Bonded rabbits - Admit both?

RE: Bonded rabbits - Admit both?

Iain Richards — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 09:22:17 GMT

It's an interesting conundrum. For best welfare, rabbits need companions. Yet the welfare of bonded rabbits seems to be an issue if they have to be separated for treatment. One conclusion could be that, as a species, rabbits per se are unsuitable to be kept as pets. Or need to be in threes

RE: Bonded rabbits - Admit both?

Glenn Hodgson — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 08:34:43 GMT

Thanks all for thoughts so far.

Has anyone ever had things "go wrong" due to a buddy being admitted at the same time? For example, a ketamine fueled fight on recovery? One bunnie eating overgrooming/chewing at the others surgical site?

RE: Bonded rabbits - Admit both?

janine redman — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 19:01:39 GMT

We often admit both rabbits of a pair, but it is then stressful for the second rabbit so I think it needs to be discussed. What needs to be remembered is that if you seperate the bonded pair then when the admitted rabbit is re introduced you remove the healthy one from its hutch first, then put the admitted rabbit into the hutch on its own for half an hour so it smells normal. Only then return the healthy rabbit . This reduces territorial issues and aggression because the rabbit returning from the surgery will smell wrong and could be perceived as a threat

RE: Bonded rabbits - Admit both?

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 18:11:28 GMT

Both need exceptionally high doses of at least some painkillers.

Wynne

RE: Bonded rabbits - Admit both?

Marie Kubiak — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 18:09:17 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"] The similarities between rabbits and donkeys are amazing. [/quote]

And both can be cantankerous awkward patients!

RE: Bonded rabbits - Admit both?

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 18:07:46 GMT

The similarities between rabbits and donkeys are amazing. Both hind gut fermenters. Both hide the fact that they're unwell, so if they look ill, then they're very ill. Both will die (enterotoxaemia/lipidosis) if they stop eating. Both form strong pair bonds.

Wynne

RE: Bonded rabbits - Admit both?

Marie Kubiak — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 17:48:02 GMT

I always used to have them in together where possible, removing the relevant one only for procedures and putting them back in as soon as they were ambulatory and was happy with this. Does increase cleaning and observation a little but nurses have always been on board despite this.

We had one rabbit admitted for a conscious scan with his bonded companion left at home. They were separated for 3-4hrs but fought horrendously on reintroduction and it took 2wks to rebond them with lots of phone calls and emails to the practice. Others have had minor skirmishes or needed rebonding after similar or longer hospitalisation but to a lesser degree.

Asides from disrupting the bond, rabbits are social and to isolate each of a pair stresses both. I feel that rabbits are calmer and cope better when with a companion but that is entirely subjective!

I tend to keep bonded pairs or trios together unless the healthy one is very stressy at the practice and would be compromised by being hospitalised. If the sickly one hasn't been passing faeces then you can usually tell when they start as they will be smaller and darker than the companion's poos. If we need to check then we temporarily separate them with ongoing visual contact.

Marie

RE: Bonded rabbits - Admit both?

Glenn Hodgson — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 12:25:37 GMT

Thanks for highlighting the definition of bonded Michael

It was the context of the reply rather than the definition of "unglued" that I could not grasp.

RE: Bonded rabbits - Admit both?

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 10:54:41 GMT

[quote user="Glenn Hodgson"]

Sorry Iain, You've lost me.

Unglued?

[/quote]

bonded

ˈbɒndɪd/

adjective

adjective: bonded

(of a thing or things) joined securely to another or each other, especially by an adhesive, heat process, or pressure.

"a bonded carpet"

RE: Bonded rabbits - Admit both?

Glenn Hodgson — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 10:52:05 GMT

[quote user="Iain Richards"]

Definitely,

Otherwise how do you get them unglued...

[/quote]

Hi Ian,

Unglued? Sorry Iain[quote user="Iain Richards"]

Definitely,

Otherwise how do you get them unglued...

[/quote]

Sorry Iain, You've lost me.

Unglued?

RE: Bonded rabbits - Admit both?

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 10:48:53 GMT

[quote user="Iain Richards"]Otherwise how do you get them unglued...[/quote]

That was what came to mind with me. I assume this is a trendy term for hutchmates?

If they can't be apart for a day then that's not the kind of friend you want.

(then I used to keep a rabbit and guinea pig together so what do I know)

RE: Bonded rabbits - Admit both?

Iain Richards — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 08:33:51 GMT

Definitely,

Otherwise how do you get them unglued...

RE: Bonded rabbits - Admit both?

Robin Grimmer — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 22:20:32 GMT

Only trouble is if you admit both together you can't tell if your patient is eating/ drinking/pooing.