Rescuing Rabbits from Hoarders

Firstly, despite our best efforts, up to now we've only had the chance to save 4 rabbits from a horrendous case of neglect. We do hope we can save more rabbits from the hoarder in the future should they allow us, but we have limited funds and facilities. Sadly, this is the bleak reality of rescuing animals.

Despite sadly leaving so many rabbits behind, we did manage to give 4 rabbits an amazing opportunity!

Without further ado, meet Morrison, Malcolm, Bertha, and Bridget!

All of the rabbits lived in entirely unsuitable accomodation with no companionship and were riddled with health issues.

No rabbit had enough hay or space and was fed on Guinea Pig food. Approximately 30 rabbits were living in these conditions.

Malcolm:

Malcolm was the most straight forward to rehabilitate. He was an outgoing rabbit with bundles of character. All he needed was companionship and a forever home! To achieve that, he needed to be castrated and vaccinated first.

Malcolm was successfully castrated and other than a few days of an additional syringe fed soft-food recovery diet, he handled the entire procedure brilliantly.

At his second post-op check, Malcolm received his first vaccination against VHD1 and Myxomatosis.

By this time, Malcolm was reserved. He was booked in to meet the ever-so-beautiful Scrumples. Scrumps would be staying with us so we could bond them.

Before we agreed to have Scrumps, we needed to make sure that Malcolm was vaccinated against VHD2.

Scrumps' family had come to visit Malcolm and we performed a home-check of Malcolm's potential home - it was beyond perfect.

Scrumples and Malcolm fell in love! Malcolm was then adopted and continues to live his best life in a home exceeding RWAF standards.

Bertha:

Bertha wasn't looking her best upon arrival, she had incredibly matted fur full of faeces and urine.

We managed to cut the vast majority of faeces and urine out of her fur on the night she arrived (she was very patient). Urine scalds were treated with topical Silver Sulfadiazine. Similarly to Malcolm, Bertha needed companionship, spaying, and vaccinations.

Unfortunately, this wasn't as straight forward as initially thought. Bertha had a lower urinary tract infection which required treatment with antibiotics for several weeks before any surgery or vaccinations were advised. She also had diarrhoea which was helped with Panacur and Fibreplex.

Unfortunately, Bertha then required dental work due to spurs on some lower-mandible molars. We're unable to comment on if it were her illness that caused the spurs or previous poor husbandry.

Bertha's dental went smoothly, she required a recovery diet syringe-fed for 48hrs until she was eating well independently.

Finally, after her recovery and finishing all medication, Bertha was booked in to be spayed.

Bertha handled her spay well, but it did trigger a secondary UTI (suggesting she is more predisposed to UTIs). We added antibiotics in with her post-operative medication.

Bertha received her first vaccination against myxomatosis and VHD1 once she had finished her course of antibiotics. Unfortunately, she has been unable to have her second vaccine at present due to current restrictions because of coronavirus.

Nonetheless, she still has a forever home lined up with a new husbun!

Morrison:

Morrison arrived not eating and was losing weight rapidly. He also had very overgrown nails that were clipped upon arrival.

Morrison was booked in for an oral exam which revealed considerable buccal molar spurring. He was booked in for some dental work.

The change in Morrison was pretty instant and he quickly started eating a perfect rabbit diet. 2 weeks after his dental, Morrison was castrated. 

Morrison rocking the shaved look from catheterisation of his marginal ear vein.

Whilst Morrison was under anaesthesia, the vet re-examined his mouth. There was uneven wearing, but not significant enough to warrant another dental. Instead, we were going to monitor him for a further 4 weeks.

At his second post-op check, Morrison received his VHD1 and Myxomatosis vaccine.

Morrison hasn't required further dental work and continues to eat well. We believe he will be more susceptible to dental issues and diseases further down the line, but for now, we believe Morrison would be able to find a forever home with the right owner.

Morrison will be available once he has received his 2nd vaccination after the coronavirus restrictions are reversed. He is an extremely friendly and laid back rabbit looking for his forever home with a neutered and vaccinated female rabbit.

Bridget:

Bridget was so terrified upon arrival that all she would do is stomp and look terrified.

She also had some of the worst diarrhoea we've ever encountered. It took two goes of Panacur and Fibreplex, and a course of antibiotics (and lots of bleach, mopping, and kitchen roll) to finally get it under control.
Once Bridget was healthy, we were able to get her booked in for a spay.

Bridget's spay went well and she handled her recovery like nothing ever happened. Once she recovered, she was booked in for her vaccination against VHD1 and Myxomatosis.

Bridget will have her 2nd vaccine against VHD2 once the coronavirus restrictions are reversed. 

She's grown a lot in confidence; she will come racing to greet us and (partly for her breakfast), but she still isn't a fan of being petted. We hope she will find a forever home with a husbun with a patient owner who will give Bridget's personality the chance to flourish. We're sure she will become a loving rabbit with time.