What to do with nougat?

As many know I have 8 rabbits, 2 are alone. Jeff is happiest on his own and is very close to me but nougat is also a lone bun, a large lion lop neutered female. She has failed to bond with a neutered girl she was brought up with and fights started. She was with a white nethie for months till he started biting and chasing her so that was split and I tried her in a 1 male and 2 young female group which werent previously bonded but that didnt work and she ended up in a fight. She is now at the stage she would rather retaliate first because she knows shes gonna be attacked so I have kept the peace by having her alone. Shes always a very switched off rabbit, doest play with toys, eat treats or much hay but does eat her food and vedgies but usually in secret. Shes shy but appreciates a quiet groom and stroke. I am unsure what I can do to help her, tried various treats and toys, had her next to rabbits through the mesh etc and had her up where I can give her more attention but she is happiest when out free running in the garden where she skips and binkys etc. My mum suggested letting her play in the kitchen for a while to get some stimulation (tiled and easy cleaned), seing us and the dog which she is used to while supervised obv. She could also get used to normal noises this way and get some interaction/company. She also said if she proved to be clean and non destructive she could possibly wander in the living room (getting closer to being a house bun here) Do you think this would help. She needs to come out her shell, She never chews things always toilets in the same place and is very clean, more than I can say for 6 of the others! How many of you have brought your buns in when they are older as in not house trained etc and had sucess? Shes only 1 this month but never been inside. If I was allowed to bring her in it will be a while away as I dont want things ruined much or chewed either.

It sounds like a good plan especially if you mum is happy to give it a go.

I don't have house buns so can't give any advice, but hope things work out for you and her.

I have to ask and let my mum decide seen as im not paying digs till june haha Theres no room in my room so I would have to find somewhere down stairs.

Hey,

I know that you have tried her with lots of buns but have you tried her with Jeff? Perhaps she just needs to find the right bunny partner. He always sounds like a really easy going chap too so perhaps he could be the one?

It may be though that she is just not keep on other buns though and wants to be a people bunny instead.

Daisy is a house bun and being so close to them really is something special and you really do get a special bond with them. It is hard work though, becuase they can be destructive, but also very rewarding too.

I tried jeff with nougat, went fine, jeff with zack and saphie, went fine and tried nougat with zack and saphie again ok so tried a group and then jeff and nougat had a fight. Since then nougat or jeff dont want to be in company but jeff can get grumpy with people when in with another rabbit but his bonds have failed too. I find that all 3 netherlands I have had show agression to people when in company of rabbits.


I dont think nougat will get distructive as she doesnt even chew branches or toys outside and never digs.

Good Luck hun. I hope it works out for her and Jeff.

Jeff is fine and happy with his own space. Bit worried to see nougat never pooped last night or touched her food. Gonna see if she want some excercise tonight in the kitchen.

Just went to check on them and she was where I left her this morning, again no poo or food eaten. I brought her in for 20 mins in the kitchen and in that 20 mins I got more back from her than in the year of owning her. She wandered round and had a pee, its tiles thankfully, I encouraged her into a puppy pad though but she found my jacket instead.

Outside she shys away from being touched, shes spooky and jumpy and never offeres affection but just now she climbed onto my knee herself stood on my shoulder and nibbled my tshirt! I am in shock, she was probably looking for security but the point is she looked to me for it. She got a couple of tellings for chewing my jeans because thats not allowed wherever she is but soon leart. On telling its "no" and a tap and second is a "no" and pushed away from me. She jumped up to my shoulder again so I took her out like that and put her back. Its usually a massive ordeal to carry her from the shed to run and yet she was happy. The min she was back in the hutch she was like old times.

Hi Hun,

Has she eaten or poo'd anything yet?

I need to go back out after tee, she has peed loads so she has to be drinking which makes it less likely to be a physical problem and more depression.

Hi Hun,

Nose rubs for Nougat. She sounds like such a darling and I bet she loved having some mummy time bless her.

I hope you dont mind, and I dont want to tell you what to do - but I would be quite concerned if there is no food going in or poo coming out.

Stasis can take hold very quickly and is not easy for them to come out of once they shut down. I know that Daisy still passes wee when this has happened to him in the past. Keep us updated hun.

I hope she is okay.

Katie x x x x

Dont worry always on the look out if she isnt normal by tomorrow I will organise a check up but the difference in her behaviour outside to in a so different I believe shes depressed but not ruling anything out. Just had a 3000 vet bill with alfie, thank god for insurance so they get it if they need it.

Not eating and not pooping are really serious problems in buns. Sounds like Nougat has GI stasis which can quickly be fatal in rabbits. I would be very concerned given the amount of time it has been now. Do you have an emergency vet you could contact asap?

https://happyhoppers.forumotion.co.uk/rabbit-care-articles-useful-links-f1/what-is-gastro-intestinal-stasis-t41.htm

Please follow link and note how it is called the silent killer. Lots of eating and pooping vibes for Nougat x

I would back up what Charlotte is saying. Gloria was a rabbit who would go into stasis if she was stressed or ill very easily.

I would try to isolate her so you can be sure how much stuff she has passed in the night and try to tempt her to eat. The vets will give her jabs to get her gut going again but it is important to find out why she reacted like that. It could be a reaction to pain - teeth problems, or just stress. But you need to investigate and find out why.

How is Nougat today?

She has picked at a small amount of food and passed some poos not many, still peeing as normal but taking her down to vets in the morning, very active and happy the min I bring her in but utterly depressed when I put her out. Havnt been away from the vets this week!

Indie22 wrote:She has picked at a small amount of food and passed some poos not many, still peeing as normal but taking her down to vets in the morning, very active and happy the min I bring her in but utterly depressed when I put her out. Havnt been away from the vets this week!

Glad to hear that at least something is moving. You should get a sleeping bag at the vets! I feel like that sometimes.

I was just reading about how the gut needs stimulated to start working again. I actually have a (very expensive) massage machine originally designed for horses but used on all animals from farm animals to cats and even babies thinking it may be a good idea for a mild massage to ease any pain or pass any gas till I can get her down. Gonna have to time it because im alone and also cant leave the cat with 22 stitches in while he thinks hes invinsible while ill.

Glad she has passed something. That is a positive sign.

Keep us updated!

Just went out, she has dug at her food and eaten a small amount and passed some more toilet, not a great deal but enough to ensure me she isnt blocked and its all solid etc. She has pulled an inch and a half - 2 inches of hair off her back/bum though but its not sore or scabbed and there is no fleas or mites in them, checked the white ones for easiness and all skin is clean and nothing visible so again pointing to stress. I have narrowed it down to stress living alone or the opposite, stress living in a shed full of rabbits instead of inside. Even though she passed toilet I have her a gentle massage with the machine which she enjoyed just to ease any pain or gas.

I brought jeff into the kitchen hoping to find out if she wanted rabbit contact or if she was scared. As usual Jeff adored her, always has. He used to roll on his back for her and tonight all he done was wash her so it may work after all. Maybe it wasnt these two fighting before maybe jeff had a go at the others and she simply got in the way hence hair every where. Shes very easily spooked.

Got some pics and a video of them together but photobucket is playing up.


Thanks for all the advice