Puppy Pen Accident

Ebony had an awful accident three weeks ago. She was trapped in the puppy pen, which we used to rabbit-proof the room overnight. She’d pushed her head through the 1.5-inch gap and was stuck with the bars either side of her neck. Fortunately, we found her in time, but she was traumatised, badly hurt, her eyes were red and weepy, and she fractured two front toes; she struggled to chew and swallow any food for a fortnight following the accident.

We’d heard warnings about ‘X-pens’/puppy pens, and read advice to add mesh to stop rabbits becoming trapped between the bars, but assumed it only happened to smaller rabbits, with cheaper/flimsy pens, or rabbits unfamiliar with a pen.

PLEASE NOTE:

- Ebony is a 2kg adult rabbit, with a broad head;

- The puppy pen bars are strong – significant force was required to prise them apart to release Ebony’s head;

- We’ve used puppy pens for the 5 years Ebony’s lived here (and long before that), yet she has rarely even poked her nose through.

The fact that it’s happened to Ebony shows it can happen to any rabbit. Please don’t make our mistake of assuming it won’t happen – if you use puppy pens, add a mesh or other covering to protect your rabbits.

We don’t think Ebony had been trapped for long when we discovered her, as there was only a small amount of fur on the carpet from her struggle – possibly she heard us downstairs and was excited about breakfast. Initially we weren’t sure she’d survive. We were all traumatised, but a thorough examination by our vet found no damage to her neck, head, or teeth, and she responded to pain relief. Ebony avoids being picked up, so we battled with administering meloxicam and syringe feeding. For three days, she was unable to eat even chopped, mashed, soaked, or pureed food.

We have replaced our puppy pens with plastic panels, to rabbit-proof areas of the room, and covered the night-time puppy pen fence with mesh panels. Hopefully we can make others aware of this hazard.

 

Introducing Snoop

Snoop joined us on Sunday 24th September. We adopted him from Foal Farm Animal Rescue. He was found roaming Dartmouth Park, in northwest London, back in May, and, following a health check by a local vet, taken to Foal Farm. He was adopted but, despite best attempts, didn't bond with the rabbit in that home, so was returned to Foal Farm. A few days later, we visited the rescue centre, and he bounded forward in his enclosure to meet us. We hoped he might be the one for Ebony, and applied to adopt him, but on the understanding that we would return him to the rescue centre if they were not suited to one another. A week later, we were informed we could collect him when we were ready. We collected him the same day, realising it was vital Ebony had a bunny companion as soon as possible.

One of the hardest things, after losing a rabbit, is to deal with the remaining rabbit companion. It's heartbreaking to see them alone. They will also be grieving, but they will, generally, be ready far sooner for a new partner than we are to find one for them. Rabbits are social creatures – companionship is a welfare need (read here why it's so important). The signs of loneliness may be obvious, for example losing interest in food, or more subtle. Ebony started to spend more time with us – although that was lovely, we knew it was out of character and a sign she was missing Dijon. Perhaps we could have waited slightly longer if she'd been happy to accept our cuddles (although of course we cannot be there for her 24/7, and offer the things another rabbit can do, such as cleaning her eyes and ears), but instead she rested alongside a soft toy rabbit.

Ebony and Snoop spent their 'bunnymoon' in the utility room (we will write about the bonding in a future post), fell in love, and the happy couple returned to our living room just a week later. 

They are already getting up to so much mischief together!

 

 

 

 Fundraiser in Memory of Dijon

 

 

We said goodbye to Dijon, on Monday 11 September. He joined our family, along with his half-sister Mabel, when he was 2 months old, in August 2011, and gave us over 12 years of pure, unconditional love. Back then, our children were aged 9, 5, and 3 – although Dijon was never 'their' pet, he was a member of our family, and, as such, he lived through some of their biggest milestones, and shared moments of joy and sadness. He was always there to offer cuddles – on their first days at school, and last days at primary or secondary school; during exams; and, for our eldest (who is now 21), at each step as he started working up the career ladder. He was my constant companion, as I work from home. Many times, his demands for cuddles were responsible for making us late, as we were about to leave the house, or indigestion, when we had to reach down during a meal.

We joined the Rabbit Welfare Association in 1998, simply to find out how to keep our first rabbit indoors, but over the years we have learned so much and developed our approach towards caring for our rabbits accordingly. For example, our first rabbit, Lupin, was kept in an indoor hutch when we were at work… now our bunnies have 24/7 access to our entire living room, and through the patio doors to a run on most days – our living room is a bunny playground! Through our membership of the RWAF, our vet was able to access the RWAF specialist veterinary advice service, and thanks to this, Mabel had several extra years of quality life, for which we are so grateful.

The RWAF works tirelessly to improve domestic rabbits’ health and welfare. It’s a cause very close to our hearts, and we would be so grateful if you are able to donate, in honour of Dijon – a little boy with an enormous hear. Please use the link below, if you are able to donate.

 

Fundraiser in memory of Dijon 

 

Goodbye

Goodbye, dear Dijon, our special little man.

We are all heartbroken. Thank you for 12 precious years of pure, unconditional love.

 

12 Years Old!

 

Dijon celebrated his 12th Birthday on Tuesday!

Quite an achievement! Dijon was born on 13 June 2011. His Dad was called Luigi, his Mum was Lily – both yellow Dutch rabbits.

When we lost Neroli, our 9.5yr old bunny, we had tried to adopt some bunnies from a local rescue, but the rescue wasn’t keen on rehoming their rabbits in a household with children. Such a shame – our three children were born into a home with rabbits, so they were very good, still to this day have never picked up a rabbit, and are the best bunny slaves. Anyway, we were tempted by a breeder advertising two litters of Dutch rabbits. We  would never go to a breeder now – there are so many rabbits in rescues, waiting for their forever homes. Fortunately the breeder closed down shortly after we adopted our rabbits.  

We went to see the baby rabbits on 10 July, 2011, when they were just under 4wks old. We picked Dijon because we liked his wide blaze (the white marking on a Dutch rabbit's nose), and Mabel from the other litter – she was the only black bunny. Mabel had the same Dad as Dijon, but a different Mum – Coco. As soon as they were old enough, the breeder put them into a hutch together, so they could become friends before going to their new home.

We collected them on 9 August 2011. Dijon has always loved his cuddles and his food, and he adored his half-sister, Mabel. She was with us until 2018, when she lost her battle with a jaw abscess. That’s when we adopted Ebony. Since then, Dijon has lost his whiskers, suffered a knee injury, and had two emergency surgeries within 48hrs back in November, when he had some problems with passing droppings. He bounced back, and is still loving life. The secret? Possibly all the cuddles, from everyone in the family (plus Ebony, of course!). 

Dijon enjoyed his Birthday, with lots of cuddles and treats! 

 

11 years old today!

 

Today, Dijon has reached the grand age of 11 years old! 

He started his special day with a
Birthday breakfast, then his usual morning patrol of his favourite new room (followed by a couple of raisins as payment for his inspection services), then went out in the sunshine to enjoy some grass and herbs, including his favourite lemon balm.

He is looking forward to opening his Birthday gift later (an 'I Love Hay Forage Cube', one of his favourites... shhh!!), and is expecting an extra special Birthday Boy tea.

A Hop, a Skip, and a Jump

He may well be 10½ years old, but there's still a skip in Dijon's step.

When he asked to come up onto the sofa, we had no idea what mischief he had in mind (usually it's something naughty involving either the telephone or pen pot). 

This is what he did…

 

Dijon's X-ray day

This is what the bunnies think of us today, after they had to spend six hours at the vet surgery yesterday. 

Dijon was sedated to have X-rays, which revealed the cause of his limping (which started last week) - a ruptured knee ligament. He hadn't responded to Loxicom for pain relief, prescribed at last week's appointment, so we suspected it wasn't arthritis - especially as it was such a sudden development. He also had a dental to burr some long teeth and sharp spurs, and more investigations into his watery right eye - a problem which started a few weeks ago and hasn't responded to the antibiotic eye drops or the tear duct flush. X-rays showed that tooth roots aren’t the problem, so this one is a bit of a mystery, as is the large, superficial ulcer on his left eye. 

Ebony had her vaccination - it's great that they only require one trip for the new triple vaccine, but they both have to go back for an appointment next week to check how Dijon's doing! They are expecting lots of treats today and planning their avoidance scheme for next week's trip.

Kale-monath

Like many people right now, we are looking forward to spring – the bunnies will hopefully be able to enjoy some fresh grass and herbs in the garden, and lie in the sunshine, rather than by the radiator, for warmth. It's been a long winter, much of it in lockdown, and perhaps you too are pleased that February is the shortest month. An Old English name for February is Solmonath, which means 'mud month'. The bunnies think the other old name – kale-Monath (cabbage month) – is more hopeful.

It is indeed muddy in the garden now, but last week we had some snow. Ebony hasn't been out in snow since she came to live here, and probably hadn't experienced it in her previous homes. She enjoyed nibbling it, and also digging some in the planters. Dijon ventured out briefly, but wisely decided to go back indoors.

During the first lockdown, as we were all at home to supervise, we were able to remove part of the bunnies' fence during the day, which had previously created their large enclosure (most of the living/dining room).  They are now free to wander out of the living/dining room – in theory they have access to the whole house. However, Ebony hasn’t yet moved out of the living room – the hall has slippery laminate flooring. Dijon does go into the hall and kitchen, but fortunately knows the stairs are too much of a challenge for him. He hops into the kitchen several times a day… sometimes to see what’s going on, but mostly when he hears anyone preparing food or drink. He wanders out, gives his puppy dog eyes for a treat, then either eats it on the spot or races back to tell Ebony it’s coming. She is usually waiting at the threshold, although still doesn’t understand Dijon's body language too well – he races happily towards her, sometimes thumping in excitement, but she often seems to think he's on the offense, and growls at him!

Here are some photos taken over the past month. 

Where's the sunshine?

It's been a week of gloomy news and gloomy weather, but the bunnies have enjoyed having everyone at home for another lockdown - well, at least Dijon has. It means he has more people around to go to for more cuddles. Ebony still doesn't need cuddles from anyone other than Dijon. Here are a few recent photos.