Hevvur Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 Hi everyone, I'm new here! I'll introduce my bunnies first, and then ask the questions! I have 3 rabbits - Eevee a French Lop Leon - who I think is in English Mystique - a black Rex We had Smudge, a lop, who we unfortunately lost on Monday. r.i.p Ok, to start with, my French Lop Eevee, she is approx 1 1/2 - 2 years old. I've had her a few months (They are all 'rescue' bunnies). Recently, her vulva(?) area has started to smell AWFUL, and there was dark crust in the folds. I wipes it away gently (much to her disgust). Do I need to start cleaning her 'down there' more often, or could it be something more sinister? Also, Eevee sits very close to the ground, and her hock area looks a bit dry/sore (when she lets me look, she can be a madam at times). Is there anything I can do to help, so it doesn't become sore? Next up - Leon. No idea how old he is...his previous owners said 3 months, but I think a little older - perhaps 6 months to a year. How can we toilet train him?! Smudge needed no prompting, she did it in one corner, so we got her a litter tray. Eevee slowly started to do it in 1 corner, so she has a litter tray. Leon loved to do it in his 'bed' and living area, but hardly ever in his run! I put Smudges litter tray in with him tonight, but he doesn't seem bothered! Any general tips now it's getting colder at night? We've put tonnes of extra hay in, and we cover the hutch/runs with tarpaulin at night. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 You should take Evie to the vet. Any discharge or bleeding from the genitals needs professional attention. The fact that is smelling could indicate that there is an infection. Keep bathing the area gently and dry well until you can get an appointment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hevvur Posted October 24, 2007 Author Share Posted October 24, 2007 Thankyou for the swift reply. All Buns are off to the vets on Monday (I have the morning off work) for a check-up, so I will point it out then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 Let us know how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I can onluy back up what Egluntine said. Boy bunnies are (like boy humans ) notoriously difficult to toilet train. Put some of his soiled litter in the tray and site it away from his food if possible. If you catch him looking like he's going to 'go' then pop him in the tray - he should get the idea fairly quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hevvur Posted October 25, 2007 Author Share Posted October 25, 2007 Thanks Claret. He decided to throw his litter tray to the other side of the run today Vets appointment is booked for 9:30am on Monday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Has he been neutered? That could be your problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hevvur Posted October 25, 2007 Author Share Posted October 25, 2007 No, he hasn't. I only rescued him about 2 months ago. His previous owners said he was 3 months old - although I think he's older. He was bought for a 2 year old, who wouldn't clean his hutch out Are they a lot calmer when they have been neutered? I don't know much about rabbits and neutering - I've only had dogs before, and it's never calmed any of them down! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfrock Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 My three have all been neutered. The two girls are ever so 'neat' when they go Smudge on the other hand is using 5 foot long stretch of his run! They all throw their litter trays around, so I have given up with them. When Bibble didn't have permanent access to her run I put a large heavy duty seed tray in the bedroom area of her cage (her chosen toilet spot ) which she used - although the minute you took it out to clean it was a race to see if she could wee on the empty spot or I could get the fresh tray in first (she normally won!) . When I first got Smudge and Ember (who are now bonded - Bibs simply doesn't want to know) they were indoors for 6 weeks in separate cages while they were neutered and jabbed and they were both very well behaved, using the seed trays like little angels. I know have a pile of disused seed trays and variety of (expensive) litter trays in a pile in the garden PS hope things go well at the vets - mine are all rescue buns too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 He shoudl calm down quite a bit - if he's a youngster (which sounds likely) then he's hitting puberty, when all things to do with behaviour go out of the window. He will calm down after he's been done and should be easier to litter train. It's best to get them done, otherwise, they can get stroppy, frustrated and spray/bonk everything in sight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy-Mama Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 Have you tried a corner litter tray that clips to the hutch then they can't throw it about? That's what I've got for benji in his eglu run and he uses it fine, though it sounds like i've been lucky there from reading the other posts. I put some of his poo pellets in the tray and he just started using it. He did have a little tug at it when i first put it in but gave up fairly quickly. The only problem i have is that his litter tray came with a detachable roof but if it's on he won't use it, I'm going to try again when the weather gets worse though. Can't advise on neutering as I haven't had any of mine done and probably won't get benji done either unless he develops any behavioural problems but so far so good. Congratulations on your new rescue bunnies though and good luck with the litter training. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hevvur Posted October 26, 2007 Author Share Posted October 26, 2007 It is a corner tray, and he decided to chew the clip! Typical! Eevee poo'd and wee'd on my sofa tonight, so the vax is out tomorrow morning! Got a couple of great pics of Eevee and my dog on the sofa (When hubby can find the wire for his camera, I will upload them!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hevvur Posted October 26, 2007 Author Share Posted October 26, 2007 Managed to upload the pics! Eevee and Teagan: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy-Mama Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 Great Pic's and what a friendly dog you must have Has the litter training improved? My biggest problem with Benji at the moment is he doesn't want to be picked up, not sure what I'm doing wrong... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 Is he neutered jenjen? That makes them far more manageable. (shame you can't do the same for male humans!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hevvur Posted November 20, 2007 Author Share Posted November 20, 2007 Litter training with Eevee is getting better, she's now doing all hwe wee's, and some poo's in a tray. Mystique won't use a tray, but she uses the same corner of the run. Leon of course is still using his bed lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 I love the photos Your dog and bunny look so relaxed together. My dog sleeps on her back like that too!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 What did the vet say about Eevee's little problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hevvur Posted November 21, 2007 Author Share Posted November 21, 2007 Sorry, totally forgot to reply about that! She said it was a tiny bit of vaginitis, and just to keep it clean, and it should be fine My dog gets all excited when I fetch the bunnies in for cuddles, trying to sniff them, but then she gets bored and goes to sleep lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 Am glad it was nothing sinister. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
