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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Need some advice from you rabbit guys. While my wife was looking at the junk??? at a garage sale yesterday, I saw the owners of the house had a rabbit in a cage outside. I took a look and was horrified at the conditions. The rabbit seemed healthy but it looked like the bottom of the cage hadn't been cleaned in a long time. The excrement was almost a solid layer. Consequently, the hind legs and tail area of the rabbit were very dirty from sitting in this mess.
I don't use a rabbit currently in my act but I couldn't leave that poor rabbit there. He wasn't in the garage sale but I made an offer to the owner anyway. After some haggling, I took the rabbit. Now my question. What's the best way to clean the bunny and get rid of all that dirt and fecal staining from it's legs and tail? I didn't want to use any cleaning solutions and wondered if I should just use warm water and some type of soft soap.
Where the magic begins
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Dave, when I had a Guinea Pig, my wife at the time, would give the pig a bath in the kitchen sink every week. She used baby shampoo as I remember. They do sell animal shampoo at the pet store if you care to use it.
Sounds like the poor thing may not be use to a bath, so if it still has it's claws, take the advice of way to bath a cat, put an old screen in the sink so the claws go into the screen and not you. Why use the kitchen sink, because it has that nice sprayer to rinse the rabbit off. |
tropicalillusions Special user Tulsa Okla 631 Posts |
Dave If we need to wash the hind side of our ANGORA( Very Hairy) we always set her in the bath tub with an inch of water or so to cover the area. WE do use a soft soap, just like the soap at the Pet store that Hegbli Mentioned. This was mentioned to us by the VEt during our annual visits and also recommended by our USDA inspector. Glad to hear of your concerns for the critter, as we know you always do the best for your animal friends,,, good to hear from you on this post.
Our girl usually gets a bit dirty when we let her out to hop around on the stages or in the tall grass. Her Hairy end cathces all the debris from the grass or floor, kind of like a dust mop...LOL Keep an eye on her end side for Maggots from her setting in her Fesces. This can happen from the condition you were speaking of. Flys will leave the larvae in the remains and the maggots are born and you can picture the rest. |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Thanks guys. This may take a bath or two to get it clean. He's really dirty. I don't see any signs of maggots or any flying creatures around so maybe I'm lucky.
Where the magic begins
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hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
I remember trying to clean rabbits up for 4-H and the fair when I was kid. It was a real pain. Chris is right on the mark with his suggestions. Just watch the little doesn't catch a draft and get chilled.
What really bothers me about this is abuse of the animal and yet the USDA makes it difficult on some magicians who are truly caring properly for their animals. Thanks for caring enough to rescue this little guy. Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
It depends on long the hair is. If it is long, cut the hair off in those areas. If the debris is hard and solid, pull it outward to cut the hair where the debris connects.
If the rabbit's fur is short and soiled, use a method from above. |
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Cut away whatever you can if possible, and then go the warm water/mild soap solution. Good luck Dave! That bunny was lucky that you came along! I commend you for your compassion and desire to rescue that bunny. Let us know how it turns out!
Mister Mystery
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Fortunately, there are no hard fecal pieces attached to the hair. It's all just dirt and staining. I've already washed him twice and it's starting to clean up but it's going to take a few more bathes to get him fixed up.
Where the magic begins
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tropicalillusions Special user Tulsa Okla 631 Posts |
This is good news dave. we also apply baby powder and comb it out, somtimes this powder will help catch the stains and you may be able to comb out some of it. Remember this is for our Angora with really long Hare,,, get it Hare... ok enough stupid puns. Our girl usually sets on a towell after her baths to help soak up the water that remains after the bath. then we apply baby powder. We have our girl inside so we always clean cage. a lot of wire brushing on the cage fllor as well to help some of her fesces to fall on thru. Some of it does get caught up in the mesh on th efloor bottom, especially since she has long hare that also buils up on the floor. So lots of wire brushing on our cage floor, This also helps keep the floor from getting rusty areas that also come about, especially under the water bottle area. Glad to hear you Rabbit is getting good care. Always good to hear from you.
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Well, I was going to post an update on the condition of my new friend but the news is different. I managed to get him cleaned up and he seemed to be very healthy. A definite addition to my family. Unfortunately, I went out to feed him yesterday morning and he laying on his side, with one hind leg pulled up and it looked like he was convulsing. One of his eyes seemed to be closed. I ended up taking him to an emergency animal clinic. They said he had broken his leg in two places, had a problem with his bowels and they found a rather large lump in his stomach area.
You guys know how I feel about my animals and I just couldn't see putting him through all the corrective actions he needed so my opted to put the little guy to sleep. Even though he wasn't with me for very long, he was still part of my family. It's always hard to loose a buddy but I think he's better off now.
Where the magic begins
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tropicalillusions Special user Tulsa Okla 631 Posts |
Hey Dave, Sorry to hear about this. Good thing is you did what you could for this animal, and gave him a good life. I had one from an litter that once he got 6 months old,,, would convulse every other day it seemed. They were not to severe, but, this beautiful creature mad it for a little over a year, then we to had to put to sleep. It is tough when one bonds with their critter making them Famil. Thanks for being kind to the critters and being there for them. Your dove family is doing well here in Tulsa at the Farm. Take care my ole friend.
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Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Dave, I am sorry to hear about this. You did a great deed and I want to commend you again for rescuing the little fellow. At least he got to live good for a while.
Mister Mystery
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Autumn Morning Star Grammar Hostess Today, I corrected grammar in 1378 Posts |
Thank you for adopting him and making his last few days beautiful. Bless you and I am so sorry for your loss. :'(
Wonder is very necessary in life. When we're little kids, we're filled with wonder for the world - it's fascinating and miraculous. A lot of people lose that. They become cynical and jaded, especially in modern day society. Magic renews that wonder.
Doug Henning |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
I am sorry about your friend Dave.
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