paulbunnyan
Member
I have a (formerly) bonded, neutered/spayed trio: Paul (7), Kevin (4), and Bea (2).
To make this short, I fostered a pair of rescue bunnies for just a week (in a separate bedroom). I've fostered many over the years, but for whatever a reason, a certain sound or scent from these ones must have set my bunnies off because one day after work, I found Paul's nose split open. I stupidly took him to the vet by himself, and when he came back, Bea attacked him immediately. I kept him quarantined until he healed completely, but 2 months later, Bea still tries to bite him.
I went about the usual tactics: daily bathtub sessions, long car rides, etc. During the tub sessions, Bea will immediately run up to Paul (who is usually the alpha) and be submissive by lowering her head asking for grooming and even groom him, but it won't be long until she immediately tries biting him again. I've been spraying her in the face trying to deter this. The car rides are the only times she's too afraid to attack.
I'm trying to keep my emotions at bay and stay steadfast, but I'm noticing Paul breathes very hard when he's around Bea now and thumps continously. He's very anxious around her, and I'm trying to break this cycle of Bea attacking Paul, Paul getting anxious, and Bea then wanting to attack Paul because he's anxious. I'm not sure if this is good for his health -- is 7 considered old?
Any advice to get past this hump would be appreciated!
To make this short, I fostered a pair of rescue bunnies for just a week (in a separate bedroom). I've fostered many over the years, but for whatever a reason, a certain sound or scent from these ones must have set my bunnies off because one day after work, I found Paul's nose split open. I stupidly took him to the vet by himself, and when he came back, Bea attacked him immediately. I kept him quarantined until he healed completely, but 2 months later, Bea still tries to bite him.
I went about the usual tactics: daily bathtub sessions, long car rides, etc. During the tub sessions, Bea will immediately run up to Paul (who is usually the alpha) and be submissive by lowering her head asking for grooming and even groom him, but it won't be long until she immediately tries biting him again. I've been spraying her in the face trying to deter this. The car rides are the only times she's too afraid to attack.
I'm trying to keep my emotions at bay and stay steadfast, but I'm noticing Paul breathes very hard when he's around Bea now and thumps continously. He's very anxious around her, and I'm trying to break this cycle of Bea attacking Paul, Paul getting anxious, and Bea then wanting to attack Paul because he's anxious. I'm not sure if this is good for his health -- is 7 considered old?
Any advice to get past this hump would be appreciated!