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Having gotten a rabbit in the blink of an eye, I was at a total loss about the care of such creatures. Boy did I learn fast! The reason I acquired Digger was because it was either me or two hungry looking German Shepards. Yes, the man that had the small bunny intended to throw him to the dogs, literally! I had no idea what I would be in store for with the bunny, but I knew I just couldn't permit him to be so horribly "disposed" of.

So, the rabbit came home with me. There followed much intense study of books and internet reading. One site that was of tremendous value was the House Rabbit Society site and I would recommend anyone even thinking of getting a rabbit to start there and read everything they have, and even stop in to the chat room in the evenings to talk to current rabbit owners, or as we call ourselves, "the bunny people."

My first experience with a sickness with Digger was when he wasn't eating very much and I noticed that his droppings were getting smaller and smaller. I was in a panic and that is not the best time to be hunting for a bunny vet. I do not recommend vetting a rabbit with a regular vet. Find one that specializes in rabbits, which after 3 tries, I was able to do. Digger had teeth problems. Teeth problems lead to gut problems (because they stop eating) and in very short order, the gut problems lead to death!

Digger has on-going teeth problems so I am ever watchful of his droppings as well as any questionable way he eats his food. And I have also learned, more hay in the form of timothy, orchard grass, Bermuda grass that he eats, the better for his teeth and subsequently, his gut. People that have been through this process of gut problems with bunnies, called stasis, are probably the only people in the world who are overjoyed to see poop!

The signs of stasis are slight at first and many people do not recognize this until it is too late for the poor bunny! Digger has been to the vet for dental work more than I have in the 6 years I've had him! There have even been a couple of times I had to force feed and medicate him. He is around 3 lbs, so handling a bunny that small is sometimes a challenge as well.

When I took him, I had no idea what a little person a bunny could be. He quickly made having a bunny a most rewarding experience for me. And once you have one bunny the best thing for the first one, is to get a second bunny!

Learn more about this author, Marylou Houck.
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