TH E B U N OL OGIST

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May 2012

Rabbit Hoarder caught

16 March 2012 - http://www.wavy.com
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - A Virginia Beach woman faces charges for hoarding nearly 100 rabbits in her home.

Medical news: vaccine therapy for myxo & RHD

Reported by: Zenopa.com "MSD Animal Health has published positive clinical data for a new vaccine therapy for myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease (calici). The subcutaneously-administered Nobivac Myxo-RHD was shown to provide high-quality protection against both of these two viral diseases, with vaccinated rabbits remaining healthy and suffering no adverse effects. Researchers trialled the drug at MSD Animal Health's Milton Keynes research centre, with an editorial published in the peer-reviewed journal Veterinary Record suggesting that the product represents a major step forward in rabbit healthcare." We desperately hope that Australia will allow a vaccine for myxo (and preferably this joint vaccine) to be available for our pet bunnies in the near future (Karen, BOING)

Tegwen M. Davis, 60, is facing three counts of animal cruelty and two counts of improper disposal of a deceased animal. Crews rescued 74 rabbits from the home Thursday. Workers told WAVY.com they found two dead, decomposed rabbits lying on a bed. Workers added they could only open the door a few inches because of the amount of debris on the floor. "You see the fecal material and the trash, and it's very easy to see so many rabbits piled up into one area because you see so many faces and eyes looking back at you," said Wayne Gilbert, a spokesman for Virginia Beach Animal Control. When animal control returned Friday afternoon, they found two unidentifiable animal carcasses, three more dead rabbits and 12 rabbits that were still alive. The seized rabbits were taken to the Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center where they will be examined by the city veterinarian. The shelter reports two rabbits had to be euthanized because of their medical condition. Almost all of the seized rabbits will be available for adoption after they are medically-cleared by the shelter.

Disposable Bunnies

These three sweet young rabbits were abandoned in front of a US SPCA one day after Easter. No one even bothered to knock on the door. They abandoned them in a styrofoam cooler with no lid. The bunnies who have been named Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, are booked in to be desexed and will recover in foster homes until ready for adoption.

Lucky bunnies
25 March 2012 http://bangordailynews.com/2012/03/25/news/midmaine/vassalboro-couple-provide-home-for-former-lab-rabbits-thatfaced-euthanization/

But while Myers has rescued 1,500 to 1,800 rabbits over the past decade, health problems forced her to cut back. A few years ago, the Sherwoods offered to take some of her brood. The couple built their own rabbitat beside their house, fencing in a plot of land and filling it with bunny-sized buildings and leantos. The area is divided into sections with fencing to separate argumentative bunnies, a roof to keep out predators and an outside area for rabbits that like to lie in the sun or nibble on twigs. Above one door the Sherwoods have hung the sign, Beware of attack rabbit, ironic since none of their bunnies do anything more aggressive than nudge for treats. Over the past few years, the Sherwoods have taken more of Myers rabbits. Most of their 51 were hers at one time, and she pays for their care and medical needs. But many were rescued by the couple, adopted from a local animal shelter where they would have been euthanized, or taken in when a former owner could no longer care for them. Although Myers sometimes finds homes for her rabbits, the Sherwoods have never allowed a bunny adoption. Sherwood considers theirs a home of last resort, and he expects all the rabbits will stay there throughout their lives.

VASSALBORO, Maine Bertha and her companions were once lab rabbits, subjected to eye drops that made them scream. Phoenix was stuffed into a plastic bag and thrown out on the side of the road. He was found with a broken leg. Pretty Girl and her mate were left on someones front lawn. Her mate was hit and killed by a car before they could be rescued. But at David and Cheryl Sherwoods Vassalboro home, Bertha, Phoenix, Pretty Girl and 48 other rescued rabbits sprint across the fenced-in yard, nibble on pine boughs or lounge, fat and happy, in the shade. Were their last stop usually, David Sherwood said, tossing cracker treats to Bertha and a couple of other big, white former lab rabbits. We try to give them the best we can until bunny heaven. For the past several years, Sherwood and his wife have been bunny devotees. It started with an abandoned baby rabbit they found at an apartment complex they were overseeing. They named him Bunny. Sherwood called him Boo. He was in the house, Sherwood said. He used to watch TV with us at night and jump up on the couch. And hed eat oyster crackers. Thats what he liked. After Bunny died, they got another rabbit. Then another one as a companion for him. Next thing we know, we met Quan, he said. The owner of the nonprofit Rabbitats for Humanity in Walpole, Maine, Quan Myers has been rescuing rabbits for 10 years. She talked the couple through some behavioral issues they were having with one of their rabbits. They were moved by her passion for the animals and by her rabbitat, a sprawling outdoor space with places for the rabbits to run, hide, eat, sleep and play. Thousands and thousands of rabbits are being euthanized all over the United States because theres not enough room in the shelters themselves. Theyre already inundated with cats and dogs, Myers said. People dont know how to take care of rabbits in most shelters, and they put them in a little guinea pig cage and then people come in to try to adopt them and they bite because theyre territorial. This is my space, its only 2 feet wide. You cant put your hand in here.

Once theyre here, theyre just pets, he said. Its a lot of work and expense. The rabbits go through 100 pounds of pellets a week, plus pounds more of apples, carrots and other treats. The rabbitat must be cleaned regularly and the rabbits must be checked throughout the day to ensure no one is sick or hurt. But Sherwood loves watching them. Especially when you make a new area. Theyre out there binkying and jumping around and playing, he said, referring to the happy dancing-jump that rabbit lovers call a binky. He glanced down at one of the former lab bunnies who ate his cracker too fast. Or when they get the hiccups. Nearly all of the rabbits have settled into bonded pairs or small groups. Although most live outside in the rabbitat, six of the rabbits live in the house. The couple has rabbit-proofed the home, but theyve still lost a few lamps to curious wire-chewers and their baseboards have been nibbled. Theyve got beauty marks, thats what I call them, Sherwood said. At 51 animals (plus a once-stray indoor cat that likes to munch on the bunnies food), the couple consider their rabbit rescue full. They arent accepting new rabbits. But Sherwood has advice to help ensure more rabbits dont need to be rescued: Dont get bunnies for Easter. Dont get them as pets for children or as a gift for someone else. Keep in mind that rabbits are curious, mischievous and take a lot of work to care for. Get them spayed or neutered. Sherwood said he never thought hed be a bunny guy, but apparently he is. I just like rabbits, he said.

***As much as I admire what this couple are doing for these bunnies, crackers, apples, carrots and pellets are not a staple diet of a rabbit. Remember that hay is the most important part of a rabbits diet. Human food and lots of sweet fruit & carrot is not for rabbits!! (Karen, BOING)

Life at the Do Hop Inn

By Karen (www.boingonline.com)

So, Tinkerbelle was relocated to live next to Isabelle. I thought she may like a neighbour. All seemed okay for a few days until I found Tinkerbelle one evening all wobbly and her head was slightly tilted. So I relocated her to our bedroom to a soft enclosure all to herself. I didnt know if her symptoms were stress related from all the bunny encounters but surprisingly she bounced back happily the next morning with no ill effects. She visited the Melbourne Rabbit Clinic and was given some medication just in case she was suffering from a minor case of E.Cuniculi and a blood test.

Princess
This month we had a sick Princess. She ate her dinner one night but by 10.30pm she wasnt feeling so well. This meant two hourly Critical Care syringe feeding throughout the night. Fortunately by 6am the next morning she was eating by herself and pooing again.

Princess (left) snuggles with her best friend Pumpkin I have to say that Oxbow Critical Care is such a lifesaver for bunnies! If you dont have any in your freezer, get some! You never know when youll need it. Princesss tummy was luckily not a blockage of any kind as syringe feeding a bunny with a blockage is not advised as this will cause further damage and pain to the bun. If you ever feel any unusual lumps or bumps in your bunnys tummy, please take them to the nearest bunny friendly vet for appropriate care. In Princesss case, her gut stasis was secondary to the pain she suffers from her eye issues. We had run out of her anti inflammatory eye drops. She had seemed fine as she was only on them for one month for a trial. However, once we ran out of the drops, the pain returned. Shes now permanently on her eye drops again and shes a much happier bunny. Tinkerbelle enjoys playing on the bed Her blood test showed high levels of calcium (which was weird) but otherwise, she was okay. Shes now finished her medication and is now enjoying living in the bedroom and spending her evenings snoozing on the bed watching tv. Maybe it was all a way to make us take notice of her & spend more time with her??

Ruby
When Ruby, Lucky & Hugo visited the Melbourne Rabbit Clinic recently for their yearly calici vaccinations, we discussed Rubys rather bulgy eyes. Ruby (in front) with her mum Lucky (left) & brother Hugo (behind) Bulgy eyes in a rabbit can indicate a heart condition or other illnesses. A chest xray and a full blood test were undertaken to see if there was anything wrong with her. The xray was all clear and her heart was fine. The blood test was good except she also showed high levels of calcium (this is puzzling as we dont give our bunnies any high calcium vegies and the pellets we give are Oxbow and only given as a treat).

Tinkerbelle
Tinkerbelle has always been a quiet and lonely bunny so I thought a change might be good for her. I attempted to introduce Tinkerbelle to our family group of Lucky, Hugo & Ruby (who surprisingly look just like Tinkerbelle). I figured that they all looked similar maybe they wouldnt know the difference??!! Ruby, Hugo & Lucky were all relocated to a neutral zone and Tinkerbelle was introduced to them. The family group were fine. They ignored her and just wandered around checking everything out. Tinkerbelle was the opposite. She was aggressive and defensive and tried to attack Ruby & Lucky. The plan didnt work! Oh well it was an experiment after all!

Adopt me!!
Can anyone help with a new home or a foster home for either of these girls (not bonded or desexed)??

Peta & Leroy Location: Melbourne

These two gorgeous indoor bunnies are desexed and currently looking for a new home (only because of moving house and there is a resident fox terrier that is a danger to the bunnies). Leroy is placid, sweet and can be very entertaining. Peta oozes personality. She's affectionate (although doesn't like being handled) and loyal and has no issue speaking her mind!
If you could offer Peta & Leroy a new loving indoor home, please contact Emma at emmalouisesaunders@gmail.com

Location: Brunswick East Contact person: Sarah

Email from Sarah: I have been caring for them for the past week (a friend is a vet) and would love to find great new homes for them. The black one was found wandering the streets of Yarraville, she is not microchipped and we have not been able to locate her owners. The white/black one was found in Dandenong, no microchip, same story. I have been searching Gumtree etc to try to locate their owners but without success. The white/black one is very friendly & sociable. Her favourite trick is to tip over her food bowl & throw it down the ramp in her 2 storey cage! She is a tidy bun who uses her litter (hay) tray & keeps her cage nice and clean! The black bun, you cannot see this in the photo, but she has one ear up & one ear down. She too is a beautiful girl who has been using her litter (hay) tray for all of her wees. She just needs a little bit more practice with everything else (but I'm sure she will get there!). She is a bit more timid but has been getting more and more confident each day. She is not a fan of being picked up, but happy to let you pat her on her terms. She loves ripping up newspaper! I am not sure of the breeds of either of these rabbits, or the ages. But they have both been checked over by a vet & appear to be healthy.They are currently living separately but I would be happy to rehome them together if needed. I can be contacted on: 0425830707 or email (preferred) sarahandandrewshaw@yahoo.com.au. I am located in Brunswick East. They are available now

Nibbles

After many months trying to find a new home for Nibbles, we are very pleased to report that Nibbles remained with her family. She now has a new boyfriend that was adopted from the Australian Animal Protection Society and both buns are very happy!! The family were only trying to find Nibbles a new home when her partner passed away and they didnt want her being on her own They also didnt think they could cope finding her a new friend but we are pleased to say everyone is very happy now. If you are ever looking for a friend for your bunny, the Australian Animal Protection Society provide a bunny dating service to find the perfect bunny friend.

www.aaps.org.au