Poorly Mabel

A few months ago, I took Mabel to the vet because she was sneezing really frequently. At least we thought it was sneezes, but since then - having realised how she sneezes  - I think the sort of quacking noise was probably a cough. Anyway, she was prescribed a 2wk dose of antibiotics, and I removed the hay we were using (which I realised was not dust-extracted) and the sneezes/coughs stopped.

However, since then, we have been aware of her rapid breathing. Maybe it's always been like that, and we only noticed because we were paying more attention, after that problem. Recently it has seemed to be really noticeable though - she doesn't struggle in any way to breath, no flared nostrils, no discharge, eating well, active, happy... just simply the rapid breathing, which is quite visible as it rocks her.

When she and Dijon were sleeping, we counted their breathes for a minute - 38 for Dijon, 90 for Mabel!

We saw the vet this afternoon, who thinks that she has chronic mild pneumonia, something she will probably have to live with, and hopes to manage it by keeping her away from dust, and daily dose of antibiotics - Karidox (Doxycycline) 10mg/ml, 0.08ml per day (should be easy to disguise in food!).

Hopefully this should prevent the coughing/sneezing returning, and the breathing should calm a bit. 

Happy Birthday Mabel!

On Wednesday, Mabel celebrated her 4th Birthday. Her Birthday platter was prepared by her two youngest servants, and she shared it with Dijon. 

Happy Birthday Dijon!

Here is Dijon celebrating his 4th Birthday, by enjoying a Birthday platter prepared by his girl servant. He shared it with Mabel, in the hope that she remembers his generosity next week, when it will be her Birthday!

 

Naughty Bunny Disguised as Pianist

We have become very used to Mabel hopping effortlessly onto the piano keyboard and playing a quick tune before leaping into the hay storage basket on top of the bunnies' puppy crate cage.

Thankfully, I happened to be watching her this morning when she was playing a tune. She stepped on the bass notes, not her usual melody...

She had spotted a hanging branch of the parlour palm plant, which lives 'safely' - and usually out of reach - on the bureau beside the piano...

I caught hold of the pot just as she tugged the branch, toppling the plant. She darted out of the way, but the bureau, piano and carpet were showered with compost, and all the pebbles and pine cones the children have collected and placed in the pot over the years. 

What a mess, and she showed no remorse. Instead came a battle between me and two bunnies, both desperate to sample the spilt contents of the pot. 

Is nothing safe?! Thank goodness for Hetty's extra long tube. 

Wanted: Ear Thief

Mabel says she would like to report an incident of ear theft. First one
was taken, and then the other.

Going... going... GONE!

Mabel and Dijon do their impressions of Ermintrude from 'The Magic
Roundabout'.

A Lazy Weekend

Dijon says it's been a tough week, so he deserves to put his feet up this weekend.

The Dijon Machine

Cylindrical input ▶ Spherical output
(Food pellets ▶droppings)

Amazing! He's a bit like one of those old fashioned food mincers.

The All Ears Podcast

The All Ears Podcast is an audio podcast, available directly from the
website or via iTunes, hosted by Kathy Gillibrand and Sabina Fox. It was
launched in November 2014. Four episodes have been released so far,
covering the changes to best practice in rabbit welfare over the past
ten years, snuffles and stasis, and then, for episodes 3 and 4, Dr Twigs
Way talks about foraging for rabbits and housing for rabbits. Episode 5,
recorded with Jo Hinde, should be released soon, and there are more
equally awesome special guests lined up to talk.

http://www.theallearspodcast.com/podcast/

Fresh supplies, at last!

Just over a week late, the bunnies' supplies finally arrived this
afternoon. We were allowed to keep the 4 bags of hay which had arrived
from the first order, and a whole new second order, so now have 10 bags
of hay! They were also kind enough to pass on a voucher as compensation.

Mabel and Dijon have fresh litter, fresh hay, and some Readigrass as a
treat... they say that all is right with the world, but have warned me
that if I EVER let supplies run so low again, they will carry out their
plan to cause further extensive cable damage in the living room...