Ask Mrs. Bun

ASK MRS. BUN ... about health and illness

Column from Volume 7, Number 1:

I'm shedding my coat right now in preparation for the cooler season, but it seems like I just finished growing my last coat. How often do rabbits shed, and does it have anything to do with the weather?

Rabbits shed once every three months, regardless of the weather. While it seems like it should be weather related (I look like I need an emergency haircut right now), it's not. Some sheds are very light, and some are, well, the drop-your-whole-coat kind.

Some suggestions for your humans to assist you in this process:

• comb you at least every week
• comb you every day if you are shedding very heavily
• during shedding time, give you an inch of Laxatone or other cat laxative twice a week
• if you stop eating during a shed, call your friendly vet for immediate assistance

Remember that unlike cats, rabbits cannot throw up hairballs, so the extra fur has to pass through. If the hair gets stuck, the stomach could rupture if immediate medical care is not provided.

So let your human comb you regularly, and cultivate the taste of Laxatone (I prefer Petromalt myself!).

I live outside, and my ears itch like crazy! It's driving me insane! What is the problem, and how can I stop it?

Sounds like you have ear mites, friend. These are nasty little critters; once they get entrenched they can spread over your body and give you lovely infections.

Fortunately, there is a simple cure for ear mites. Find a good bunny veterinarian and ask about getting a shot of ivermectin. This drug can kill mites in a couple of days, and you will want a followup shot in two weeks to keep them dead. Don't let the vet clean out your ears. Once the drug kicks in, the brown crud in them will start falling out on its own.

And if you don't have ear mites but instead have fur mites, ivermectin will kill those too.

Yesterday, a bunny friend got into some places he shouldn't have been, and when he came back, he was cowering and shaking and had some fur burnt around his mouth. I want to make him better but I don't know what to do. Any ideas?

Would a bunny be a bunny if he didn't get into places he shouldn't be? Sounds like he was chewing on something that his human should have covered up, though. Any televisions or computers suddenly quite working? Any cursing from the human?

Your friend likely munched on an electrical cord. As you figured out, he isn't feeling too good about the whole experience. All you can really offer him is snuggling, and grooming, and advice not to munch on any round black things ever again.

Your human should take your zapped friend to the vet to check him over for burns that may need treatment. He may need help grooming himself for a while, and your slave--I mean, caretaker, may even have to help him eat if his mouth is sore.,/p>

If you can attract the attention of your human to cords that are not covered, you will spare all rabbits in the house more sore mouths, burnt fur, or even a sudden end to their curiosity.

Column from Volume 5, Number 3:

In the evening and at night, I stay in the house with my humans. But during the day, while they're at work, they keep me out on our screened-in porch. Normally, this is great, since I get to run around, I can chew on things without getting in trouble, and I can choose my place to snooze. But right now, the heat is terrible! I'm roasting in this fur coat. It doesn't help that I'm a lop, so it's harder for me to get rid of excess heat through my ears than for upright-eared rabbits.

It's the only time I actually envy you up-ears! Got any suggestions for making my summer cooler?

I'll overlook your snide comment about those of use with straight ears that reach gracefully for the sky. I'm sure you must be irritable from the heat. What can your humans do about this? One option would be to keep you inside with the air conditioning. If you're a bit too mischievous for them to trust you running free all day, everyone could just bite the bullet and keep you in your cage. Or maybe a bathroom or laundry room whose baseboards they aren't too attached to. Or a "playpen" affair set up, say, in the kitchen where you can have more room than in a cage but can't get to people things to play with.

If none of these options will fly with your caretakers and you must stay on the porch (or garage, or outdoor hutch, or whatever), there are still some measures that can increase your comfort. Your area should be well-shaded from the sun, of course. The less sun, the better. You should have something cool to lie on. I personally love a marble floor, but a flat stone, a big box of moist earth, or a big ceramic baking pan (don't even think about joking about this, humans) can be nearly as refreshing. The wire floor of an open cage is pretty good, too, because it allows air to circulate underneath you. Access to a breeze is nice, even if they have to rig a fan to do it and keep the cord out of your way.

Plenty of cool, fresh water is a must. A lovely additional treat that will last several hours is an ice bottle. Your people can take a plastic soda bottle, milk jug, or other fairly large container, fill it with water, and let it freeze solid. They should put this out where you can lie next to it and lick it if you want. A good idea is to put it in a pan or on a towel to soak up the condensation that will form on the outside. Having two or more of these to rotate in and out of the freezer will ensure that you'll always have an Ice Buddy to snuggle with. It's a great comfort during the Dog Days of Summer, or indeed the Days of Summer of any species.

One of my rabbits, Floppy, has been sneezing more and more over the past couple of months. It has slowly gotten worse, and it has lasted so long now that I took him to the vet yesterday. Other than the sneezing, he seems fine. The vet took one look at the dried mucus on the inside of his forelegs, and listened to him sneeze a couple of times, and said that he has something called pasture-ella (not sure how to spell it). She said that this is an extremely common problem in rabbits, and it's also called snuffles. I'm still kind of reeling, because the vet said that it's not curable and could progress to other problems with horrible-sounding names, like "wryneck" and "sore hocks." She sounded very grave and actually told me I needed to think about having Floppy euthanized, especially since he could give the illness to his buddy, Fluffy. I feel awful about this. I thought Floppy was pretty happy, but is he really suffering? Should I separate him and Fluffy? Is my bunny going to DIE? Help, Mrs. Bun!

Take a deep breath. Exhale. Relax. It's not as bad as you think. It is highly unlikely your rabbit companion is going to die soon. Unless it's from embarrassment at having been saddled with such a dorky name. Honestly, Floppy and Fluffy?! You humans are always bragging about how smart you are, and you can't come up with anything more original than that? Do you realize that all the rabbits who read this column are going to laugh at your pets? And that hurts a rabbit's feelings. Take it from someone named "Mrs. Bun," for pity's sake.

Anyhow, back to the matter at hand. Number one, your vet either needs some education, or you need to find a new one who is more up to date on rabbit health. Yes, a Pasteurella multocida infection is difficult to eradicate, but not impossible, especially with someone such as--sigh--Floppy, whose symptoms arose recently. Yes, "snuffles" can manifest itself as wryneck (also known as head tilt) or painful sores on the feet. Yes, Fluffy could come down with it as well--but she might not. It's unclear exactly how the disease is transmitted. In any case, a pasteurella diagnosis is no death sentence.

Also, your rabbit might not even have pasteurella! Recent studies have shown that the Pasteurella multocida infection in rabbits is far less common than has been assumed. There are many other bacteria that may be responsible for your rabbit's sneezing. He could have a viral infection. Or, he could just have an allergy. You need to find a vet who will take a sample from Floppy's nose and have it cultured by a lab to see what infection, if any, is present. The test will also determine what drugs the infection is sensitive or resistant to.

you see, this matter is much more complicated--and much less deadly--than you have been told. My advice would be to call the HRRN phone line and leave your question in the Health voice mailbox. A volunteer will call you back and discuss your situation to give you some moral support.

Good luck to all of you! And to Floppy, gesundheit!

Column from Volume 5, Number 2:

I was petting my rabbit yesterday when I happened to look into one of her ears. Ugly scab-like things were stuck way down in there! Is this a sign of disease? I began thinking about her behavior, and she does seem to shake her head a lot and be a little touchy about her ears. What. s wrong? Is it treatable? Help!

I'm no veterinarian, but your description sure reminds me of the last time I had ear mites. Nasty critters. They make the inside of rabbits' ears sore and produce crusty material. Very uncomfortable, I assure you. The crusts can literally start spilling out of your ears if the infestation goes unchecked. The mites can even spread outside the ear, making you lose fur and form sores on your neck.

Definitely give your vet a call. Tell him or her the symptoms and your suspicions. I suggest you ask about the possibility of using a medicine with the generic name ivermectin. Not all vets know about it as an injectable treatment for ear mites. I got two little shots of it, the first to kill the mites, the second two weeks later to kill any mites that were in egg stage at the time of the first shot. I was all cleared up within the month. There are topical treatments available as well.

If you're not sure what vet to use, call the Network people and request one of their veterinarian lists. It includes vets who have reported via survey that they see quite a few rabbits in their practice and are familiar with our special needs.

Good luck, and tell your rabbit friend to keep a stiff upper ear!

I'm a minilop with a good home with a nice caretaker. We get along great, except for one thing - he's always sneaking up on me! I'll be snoozing in my litterbox, and suddenly he's there, opening the cage. I'll be hopping along in the living room, and he emerges from behind a door right in front of me. Scares the daylights out of me! I should explain, I'm a little different from your average rabbit. Above average in most respects, as minilops usually are. However, the difference I mean is that I've known for a long time that other rabbits do something with their ears that I can't. I've been told it's one reason they move their ears around so much. They call it "hearing," though I don't really understand what they mean by that. I wish I did, because other rabbits, and even people, seem to be able to detect things before they can see or feel them! I have to see a thing or feel vibrations before I know what's going on. When I get startled, I react defensively--and I believe the best defense is a good offense. My caretaker gets angry with me when I strike at him and act fierce. He'll put me back in my cage if it happens when I'm out. I'm worried that eventually he'll decide he doesn't like me and give me away. The whole thing is making me a little paranoid, frankly. Sometimes I jump at nothing because I'm so stressed out. It doesn't help that my cage is situated so I can't see out into the room; I can't see anything until it's right near me. I'm hoping my caretaker will read this and realize my behavior is nothing personal, just my reaction to being startled so often. Can you help me make him understand, Mrs. Bun?

You're not alone. It's not uncommon for rabbits to be congenitally deaf. The trait seems to affect mostly lops. I certainly hope your caretaker is reading this, because by realizing your impairment and making a few accommodations, you can both cut down on the stress in your lives and make your relationship a lot more fun.

How can a human tell that a rabbit companion can't hear? It takes observation of how the rabbit reacts (or doesn't react) to sounds. It's easier if you have the chance to observe hearing rabbits to have something to compare with. I know rabbits who lived for years with people who never realized they couldn't hear. It just never occurred to them, and they attributed behavior quirks common to deaf rabbits to lack of intelligence, or meanness, or natural timidity.

A crude test is to make a loud, sharp sound at which any animal would react by pricking up its ears or turning its head. You have to do this so the rabbit doesn't see you making it and can't see any other beings who might react. Having a telephone ring nearby or getting someone to whistle loudly from the next room are ideas. If the rabbit continues to groom or snooze or whatever without making any sign he heard, he's likely to be at least partially deaf.

Your caretaker can help you mellow out by making sure you have a good view from your cage and nothing can sneak up behind you--a corner can be good. If he approaches you in your cage when you're asleep or comes into a room you. re playing in, he can send vibrations to alert you gently of his presence by stomping on the floor. He can be extra careful to protect you around other beings who don't understand your problem, especially animals and small children.

He should be slower and more deliberate in his motions around you to acknowledge the natural wariness you've cultivated over the years. He can be more understanding if you act a bit neurotic sometimes.

And he can pet you lots and lots. Petting is not just pleasant or a stress reliever. Because you cannot hear kind words and a familiar voice, the physical contact helps make up for that lost dimension in your relationship.

I have a recommendation for you, too: giving "bunny kisses" to the hand that pets you will make him want to pet you even more!

Column from Volume 3, Number 4:

I'm the proud caretaker of a house rabbit. She's wonderful, but I can't get her to stop chewing electrical cords. I've hidden all the cords I can behind and under furniture, but there are still a few she can get to, and does.

I've tried smearing hot pepper sauce on them - she seemed to think it gave them a nice flavor. I've sprayed Bitter Apple concentrate on them, which deters her for about two hours max. Every time I catch her nibbling, I tell her "No!" and back she goes into her cage for 10 minutes. But she's at it again when she comes out.

Mrs. Bun, what can I do? I don't want to keep my bunny in her cage, but I'm afraid she'll hurt herself!

Right you are to be concerned. Although your rabbit may hate me for raining on her parade, I'll give you some tips on keeping 110 volts away from her curious teeth.

1. Don't give up on the behavior training. Unlike me, some rabbits are kind of slow in that department.

For example, I used to know a dwarf mix who refused to drink out of a water bottle. That bun would have dehydrated to death without a bowl of water, even if he had a full bottle. But every couple of weeks the foster dorm mom would put a bottle in an demonstrate it. Finally, after two years, he hopped up and started to use it. Patience and consistency are the keys.

2. A more direct measure is to enclose the cords in clear vinyl tubing, sold at many hardware stores. I suggest splurging on the "food-grade" vinyl, available for 30 to 50 cents a foot. You slit the tube once lengthwise, then press the cord into it. I really doesn't look bad.

3. An idea I saw on the Internet was to use "spiral cable wrap," sold at electronics stores. The price reported was $1.50 for 3 feet. The wrap is very flexible, so the cords are more manageable than with the vinyl tubing. A rabbit owner claims he no longer has any chewing episodes after wrapping all the cords in his house.

Readers, do you have other suggestions for deterring cord-chewing?

Column from Volume 3, Number 1::

by Mrs. Bun, Foster rabbit

I was snoozing in my cage one morning recently when a call of nature almost metamorphosed into a call to 911.

I'm in a ground-floor room in the 16-resident Gina and Kurt Scherffius Rabbit Dormitory. I don't get out much, but the food is good and the neighbors are interesting, although sometimes rambunctious.

It was two of those neighbors who caused all the trouble. Some say I had a paw in it, but I deny it. Maybe I'd better fill you in on the facts first.

Whitley, who lives upstairs from me with his girlfriend, Luna, felt the need that morning to...er, how to put it delicately...tinkle. Hose, really.

Not unusual, of course. But that day he chose to use the back corner of his cage that did not contain a litterbox.

Normally, this would be no big deal, merely drawing a grumble from the dorm mother at cleaning time. She's got plastic and newspapers behind and under the dorm stacks to protect against such indiscretions.

However, my next-door neighbor April had been amusing herself lately by chewing on the plastic liner through the back of her cage. Hey, I don't claim never to have done it myself, but you can't prove I had anything to do with actually tearing enough plastic to uncover an electrical socket.

Do I have to draw you a picture? Big ol' white Whitley relieved himself straight into the socket. A loud, buzzing bang and a flash of light ensued.

Burning plastic really smells terrible. The sheet burned down toward the floor, finally catching the newspaper sticking out from under the cages on the floor. In fact, the flames extended into the rear corner of my cage.

Humans reading this might think we were all out of our minds with fear by this time. Give tough buns like us more credit.,/p>

I retired to the other side of the cage and lay down. I hadn't seen the Scherffii leave that morning, so I knew they were still probably snoozing themselves in the next room. I figured if the noise didn't bring them out to investigate, the awful smell would. I know they're sensitive to smells, judging by how much they disrupt us with cage cleaning.

Sure enough, a few minutes later they came charging out. Gina was first. She gaped at the small fire at the floor between April's cage and mine, then got a glassful of water from the kitchen sink.

She doused the flames quickly, though April later complained that her food bowl got water in it. Gina couldn't understand why I wasn't more upset about the fire in my room. Maybe she'll get the hint and have a campfire with marshmallows once in a while.

Kurt rushed outside to check the breaker box. Sure enough, one of the circuits had been blown.

The rest of the story isn't nearly as exciting. After much talk among Kurt and Gina and her parents, they moved several of us into the kitchen while they cleaned up the mess.

It took them a while to figure out exactly what happened. I though the fact that the only lagomorph who acted upset by the whole deal was Whitley, who was crouched in a corner of his cage, trembling. This, and the faint odor of urine on the melted socket, finally clued them in.

The humans hauled him out and checked his privates for injury, but he was fine. He got over the scare pretty quickly and was soon hopping around the room and getting in the way.

Life just isn't fair. I'm minding my own business, I get left in my cage. He causes an electrical fire, he gets to run around and play. Kurt trimmed and capped off the wires, which weren't burned very far. He put in a solid face plate, as well. Fortunately, all that was burned was plastic, paper and some thin paneling which he cut out with a circular saw. Even the hardwood floors were fine.

There was one cosmetic injury, though. After nosing around in the corner of my cage, I discovered nasty black soot on my nose. Gina tried to clean it off, but it stayed.

I was mortified - instead of a regal New Zealand White, I looked like a lowly Californian. I had to endure comments from that troublemaker April (guess what breed she is) for days until it wore off.

The Scherffii put up a smoke detector by our cages and bought another fire extinguisher. We were all lucky that this happened while they were home. I hear that two feet away from where the fire was, a natural gas line runs up to the furnace in the attic!

The moral of this story is two-fold. For humans, protect electrical outlets behind rabbit cages from accidental inundation, and check regularly to make sure they're still secure.

For rabbits: Always use your litterbox.

Editor's note: This is no fable - I just cleaned up the writer's prose a bit.