I have named this lovely blue eyed white boy 'Casper'. He was born in April 2016 When he was 8 weeks old he was sold by his breeder to a pet home. A friend of mine bred him, his mum was a blue eyed white doe I had bred here, his dad was a blue eyed black split. Casper went to his new home a happy healthy baby boy. On the Friday 14th April 2017 I saw an advert for Casper, his owner was selling him due to having no time for him. His little feet looked filthy and he looked very sad so even though I didn't really need another bunny I contacted the seller and arranged to collect him. I asked why his feet were so stained, I asked had he been in the garden? I was told it was because his hutch was possibly too small and he was laying in his own wee....
I arrived to pick him up expecting to find a 'dirty' but healthy bun. I had quite a shock as when I picked him up he was just a bag of bones, severely emaciated and very depressed. Even his ears were dirty on the tips where he had probably lay with his head down and his ears lying in the filth he lived in. I paid his owner and got him home. I weighed him and was shocked to find he was just 2lb 2oz, the same weight as a bag of sugar... for his size he should weigh around 3.5lb to 4lb.
I gave him a dish of rabbit food which he tucked straight into, nothing wrong with his appetite. I also gave him lots of fresh tasty hay and a few dandelion leaves too which he loved! Then I left him to get used to his new home.
Next day (Saturday) he seemed quite happy, he loves a snuggle and head rub. He's a very loving and gentle boy who adores attention. I weighed him and he was now 2lb 6.5oz, he'd put on 4.5oz in 24 hours! I expected quite a big increase as the first day it's usually the way. He was probably dehydrated as well.
Sunday we had another slight weight gain, he's now 2lb 7.5oz so another ounce put on which I'm really pleased about. He seemed a lot happier as well, even went in the very small run on the grass for 10 minutes. I don't want to put him in the bigger runs as his leg muscles aren't very good due to being kept inside a 2.5ft hutch for a year, his muscles are quite weak. With time these muscles will build up to be as they should be in a year old rabbit.
So far so good, I'm hoping he continues to improve. Caspers grandad was Alaska, my gorgeous blue eyed white boy who I had to have put to sleep earlier this year due to a serious illness. Makes it all the more special to have this lovely boy here now...
19.4.17 Casper has been here 6 days now, he's done so well and has put on a little weight each day. He's now up to 2lb 12oz, he's still very boney and his muscles are still very weak but he's getting a bit better slowly and steadily. It will take months before he's completely where he should be, no rush though.. he's heading in the right direction. His favorite treat is banana, he adores it! He's very partial to a bit of kale and dandelion leaves too. He's enjoying lots of cuddles and fuss, such a lovely boy he is.
20.4.17 Casper's put on a little more weight today, weighing in at 2lb 13.5oz He's doing so well. He's starting to feel a little less 'boney' now and his spine isn't sticking right up anymore. His muscle tone isn't too good, probably due to not spending enough time out of his hutch but it's nothing that time won't sort out.
23rd April. Casper has been here now for 9 days, he's gone from 2lb 2oz to 3lb 1oz - he's put on almost half of his original body weight. Only things in his life that have changed are food, water, love. They don't ask for much, just basic needs like proper food, water, time, affection. No living thing deserves to be treated how poor Casper was treated, neglected, starved and ignored. It makes me so mad to think of him sitting in that tiny hutch in his own filth waiting to die and I'm sure that if I had gone for him the next day it would've been too late. I'm so glad I saw the advert for him and could help him |