when living with another rabbit...... They will guide the other one around and let them lean on him.

Lots of Love

Spend time with your rabbit. Senior rabbits are very sweet and they rarely ever want to be left alone. Even the friskiest rabbit here at Bunny Bunch becomes calmer and laid-back once he is older. 

Happy Days for Rabbits

Nowadays, many pet rabbits are spending their life enjoying free-run of a house or a special room. The danger of outdoor living is gone. Today's house rabbits are living to be 12, 13, or even 14 years old. 

People are more aware of rabbit care now. They are taking their pet rabbits to the veterinarian, feeding them safe foods, and making sure they are living in a good environment, not making the horrible decision of living outdoors. At the Bunny Bunch Burrow, the organization I founded, people come to learn about rabbits. Every day a rabbit gets a loving home as a true member of the family. As more and more people own rabbits, people will start to notice them and understand them better. They will realize that rabbits are like a cat or dog, a pet rather than a wild animal. At Bunny Bunch, we care for our rabbits in the best way possible, which contributes to giving our rabbits a longer life span, and hopefully a great home with a caring family.

Go to www.bunnybunch.com to see rabbits you can adopt today and give a loving home forever!

Not Just Fleas!

The beautiful colors....the migrating geese.....Autumn is the time where you can really appreciate nature.

But it's also the time for ticks and mosquitoes to start biting before the cold snow starts to come. If you let your small pet go on a harness outside, you have to be sure not to stay out too long. "Pets can not only get dehydrated, they can also get bitten pretty bad by those insects out there." a dog website tells readers.

Set up a Mini "Pet Treatment Center!"

Ouch! Have you ever been bitten or stung before? Boy, does it hurt! If you think your dog, cat, or other pet has been bitten or stung, try these simple, soothing methods for pets.

1. Remove any stingers by gently scratching with the side of a credit card or your own finger on the wound area. The stung area will look pink and puffy and will have a brown line embedded in your pet's skin.
2. Take some ice in a plastic bag and carefully press it on the pet's wound. There might be a little blood.
3. Inject any venom in the bloodstream by putting a little baking soda and water or a small amount of meat tenderizer on your pet's wound site.
4. To reduce itching and irritation, put milk of magnesia all over the bite or sting wound.
5. To lessen any more pain, make up an oatmeal bath either using special pet oatmeal-shampoo, or you can also tie a sock filled with regular oatmeal or some colloidal to the water faucet. The water will wash out the sock, creating a creamy texture to the water.
6. Get some ammonia and put it on a cotton swab. Rub it on the area. If you don't have ammonia, grab some hydro-cortisone cream and put a thin layer on your pet's bite or sting. This will decrease any more pain.

When you are done with the treatment, watch your pet carefully. Every day, put a little aloe-vera gel on the bite or sting. The healing process will increase more quickly.

If you think your pet has been bitten by a black widow or brown recluse spider, take him to the vet immediately. You will save his life.

A few tips by Daisy and Peanut (when your pet needs the vet)

• If your pet has lumps all over him, you should take him into the vet. He could have allergies.
• If your pet has a small bug the size of a this period(.) or larger stuck under his fur, this is a tick. When the are as big as your fingernail, that means they are filled with blood. Remove them with tweezers and take your pet into the vet--pronto! 
• A way to keep mosquitoes away is pet-friendly insect spray or, a clip-on one to put on your pet's collar. Mosquitoes aren't something to worry about like a different insect bite or sting is, but it still can get itchy!! 

Are you sure you're OK??

Bunnies can't just get your attention and say: "Uh, I don't think I am feeling good", or "This really hurts!"

The most they can do to allow you to notice them is squeak or grunt--and sometimes you can hardly even tell what those grunts mean. Signs having to do with behavior changes or unexpected things your bunny may do can also be confusing. Here are some "Help my bunny's" that can help you determine what is wrong!

"Help, my bunny's......

abdomen is swollen"

This may be a sign of severe gas or acute bloat and must be treated immediately with simethicone to save the rabbit's life. 

coughing/choking"

Rabbits may occasionally cough, choke, and snort during mealtime. Gently take a clean soft cloth and wipe the rabbit's face and the nostril area. If the coughing continues for more than a minute, consult a veterinarian. 

ears are hot!"

While petting your bunny, you may notice either hot or cold ears. This indicates that the rabbit is either feeling very hot or very cold. Keep your rabbit inside at all times, unless you are letting them out on a harness for a little while, because they do not deal with high or low temperatures very well.

leg is dangling!"

Most likely the leg is broken, or cut so badly it has gotten so swollen they cannot bend it. You can easily tell by the size and how normal-looking the leg is. Do not, and I mean NOT try any "home remedies" such as a home-made cast or any sort of ointment on the rabbit, just take them to your trusted vet who helps with emergency care. (P.S: Choose the best vet who specializes only in emergencies, even if your other vet who only does check-ups claims to do this kind of care. Believe me, he could make the leg even worse...)

lying on the floor not moving"

Well, this can be many different things. One, it could be as simple as your bunny is catching some "Z"s. But if the rabbit is panting or breathing very slightly, the rabbit may die soon or is already dead. In these cases, you may only have one choice, and that is to take bunny to the vet for his last time.

For more rabbit first aid tips, go to: smallanimalchannel.com/rabbit first aid

Spooky!

My sister holds her bunny Lily--this rabbit doesn't need a costume!!

Happy Halloween, everybody! Today we are getting stuff ready: carving our pumpkins, filling the candy bowl......It's a surprise I had any time to post something today, but it's a good thing I do!! Anyway, I wanted to talk about the real scary stuff going on if you have a pet. Number one, costumes. Anyone loves to see a bunny in a magician's hat or even a rat (I saw this once!) role-playing a parrot while sitting on a "pirate's" shoulder. They may look so cute and the oohs and aahs prove it, but is it the right size? Is it too tight or too loose? Does the pet feel comfortable wearing the costume? Ask yourself these questions before you put anything on your pet.

Next up is the candy. It may be the best treat on earth, but never give your critter a nibble of a chocolate bar. (The same with dogs or cats;they can easily get a hold of your stash of candy and you could find them with a guilty look--and even worse, they'll have to go to the vet!) To solve this yearly dilemma, give Rufus a dog biscuit, and he'll likely be satisfied with his very own Halloween treat. The same goes with small pets--hand them a few sunflower seeds or even some pumpkin seeds and watch them enjoy it!

 Last but definitely not least, is decor. Those cute pumpkins and black-and-orange garlands may look harmless, but could easily lead to deadly consequences. Keep flames up high, and avoid decorations your pet could chew on, get stuck in, or break(such as glass items). Animals love to eat pumpkins, and if they fall inside, the flame could burn their fur and injure them. Use fake candles which shine LED lights, and keep most decor outdoors if possible.



All holidays can be potentially dangerous to your small pet. Have fun, and be safe!! Happy Halloween--I hope you get lots of treats and no tricks!!

ATTACK OF THE VAMPIRE BUNNY!!