Say a big welcome to the newest addition to my crew, a rescued angora bunny!

[luckies4me]

I took in a rescue today from a friend as she lost her apartment and had to leave the bun bun with someone as she has no idea where she is going. The bunny is very cute! :D I am in love with her already. She is such a sweety. She has a few mats so I will have to groom her later on today and she really needs a nail trim. Her stay here will only be until my friend finds another place. She had to place her rats with a friend as well. So she will be going back to her mommy unless her mom changes her mind. I kinda think she'll end up staying here, but we will have to see. Now I have only owned a few rabbits in my lifetime so ANY bunny advice would be appreciated. She's in a small wire rabbit cage right now but I am going to get her a hutch. When I went to pet her head she made a weird grunting noise. Is this normal? It didn't seem like an agressive noise, and there was no thumping, and I am afraid it sounded like a respiratory issue. :( I am making an appointment at the vet for her soon just in case. Are respiratory problems common in bunnies? I don't think we'll use the hair for spinning so would it be OK to shave her mats? I would imagine they hurt.

Pictures coming soon! :D

[luckies4me]

I have pictures! :D But, I need to upload them. Just a few more minutes, hehe. :p

[Logan]

Details, Cass!!! Like, what's her name??? :) I'm glad she's with you!!

Have you seen my babies??? I keep waiting on good advice and comments from you, but I don't think I've seen a single one!!!! :o

Logan

[luckies4me]

OK here are a few pictures before I clean her up. She needs a nail trim VERY bad! She is such a cutie. Right now she is snacking on some grass and celery. I tried giving her a slice of apple but she'll have nothing to do with it. I have a ton of Orchard grass, do you think that will be OK to give to her? WOW, I haven't had a bunny in so long it's like a new experience all over again.

http://img25.photobucket.com/albums/v74/luckies4me/littlebunnyfoofoo/littlebunnyfoofoo.jpg

http://img25.photobucket.com/albums/v74/luckies4me/littlebunnyfoofoo/foofoo.jpg

http://img25.photobucket.com/albums/v74/luckies4me/littlebunnyfoofoo/bunnyfoofoo.jpg

I'll take more photos later. She just got here about an hour ago so I don't want to stress her too much, but I am for sure going to clip those nails because it seems like she isn't walking as good as she would if they were clipped.

[lbaker]

Lot's and lots of bunny moms here as you know so I'm sure you will be getting PLENTY of advise. Other than the vet visit I would say the first thing would be that larger hutch. Other than that (diet, bunny do's and don'ts etc) I haven't a clue, having only been a bunny "aunt" before - never a mom :( Pix soon please.. oh my I just love bunny pictures and bun bun stories!

[luckies4me]

Originally posted by Logan
Details, Cass!!! Like, what's her name??? :) I'm glad she's with you!!

Have you seen my babies??? I keep waiting on good advice and comments from you, but I don't think I've seen a single one!!!! :o

Logan

She doesn't really have a name but I've been calling her Little Bunny Foo Foo LOL! I can't help it. She just reminds me of the song so much! :D

I saw your thread the other day and I went to write a reply and my dumb computer froze. It's been doing it a lot lately so I just give up. Plus I've been super busy lately. I went back to work and have been pretty busy with the pets and getting ready to move. Plus, the puppy comes home today as well. :D

[luckies4me]

Originally posted by lbaker
Lot's and lots of bunny moms here as you know so I'm sure you will be getting PLENTY of advise. Other than the vet visit I would say the first thing would be that larger hutch. Other than that (diet, bunny do's and don'ts etc) I haven't a clue, having only been a bunny "aunt" before - never a mom :( Pix soon please.. oh my I just love bunny pictures and bun bun stories!

Yep, she definitely needs a bigger house! Did you see the photos I posted? :)

[Rottieluver45]

Awww! how cute! I like Buny Foo-Foo:D

[Karen]

Does she have a place in the cage that doesn't have the wires exposed? If not, but in a chunk of cardboard or an old towel - the wires are hard on her poor widdle feetsies. We have maize matts we get at Pier One for Miss Hoppy's hutch, even though she's just in there for "bathroom" duty,, and otherwise hopping about the house!

Go to rabbit.org for what hay and other food is okay for her - timothy is good if she's full-grown alfalfa if she's a baby, but otherwise not. Grass hay is also okay.

[lbaker]

Didn't I read somewhere that they shouldn't have that wire on the floor of the hutch/cage? I also remember hearing about several excellent websites that have been recommended by some of our bunny moms I just can't find the bunny threads right now. Mayor Karen is a bunny mom... you can ask her if you want to I'm sure. Maybe she can teach you how to get Foo Foo to play toreador with you :D
edit
HAH! Speaking of Mayor Karen, she posted just as I was typing!!!! I KNEW she would have good advise!!

[Karen]

About the grunting noise - doesn't sound like a real grunt, but that's close enough ... is often either agression or play - Miss Hoppy does that when we play toreador!

Once you get her "cleaned up," and nails trimmed, remember that Angoras do NEED to be brushed regularly - that fine fur matts easily. But save the combings - people make yarn from it - lovely soft Angora yarn!

[luckies4me]

Originally posted by Karen
Does she have a place in the cage that doesn't have the wires exposed? If not, but in a chunk of cardboard or an old towel - the wires are hard on her poor widdle feetsies. We have maize matts we get at Pier One for Miss Hoppy's hutch, even though she's just in there for "bathroom" duty,, and otherwise hopping about the house!

Go to rabbit.org for what hay and other food is okay for her - timothy is good if she's full-grown alfalfa if she's a baby, but otherwise not. Grass hay is also okay.

Already know about the alfalfa crisis and I have already put in something for her footsies. :) I actually just tore apart one of Dylan's cardboard diaper boxes to use and also put in a litter pan and a blankie. I never housed my rabbits on wire, ever and I don't plan on subjecting this cutie to it either. Hopefully she won't be in there long. I really cannot believe she was in that cage, it's so tiny. :( I haven't had a bun in about four years so I need to do some research again, but I thankfully remember the basics. :)

Do you have a picture of those mats?

[luckies4me]

Originally posted by Karen
About the grunting noise - doesn't sound like a real grunt, but that's close enough ... is often either agression or play - Miss Hoppy does that when we play toreador!

Once you get her "cleaned up," and nails trimmed, remember that Angoras do NEED to be brushed regularly - that fine fur matts easily. But save the combings - people make yarn from it - lovely soft Angora yarn!

Yep, know about the brushing. I used to have a fuzzy lop a long time ago and they are about the same maintenance wise.

The grunting thing isn't really grunting, it really goes sound like a respiratory issue, kinda like she's going to sneeze, like there is fluid in her nose or something. :(

[Karen]

The closest sound I have heard that is like the noise Miss Hoppy makes when mad or playing is the sound of a tissue being taken quickly out of a kleenex box - the pop-up kind. If it sounds like that, and her nose is clean, no worries!

[cali]

The grunting thing isn't really grunting, it really goes sound like a respiratory issue, kinda like she's going to sneeze, like there is fluid in her nose or something

I dont know if rabbits can get this, but it sounds like reverse sneezing, blair has this, it sounds as if something is blocking the airways, and can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minuts, but it is completly harmless.

[tikeyas_mom]

aww she reminds me of my rainbow bridge rabbit Angel... RIP Angel.

[luckies4me]

Hrmm, she's thumped at me about ten times so far so I think she is upset. She doesn't like me LOL! Hopefully her mom will come pick her up soon. I have to make sure and clean her up before she does though.

[Kfamr]

She's so sweet!! We need new picture of her all prettied up. :D

[NoahsMommy]

Rabbits are NOT supposed to eat celery because of the stringy fibers. They can get stuck in their intestines and they can die. :eek: Be careful with that.

She really is a cutie. :) Hopefully she'll feel better soon, socially.

[Corinna]

Angoras can get hair balls but unlike cats can not cough them up . so they need a strong digestive power that comes from dried pinapple and papaya about 1/2 of a piece a day.
Once you start brushing you may stimulate the shedding (harvesting ) of the wonderful coat. this is nornmal save it to be spun ( I will gladly do for you) Since they have heavy coat growth they need a little higher protein diet. When I had 25 I found that purina had a great pelleted food that was perfect (I can't remember the name ) sure do miss them but not the work invoved.
The stomping is her just trying to establish the fact she isn't sure of the move, she'll get over it. They can be demanding little buggers at times. My Wee ONe 14years old is a very demanding guy. But at 14 I guess I can understand .
Would love to see after grooming pics.

[Aspen and Misty]

Acctually Corrina, that method has been disporven and most vets will use medicine such as Reglan that moves the hair ball through the Digestive system. Also, I'm not sure about dried up pineapple, but pineapple is high in suger and shoul not be given to bunny alot.

The best prevention is HAY, unlimited amounts of it!!! Timothy hay for adult bunnies and Alpha for bunnies under One.

Congrats Luckies! Bunnies are the best!

Ash

[kimlovescats]

Congrats on your beautiful new bunny foo foo!!! :D

[luckies4me]

Hey everyone. I've been really busy, obviously with a new pup, bun and son to take care of, AND a new job so I will have to update more later on. I took her out yesterday and cut a ton of mats off of her and brushed her really well. I didn't want to stress her too much so I will start again today or tomorrow as time permits. I did do a good brushing on her though, and once the mats are out I plan on bathing her with my bunny shampoo as she is pretty dirty. The cage was NASTY, with tons of urine on the bottom and even bug thingies on it. Pretty grose. I couldn't believe she had so many mats.

I have bunny furball stuff here I am using which works fine. I don't plan on saving any of her hair until she is done with her grooming and has been bathed. I have TONS of friends who are spinners, and I plan on working on my first drop spindle now that I have her. :) I didn't plan on using her fur when she first came here, but I've since though about it and decided to give it a try. I can spin already, just haven't done it in some time and also have to find where my drop spindles are too.

I did not know about celery NoahsMommy, thanks for the tip! She had it in there when she came here so I assumed it was safe. She already has tons of hay, so no worries there. ;) Thanks for all the tips everyone and I will update more later on when I get home.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

As Corinna mentioned hair balls are a concern. You said you have a hair ball remedy for rabbits, what is it? I use papaya tablets (oxbowhay.com/showProduct.sp?PRODUCT_NO=52&cat=44) by Oxbow.
I am also very pleased with their feed (http://oxbowhay.com/showProduct.sp?PRODUCT_NO=44&cat=46) and hay. It's great quality and always fresh.

Good luck with the bunny!!

[Corinna]

I never had a problem with hairballs and all my does were 6-7 years old when most died. But I was raising for wool not pets or bunnies so maybe that is the difference. What journal is that in as I am a vet tec.