A little Rabbit Help.

[AndrewLyon 0]

Hey everyone, I have a brother and he owns a Rabbit! Now in our house, we have two of them, one male, and one female. The male was fixed many months ago!

However, tonight the female rabbit got under a sofa, and started tearing at her fur. She would snarl at any and all who tried to get to her until she was good and ready. (She's right now in her cage, appearing to be happy) There appears to be a slight swelling under her chin, I do not know if this is normal for her. Does anyone know what the cause of this behaviour is?

 

Cheers

[Merina 0]

I would not know, since I don't own a rabbit. May want to take her to the vet though.

Edited June 25, 2004 by Merina

[Vex Xiang 0]

Sounds like you have one of the dreaded vampire bunnies. I recommend you go talk to the celery people...they might be able to help.

[Images 0]

its the killing moon donnie darko :lol:

[Tovan 0]

It seems your Rabbit has evil plans in stored ::gulps::

[STSF_BluRox 0]

Hey everyone, I have a brother and he owns a Rabbit! Now in our house, we have two of them, one male, and one female. The male was fixed many months ago!

However, tonight the female rabbit got under a sofa, and started tearing at her fur. She would snarl at any and all who tried to get to her until she was good and ready. (She's right now in her cage, appearing to be happy) There appears to be a slight swelling under her chin, I do not know if this is normal for her. Does anyone know what the cause of this behaviour is?

 

Cheers

Hi Andrew,

 

Don't worry about the swelling under the chin. Rabbits have scent glands under their chins, and will often rub their chins against anything they are claiming is their area. It's most likely, that when she was under the couch preparing a nest, she was marking the furniture, carpet and anything else she could reach to let other rabbits know....Hey..this is MY nesting spot, go away. Males have this same gland. It's absolutely normal. However, if she's rubbed it to the point of it being an open sore, you may want to apply some triple anti-biotic creme or have your vet look at her.

 

As for the hair pulling, if it's a younger rabbit, she may just be going through an estrous cycle, which for rabbits, is almost constantly. Fortunately, your buck is neutered, or so you hope they did the job right!! She may just be reacting to the fact that she's reached a stage of maturity, or she perhaps got wind of another male rabbit that wasn't neutered. A third possibility is that she may be exhibiting a false pregnancy. Keep an eye on her, and if she continues to pull the hair, which is a nesting response, you again may want to consider a visit to your veterinarian. This may be the case if you are housing both the doe and buck in the same cage. Normally, if he were unneutered, you would take the doe to his cage for breeding, then remove her. Female rabbits are known for attacking intact bucks brought to their cage if they are in the wrong aspect of their cycle. She is most likely young and confused. But if you are housing them together, you may want to consider separate hutches. It may be that the chin rubbing is an issue in she's warning the male away from her, and could eventually start fighting with him. You may want to check some of the rabbit chat rooms and ask other breeders and hobbiest what they would recommend. It's been awhile since I've done more than hunt them, but this is the best I can recommend at this time.

 

Blu

[Vex Xiang 0]

Normally, if he were unneutered, you would take the doe to his cage for breeding, then remove her. Female rabbits are known for attacking intact bucks brought to their cage if they are in the wrong aspect of their cycle. She is most likely young and confused. But if you are housing them together, you may want to consider separate hutches. It may be that the chin rubbing is an issue in she's warning the male away from her, and could eventually start fighting with him.

 

Sounds like a regular Saturday night to me. Good advice Blu :lol: Figures the kitty cat would be an expert on rabbits :lol:

[AndrewLyon 0]

The female has calmed down, and they already live in seperate cages. We do let them out to play time to time, but due to his fear of stairs, she has the basement to herself:-)

The male was castrated, so I if she is pregant, then either she arrived like that (She's young, less than a year), or the vet make one BIG FURRY Mistake with the male:-P

Edited June 26, 2004 by AndrewLyon

[STSF_BluRox 0]

they already live in seperate cages.

 

The male was castrated, so I if she is pregant, then either she arrived like that (She's young, less than a year), or the vet make one BIG FURRY Mistake with the male:-P

Seeing as the doe would have a 31 day gestation period, and you've had her a long time, she didn't come that way. It's spring, she's probably just getting into an estrous cycle and did what comes natural for rabbits in the spring.

 

I wouldn't worry about it. She should be fine. So should your buck with the separate housing. Playing together should be fine. One thing to watch out for if you let them wander.....electrical cords....they love to chew them.

 

Blu

 

QUOTE (Vex Xiang @ Jun 26 2004, 11:00 AM )

Figures the kitty cat would be an expert on rabbits

 

Many years of schooling and degrees in both animal and biological sciences is all. Finally, a questions I could actually answer. Now, ask me how to set up the cable modem I just bought and am looking at the box over on the table...and I'm totally lost. Hmm, I could just call the cable guy to come do it for me. Sounds like a plan.....

Edited June 26, 2004 by STSF_BluRox

[AndrewLyon 0]

Don't remind me about cables, spent all Thursday replacing & repairing ones she chewed. While the male (1 year her SR) doesn't do that trick, and he was cage broken until she arrived.