Hi, Everyone!
I hope that all of you are having a nice weekend (and, if you celebrate either holiday, a happy Passover or Easter)!
I have a three and a half-year-old neutered male mini lop, named Zeke. I've always had it in the back of my mind that I'd like to find a companion for him. A couple of years ago, I took him to an adoption event so he could go on a few "dates." He interacted with one male (obviously that didn't go so well), and the two females that he "dated" were a bit aggressive (nipping or "throwing punches").
Today, I took Zeke to an adoption event (due to Easter, people weren't allowed to take any rabbits home today; they're available for pick up early this coming week). Zeke "dated" four different girls. Three of them did not go so well. Initially, Zeke was pretty aloof or uninterested. I was told that this was good; that he would be a good candidate for bonding. However, the girls were aggressive toward him. Early on in the introductions, he was nipped and/or chased. He then mounted one or two of them.
One of the introductions did seem to go very well. Both Zeke and *Flower (name changed to protect identity -- ha ha) were uninterested in each other at first. Eventually, they approached each other briefly, and there were no signs of aggression. Zeke did try to mount her once or twice (not in an aggressive way). She did not become upset, and he behaved once I pulled him off of her. Once, before mounting her, he licked her ears and neck. They eventually became comfortable enough to lounge next to each other and groom themselves in each other's presence. Flower was a bit shy, but Zeke definitely helped her come out of her shell. She approached him a few times and would stretch out and lie down next to where he was sitting. They were also content to lie down in the litter box together (I picked them up and put them in there together). They were together for maybe an hour. When Zeke was taken out of the cage, she withdrew to her corner and seemed shy again. I think that she was more interested in him than he was, in her. He was probably just being a silly, aloof guy.
:biggrin2: He was so interested in eating hay that he couldn't be bothered. Maybe he would come around eventually. The initial interaction, while they weren't smothering each other with kisses and attached at the hip, seemed to go well.
Now, here's where I'm concerned. Before Zeke even began interacting with Flower, I was told that Flower's eye is a bit cloudy. From what I understand, she hasn't been at the shelter too long; maybe a few weeks. I can't recall if I was told that the condition developed while she was at the shelter or before she was taken to the shelter. The volunteers suspect that she suffered some injury and the eye is in the healing process. They told me that it could go either way; the "injury" could heal and the eye could clear up, or, she could possibly need the eye removed. I know that she has seen a vet, but I'm not sure if she has seen a vet specifically for this condition. In order for her to see the vet again (and the first vet appointment would be free and with a reputable vet), I would have to adopt her. It would then be a done deal because I absolutely wouldn't feel right about returning her if something were wrong (and I was told that the shelter probably wouldn't want to take her back if something really were wrong; she would most likely have to go into foster care). While it might take some getting used to, I am not deterred by the thought of her missing an eye. It just seems like it could be a very lengthy, emotional process involving several veterniarian trips, recovery, getting acclimated to her new home and Zeke, etc. If I understand correctly, the rabbit organization heading up the event explained that as long as the medical care was documented and I followed a reasonable course of whatever is recommend and necessary, they would cover the cost of the surgery (that is, of course, if Flower even needs it). I did get the impression that they would cover the cost instead of just helping out a bit. That would be much appreciated. It's wonderful that they are able to offer that assistance and that they do offer that.
Anyway, I'm wondering what to do. Please don't think that I'm not compassionate! I hope I don't come off that way. Maybe I'm weak for having concerns, but I can't help it. I have gotten fabulous advice here, so I trust that I can be honest with all of you and that I will receive wonderful, helpful responses It's just difficult to think about welcoming a new animal into my home who isn't well. I'm sure that I could handle it, but I will admit that I am nervous. I'm just wondering how reasonable it is for me to feel distressed and overwhelmed thinking about the process. Maybe I should just get over whatever doubts I have and embrace this rabbit as a new member of my household... just because! She has a wonderful personality, and she got along with both Zeke and me. Or, is it acceptable and normal to have these anxieties?
Just to describe how her eye looked (and FYI: Flower is about two-years-old and before she was spayed, she gave birth to two girls): It didn't look goopy, but the fur under the eye was slightly wet (I'm assuming that the eye tears sporadically). It was difficult to tell if the entire eye was cloudy, or just part of it. It also seemed... not like Flower was cross-eyed, but it looked like that particular eye wasn't focused; the part of the eye with the pupil was further back than it should have been. I hope that that all makes sense. Oh, and she didn't seem to be in any pain at all. She was on the shy side, but eventually warmed up to Zeke and me. She would nudge me, let me pet her, and was grinding her teeth like crazy! She let me pet her all over her face and didn't seem to flinch or squint her eye when I was petting her cheek.
If anyone wants to tell me what to do... it would be much appreciated! LOL!
Thanks.
I hope that all of you are having a nice weekend (and, if you celebrate either holiday, a happy Passover or Easter)!
I have a three and a half-year-old neutered male mini lop, named Zeke. I've always had it in the back of my mind that I'd like to find a companion for him. A couple of years ago, I took him to an adoption event so he could go on a few "dates." He interacted with one male (obviously that didn't go so well), and the two females that he "dated" were a bit aggressive (nipping or "throwing punches").
Today, I took Zeke to an adoption event (due to Easter, people weren't allowed to take any rabbits home today; they're available for pick up early this coming week). Zeke "dated" four different girls. Three of them did not go so well. Initially, Zeke was pretty aloof or uninterested. I was told that this was good; that he would be a good candidate for bonding. However, the girls were aggressive toward him. Early on in the introductions, he was nipped and/or chased. He then mounted one or two of them.
One of the introductions did seem to go very well. Both Zeke and *Flower (name changed to protect identity -- ha ha) were uninterested in each other at first. Eventually, they approached each other briefly, and there were no signs of aggression. Zeke did try to mount her once or twice (not in an aggressive way). She did not become upset, and he behaved once I pulled him off of her. Once, before mounting her, he licked her ears and neck. They eventually became comfortable enough to lounge next to each other and groom themselves in each other's presence. Flower was a bit shy, but Zeke definitely helped her come out of her shell. She approached him a few times and would stretch out and lie down next to where he was sitting. They were also content to lie down in the litter box together (I picked them up and put them in there together). They were together for maybe an hour. When Zeke was taken out of the cage, she withdrew to her corner and seemed shy again. I think that she was more interested in him than he was, in her. He was probably just being a silly, aloof guy.
:biggrin2: He was so interested in eating hay that he couldn't be bothered. Maybe he would come around eventually. The initial interaction, while they weren't smothering each other with kisses and attached at the hip, seemed to go well.Now, here's where I'm concerned. Before Zeke even began interacting with Flower, I was told that Flower's eye is a bit cloudy. From what I understand, she hasn't been at the shelter too long; maybe a few weeks. I can't recall if I was told that the condition developed while she was at the shelter or before she was taken to the shelter. The volunteers suspect that she suffered some injury and the eye is in the healing process. They told me that it could go either way; the "injury" could heal and the eye could clear up, or, she could possibly need the eye removed. I know that she has seen a vet, but I'm not sure if she has seen a vet specifically for this condition. In order for her to see the vet again (and the first vet appointment would be free and with a reputable vet), I would have to adopt her. It would then be a done deal because I absolutely wouldn't feel right about returning her if something were wrong (and I was told that the shelter probably wouldn't want to take her back if something really were wrong; she would most likely have to go into foster care). While it might take some getting used to, I am not deterred by the thought of her missing an eye. It just seems like it could be a very lengthy, emotional process involving several veterniarian trips, recovery, getting acclimated to her new home and Zeke, etc. If I understand correctly, the rabbit organization heading up the event explained that as long as the medical care was documented and I followed a reasonable course of whatever is recommend and necessary, they would cover the cost of the surgery (that is, of course, if Flower even needs it). I did get the impression that they would cover the cost instead of just helping out a bit. That would be much appreciated. It's wonderful that they are able to offer that assistance and that they do offer that.
Anyway, I'm wondering what to do. Please don't think that I'm not compassionate! I hope I don't come off that way. Maybe I'm weak for having concerns, but I can't help it. I have gotten fabulous advice here, so I trust that I can be honest with all of you and that I will receive wonderful, helpful responses It's just difficult to think about welcoming a new animal into my home who isn't well. I'm sure that I could handle it, but I will admit that I am nervous. I'm just wondering how reasonable it is for me to feel distressed and overwhelmed thinking about the process. Maybe I should just get over whatever doubts I have and embrace this rabbit as a new member of my household... just because! She has a wonderful personality, and she got along with both Zeke and me. Or, is it acceptable and normal to have these anxieties?
Just to describe how her eye looked (and FYI: Flower is about two-years-old and before she was spayed, she gave birth to two girls): It didn't look goopy, but the fur under the eye was slightly wet (I'm assuming that the eye tears sporadically). It was difficult to tell if the entire eye was cloudy, or just part of it. It also seemed... not like Flower was cross-eyed, but it looked like that particular eye wasn't focused; the part of the eye with the pupil was further back than it should have been. I hope that that all makes sense. Oh, and she didn't seem to be in any pain at all. She was on the shy side, but eventually warmed up to Zeke and me. She would nudge me, let me pet her, and was grinding her teeth like crazy! She let me pet her all over her face and didn't seem to flinch or squint her eye when I was petting her cheek.
If anyone wants to tell me what to do... it would be much appreciated! LOL!
Thanks.
