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PHFaust: Allow me to introduce a person I kindly refer to as our Bunny Girl... Our guest this evening is Ellie Lesch who is the bunny volunteer for Elmbrook Humane Society located in Brookfield. She is also a volunteer with the house rabbit society of Wisconin PHFaust: If you have a question for Ellie, please type ? in the room PHBumble: Hey Ellie, nice to meet the Bunny Girl!! Ellie_Lesch: and I have three rabbits myself PHFaust: Ellie saves me from personal danger by cleaning the bunnies in the shelter. PHFaust: How many are adopted? Ellie_Lesch: all three...one from WI House Rabbit Society & two from Elmbrook PHFaust: What do you feel is the one biggest misconception people have when they get a bunny as a pet, of course easter gift time aside. Ellie_Lesch: That rabbits like to be held...they would rather have all four of their feet on the ground. PHBumble: Hello Restless & Cassie Ellie_Lesch: Most people also do not realize that rabbits can be litter box trained and is quite easy. PHFaust: If you have a question for Ellie, please pit a ? in the room pitdorks: ? PHFaust: What are the minimal needs for someone to have a rabbit as a pet. I know many people think aquariums, but those hold urine smells badly... Sarasmushu: ? PHFaust: BTW Ellie, please type a GA when done so we know to go Ahead Ellie_Lesch: Aquariums should not be used to house rabbits. A cage used a dog is okay; however, rabbits need exercise time outside of the cage. Ellie_Lesch: GA PHFaust: Pitdorks pitdorks: I see a lot of prebagged diets available for rabbits in pet supply stores - but what is the best diet for them? I know they need hay, but what else is good for them? PHBumble: Hey Mid Midask9: hellooooo PHFaust: Welcome to the guest chat with Ellie Lesch of the House Rabbit Society. If you have a question for Ellie on Rabbit care, please feel free to put a ? in the room Ellie_Lesch: Oxbow Bunny Basic T is great and is what I use. When looking for a pellet you need something that is high in fiber and low in protein. I will get the specific out there in a second. Ellie_Lesch: Choose a pellet that is high in fiber (>18%), and low in protein (<14%), calcium (<0.9), and fat (<2%). However, few pellets meet this standard. Ellie_Lesch: Do you want other brand recommendations? Ellie_Lesch: GA PHFaust: Sure that will help with people reading our transcript... PHFaust: If Oxbow isnt available what others would you suggest Ellie_Lesch: First it should be a plain pellet, meaning without seeds, dehydrated vegetables or fruits, grains, or dried corn. Ellie_Lesch: Brands that meet the standard...some Timothy based and some alfalfa based: Ellie_Lesch: Purina's HF (PMI High-Fiber), American Pet Diner's, & Kaytee Ellie_Lesch: In addition to pellets and hay, fresh vegetables should be given daily and fruits can be given a few times a week. Ellie_Lesch: GA pitdorks: ? PHFaust: Sarasmushu your turn Sarasmushu: Growing up I had rabbits for about 6 yrs mostly show rabbits. My fiancee and I rescued a female rabbit about 1 yr old about 4 mo ago. She Grunts at us when we open her cage and also when we pet her when we pick her up she stops. But, She also Grunts when she is playing Fecth which she loves to do and can do it for hours. is there a Reason that she Grunts? I have never had a rabbit do this before. Ellie_Lesch: is your rabbit spayed? Sarasmushu: No Sarasmushu: We got her Because she had the sniffles and wasn't sell able so the petstore give her to us since I had experiance Ellie_Lesch: She is mostly likely displaying territorial issues in reguard to her cage space...nesting spot. Sarasmushu: ah ok good to know Midask9: ? Lucifers_x2c: hello... PHBumble: Hello Lucifers & jusbatty Ellie_Lesch: FYI - Female rabbits by the age of 5, 80% of them have uterine cancer and show signs as early as 6 months of age. Sarasmushu: Ok Ellie_Lesch: The cancer signs that are shown as early as 6 months can often only be seen internal. Sarasmushu: I have never had a rabbit Spayed but I will definitely look into it FurriePrincess: ? PHFaust: Spaying would also correct the cage issue correct>? Ellie_Lesch: Some shelters will do it and cheaper than a clinic; however, make sure you have a vet that has successfully done many spays. Surprisingly not all vets can do this procedure and do it well. PHFaust: Welcome to the guest chat with Ellie Lesch of the House Rabbit Society. If you have a question for Ellie on Rabbit care, please feel free to put a ? in the room 2Rabbits_nr: ? Ellie_Lesch: Cage issue? PHFaust: The grunting at the cage Ellie_Lesch: More than anything spaying should correct or lessen grunting around cage. Ellie_Lesch: However, some rabbit do talk. PHFaust: Did you have further question on that Sara Sarasmushu: I know my Shelter does Spays on Rabbits Sarasmushu: nope I'm good thank you for answering my question PHFaust: Pitdorks Ellie_Lesch: your welcome pitdorks: I'm a guinea pig person in reality...I know that GPs need to be supplemented with vitamin C as they do not produce it on their own - are rabbits in the same boat? Ellie_Lesch: rabbits do not need vitamins, but was once believed that they did Ellie_Lesch: just lots of hay Ellie_Lesch: GA PHFaust: Furrie your turn. FurriePrincess: I personally have a lot of experience with cats, and with them there are specific breed traits. Is the same seen in rabbits. Such as between Mini Rex and Lop? pitdorks: ? Ellie_Lesch: There are many different breeds of rabbit, many of them know cross breed with two and even three different breeds. Sarasmushu: ? FurriePrincess: Are there temperment or behavior differences? FurriePrincess: Like Siamese are known to be one person cats and talkative... what traits do different breeds have? Ellie_Lesch: yes Ellie_Lesch: just like other animals that are over breed behavior problems can arise Ellie_Lesch: also just like othr animals each rabbit has an unique personality Ellie_Lesch: as for talkative or cuddly, no FurriePrincess: LOL FurriePrincess: thank you, ga PHFaust: 2bunnies PHFaust: make that 2rabbits PHFaust: 2rabbits going twice 2Rabbits_nr: I have a friend who just lost one of her 2 bunnies, and I would like to get her a new one so that hers isn't lonely, I really want to suprise her :) Any suggestions? Ellie_Lesch: The best way advise in getting another rabbit is introduing the two rabbits to even see if they like each other. Like humans, rabbits are picky in who they want to hang out with. However, the most important thing is that both rabbits are altered (spayed or neutered). Decreasing the tendency to fight. Rabbits can and will fight to the death. 2Rabbits_nr: how can I do that? At the pet store?? Ellie_Lesch: opposite sexes get along the best...another reason for altering Ellie_Lesch: Introductions can only be done at your local shelter or rabbit rescue group. Remember rabbits at pet stores are not altered. 2Rabbits_nr: ohh, I never even thought of the shelter Ellie_Lesch: Also, rabbits at shelters and rescue groups are altered, litter box trained, and often socialized. PHFaust: Shelters always have lots of rabbits available. Ellie_Lesch: and cheaper from these places KeWee_nr: Hi...my six year old rabbit is suffering right now and so am I. 2Rabbits_nr: wow, I will have to go and look, thanks! 2Rabbits_nr: ga PHFaust: Sara your turn Sarasmushu: I have seen it common practice to house Guiena pigs and Rabbits in the same cage is this a safe practice or is it not reccomended? Ellie_Lesch: rabbits personalities to not fully come out until 1year old, so from a pet store you might not know what you are REALLY getting. PHFaust: KeWee hang on one moment and we can see if ellie help you.. Sarasmushu: if you want you can skip me and go to KeWee Mines not so important Ellie_Lesch: www.petfinder.com is a great place to start in the looking process. You will be suprised with how many rabbits are waiting for homes. PHFaust: Real quick, ellie, is it a good idea to put bunnies and piggies together? Ellie_Lesch: GPigs and a rabbit are fine to hang out, but not housed together. You never know what might happen when you are not looking. Sarasmushu: ok thats what I thought but it's always safer to ask than regret it PHFaust: Kewee what question did you have for Ellie Tarrigo: ? PHBumble: WeeKee, thanks for coming, did you have any problems finding the room? KeWee_nr: Two days ago KW began straining and expelling what I thought was bladder sludge. It came on suddenly and got worse. She was seen by a vet who put her on antiboitics and a pain med. She will not eat; even the Critical Care I put in a syringe dribbles out of her mouth. Ellie_Lesch: However, once bonded rabbit-rabbit can be trusted to house together though. KeWee_nr: She is in extreme pain. The vet said that she has a mass which could be cancer. She suggested euthanisia. PHFaust: what did the vet say it was KeWee_nr: I don't know what to do..KW is six years old and my baby...A UTI with a possible tumour Ellie_Lesch: a knowledgeable rabbit vet? KeWee_nr: The vet said that only a specialist can help - $800 t0 $1K for the visit which I don't have. There are no specialists in my area. Ellie_Lesch: you need an X-ray done in order to know what is causing the problem KeWee_nr: The xray did not indicate bladder stones, but KW's organs are being pushed aside by a mass... Ellie_Lesch: you don't need a specialize...but a knowledgeable rabbit vet KeWee_nr: There are none in my area... PHFaust: Is there a list of vets on a website somewhere that she can look at? I know there are two on the internet for reptiles KeWee_nr: Have you heard of bladder sludge becoming fatal? Ellie_Lesch: visit www.rabbit.org and click on chapter to find the nearest HRS and within that chapter site they will have knowledgeable rabbit vets listed Ellie_Lesch: I do not think bladder sludge would push organs aside. PHFaust: Kewee you might want to check the website. real quick is your rabbit spay? KeWee_nr: The vet said she could see the presence of a mass which she said was probably a cancerous tumour. And she is spayed and litter trained. KeWee_nr: In severe pain, and I am not able to afford any more medical treatment. I may have to let her go.... Ellie_Lesch: can you see the mass externally KeWee_nr: No, it is internal and quite large. KeWee_nr: She continues to spasm and spasm...just like a woman in labor. KeWee_nr: She is expelling some sludge occasionally... KeWee_nr: This is two days of pain for her and I. Ellie_Lesch: not an abscess then KeWee_nr: The medications for pain and antibiotics have apparently made a difference. How much suffering is enough? Ellie_Lesch: My recommedation is seek treatment ASAP. Rabbits do not survive long once they stop eating. KeWee_nr: What do you do when you are in the waiting stage...waiting for a cure or waiting for death... Tarrigo: my opinion--when the pain in unmanageable, you put them down Ellie_Lesch: That is your decision. Long grinding teeth means pain. Ellie_Lesch: short teeth grinding means happiness KeWee_nr: She is wheezing..grunting...That is why I came to this room..to find some support in this situation. heartbreaking situation. PHFaust: It might be her time... Hugs to you Ellie_Lesch: Personally, I like to know the cause of my animals' problems. Ellie_Lesch: a healthy rabbit may grunt KeWee_nr: thank you PH Faust. I needed to hear that - her suffering is intolerable to me. Ellie_Lesch: wheezing...having a difficult time breathing? KeWee_nr: No it is the wheezing or crying that comes with her effort to squeeze out the sludge/stones. KeWee_nr: It's just like contractions...for days now. PHFaust: Check out the house rabbit site and see if they have any vets near you would be my first suggestion Ellie_Lesch: I am not a vet, so I am sorry I do not have the answers for you. Ellie_Lesch: I agree with PHFaust. PHFaust: Hugs to you Kewee. This is never an easy decision KeWee_nr: Good night. Ellie_Lesch: any more questions? PHFaust: Well on Behalf of Jeff Barringer, myself and all at exotic hobbyist, Ellie thank you for coming... :) I think we are done! FurriePrincess: Thank you Ellie PHFaust: See you next sunday, I am off this week. Ellie_Lesch: my pleasure PHFaust: Thank you so much for taking the time Ellie_Lesch: time flew by PHFaust: sure did! Thank you again for coming
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