Hi all,

I have a teacup bunny I call Bunnicula.  I found him 13 years ago in my yard which backs off to the woods.  He a domestic bunny some one let go >:( But I saved him! ;D
Poor old sod has something wrong in his mouth :'(.  I think it might be his teeth or gums.  Does anyone have bunnies and have seen this?  I put him in a trance and tryed to open his mouth, no luck.  He still eatting and pooping okay.  Any advise would be good.  I'm thinking of taking him to the Vet on Monday. :'(

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a90/Lisabunnie/Bunnie.jpg

Wow!  Thirteen, that's ancient for a bunny.  My grandmother had a rescued cottontail that lived about that long and it did start to have teeth problems.  They started to grow weird so every few weeks she had to clip his teeth with one of those guittine (spelling?) type animal claw clippers.  I digress-take him to the vet so you won't worry.

What a sweet bunny!  I hope you figure out how to help him.

Hello BunnyMommy  :) I don't have a bunny, but I would say take him to the vet.  Just to be on the safe side.
Good Luck  :) And I hope Bunnicula is okay.

Thanks everyone! Yeah he's a really old bunny, since that picture his nose has gone all grey!  Yes I'm a Bunnymummy! ;D We have a bond/mate thing going.  He loves me but only tolerates hubby.  Bunnies not nasty or anything just aloft with hubby somtimes.  Well we'll see what the vet says...

Cute bunny!!! I hope you find out what's wrong..  Have you tried holding his upper lip on the sides up - this will let you see into their mouth, behind his two front teeth.  It's only a limited view, so going to the vet is probably the best bet.  I'm not sure if this works for rabbits anyway but this is how I used to open my rats' mouths to feed them meds.

I remember I was reading Bunnicula during quiet reading time at school, and got to a really funny part - where the dog eats a sour ball or something.  I started busting up in class - it was so embarrassing.  :)

Cynde

Thanks Cynde!  I could try to pry his mouth open but i'm afraid I'll hurt him and get bit as well  :-[
I read those books too!  That poor dog!  I think he needed some meds after what happened to him! LOL

He's adorable!

I know nothing about bunnies...take him to the vet for your peace of mind as well as his health.

Good luck...hope he's better soon.

(((hugs)))

Cute!! I'm sorry he's not doing too hot, but at least he's still eating and doing his, um, business.  

Awwww - I had a Newzealand Black for many years - his front teeth would grow in that overlong curve - right back into the mouth.  Not uncommon in bunnies especially older ones who can't grinde them down well.

If that it the vet will wonk those guys right off - maybe even instruct you how to do it - it's painless unless there in ingrown tooth.

Sending a good thought to you and bunnz...g

Maroula, Juri - Thanks! he's got me worried alrght.  Still he looks better today.

Gabi - Thanks! You know, all these years and his teeth never seemed to grow!  Bunnuicla is a house rabbit - no cage.  He lives on the living room rug,  has his own bed and litterbox.  He absolutely rules the floor!  Put anything on it and he moves it! If hubby would leave his t-shirts or socks on the living room floor he would find them with holes in them!  Now he doesn't leave his clothes on the floor anymore, Thanks bunny!!! 8)

Sending good bunny thoughts. Let us know what the vet says.  :)

He's adorable!!  I remember the books, seeing his name made me smile.

Sorry he's having a health issue.  It is so hard when the fur babies get sick.   :(

I hope the course of action is simple and pain free (for you both).

Good Luck, Lisabelle.  Please keep us posted.

Good Luck, Bunnicula!  :-*

NR, Sakina, Thank you.  I will keep you all posted.  Right now he's sleeping on my part of the sofa.  I'm going over to cuddle him ;)

What a sweet bunny!  :D

He's also VERY old for a bunny. No wonder he has problems! Usually rabbits live up to 12 years, and start to die from 5 years on. Large breeds are short-lived in general.

I have a bunny too- I have had bunnies for all my life. The one I have now, Liina, is 8 years old and I have considered her old for about two years now- though she doesn't look like it.

Here she is
My first recommendation is, that you should take Bunny to the vet right away- Bunnies have a habit of dying very fast (in hours if you're unlucky and can't act quickly), and they hide signs of illness as long as they can.
It's important to know, that not any vet is knowledgeable about bunnies- you need to find someone who is. House Rabbit Society (www.rabbit.org) might be able to help you find a good vet. If they can't help, find a vet that is specialized to exotic pets (anything but dogs and cats are "exotic" in vet terminology).

As for what might trouble your bunny,to me it sounds like dental problems though it's not certain. Bunnies have teeth that grow all the time, and age or inappropriate diet can cause previously healthy bunnies to start developing problems- usually in form of sharp "spikes" that grow in their mouth. They make eating difficult, and if things get really bad, they may be fatal. You cannot see the spikes- they are in back teeth of bunnies (hare animals -leporidae- have four front teeth that are easily visible, then there is a gap, and deep in their mouths they have back teeth. A vet must check the mouth with a special tool in order to see the back teeth. If there is something wrong, he will file the back teeth. It doesn't hurt and bunny won't need to be sedated. Once this problem has occurred, it usually starts reoccurring again though, and you need to take bunny for "filing" regularly. Giving hard things like clean branches of willow or apple tree, hard food like carrots and apple, may help the teeth to wear down more, but usually can't completely cure the problem.

Though this is not a serious problem, it must be taken seriously and Bunny needs to see vet at once. If there's one thing to understand about bunnies, that is that they have incredibly sensitive tummies -just like horses- and anything that disturbs their complex digestion process may have severe consequences if not taken care of immediately.

Wow - what a bunny education!  Thanks Galadriel.

I hope bunny will be OK, be sure to let us know -- we're all pulling for ya!

How wonderful you know so much about bunnies, Galadriel!

Galadriel - thanks for the bunny info.  My vet know's alot about bunnies so were good there. Bunny see's the Vet on Monday, they said if theres any problems before that to call the vet (I got her cell #)  anytime.  I have heard of the "House Rabbit Society" They didn't seem interested in my bunny though... :-[

Your little doe is so cute!!  I know my buck would love to meet her!! ;D ::)

Galadriel! Wow! That's some information on bunnies. Although, I will now spend the weekend worred about Lisabelle's bunny.... :)

You know you spend too much time on Longlocks when....you worry about member's bunnies.  ;)

Great to hear that your bunny is in good care- finding a good bunny vet can be difficult. :) I'm sure he'd love to meet Liina  ;D . Unfortunately, I don't think that L would feel the same way- she's pickiest bunny I've ever met and has been violent towards every rabbit she's been introduced to.  ::) She doesn't like people either, except me and spouse and our blood relatives (eg. she accepts T's mother, but not her fiancé  ::) ). Weird little thing...

Have you seen this site? It's got great information about rabbit language (and also some good insight on how they think).

Linda Dykes& Helen Flack: Living with a Houserabbit is another great resource.

How is Bunnicula?  Has bunny been to see the doc yet?

Galadriel - Oh dear, your bunny is really different form mine.  Bunncuila loves everyone and has never bit anyone.  He's just a little suck!!  Thanks for that link, it was very interesting!!!  Now I know what's on bunnies mind!!

Chilliepepper - bunny is okay for now, he sees the Vet on monday at 3:45.  He's a good traveler and all, so we will see what the vet says!

The bunny update!!!

Well, little Bunnucila did very well at the vets today.  The Vet checked his teeth and found no problems!  She was more concered about the arthritis in his front paws.  She said she can refere me if he gets worst i.e. limping. etc which he is not. Other wise he's doing great for 13!! All the nurses called him "The George Burns of Bunnies"  ;D   Poor bunny braved having a tool that looked like a ear probe put down his mouth.  I held him and soothed him.  He never once growled or tried to bite!  The vet wants me to call her in about 4 days to see if he's the same.

Thank you everyone for your support!!  :D

I'm glad Bunnicula doing okay (except for the arthritis)! He sounds like a very well behaved rabbit.  :)

YEAHH!!!!!

I am glad to hear the bunny is doing well for his age. It's always worrisome when our little friends seem to be unwell.

I'm so glad that bunny is doing well for its age and that it does not seem to be serious.  I'm sure his longevity is due to your love and care for him!

Good for Bunnicula!  What a brave bunny not to growl or bite the vet :)

Thanks everyone! ;D

Oh I'm so glad for you!!  I hope you gave Bunnicula a special treat for being so good at the vet's.

:-* for Bunnicula - we could get up a basket of onion greens laced with just a few carrots, maybe a little butter lettuce.

I do hope he feels well ...g

Maroula  Oh yes he got a teaspoon of cherry frozen youghert to help sooth his mouth after the probe  ::)

Gabi bunny would love that basket!!

wrote on Aug 30^th, 2005 at 11:52am:

Maroula  Oh yes he got a teaspoon of cherry frozen youghert to help sooth his mouth after the probe  ::) Gabi bunny would love that basket!!

Ooo, yummy!!! You're a good mommy!!  :)

Bunnies growl?  :o  You learn something new everyday!

My ratties were picky eaters.  I used to give them mixed veggies, and they ALL preferred corn first, and left a pile of carrots in the bowl.  I'd always tell them they didn't know how good they had it compared to their cousins running around in the wild.  They just blew me off.  :)

Cynde

Bunnies are known for that I've heard.  My grandmother's bunny blew me off no matter what goodie I brought him :'(

I'm happy to hear that the vet went well and nothing serious was found.  :D Long live Bunnicula!  :D

For Liina, the cherry frozen yoghurt would have been worst torture of all- she's the only bunny I know who absolutely hates everything sweet. Even apples, she won't eat anything but Granny Smiths. ::) She's always so concerned about healthy eating and getting her exercise...

Lisabelle- bucks and does are really different beings. In my (very limited) experience, bucks are super cuddly and laid back and it's very hard to annoy them. Does, on the other hand, have a Character, and they believe it's their hard job to keep their well-meaning but not too bright people in order and behaving well. I sometimes think there's some resemblance to humans... :P

For some reason, I've always had does. They make life so interesting.