This is Billy, our Easter Bunny…
In an Eastery mood I’d taken my smallest child to a local wildlife centre to cuddle chicks in the hatchery and we were smitten with this fella. He loved company so on a friend’s advice we introduced him to the spaniels. Initially worried about this combination, we were quickly reassured by his dominance of them both, chasing them from his food and claiming their bed.
Worried he thought he was a dog, the following summer we consulted the vet for the best combination of friends and got him two little boys to hang out with. At least they were supposed to be boys!
After their check-up visit to the vet, it was decided the best thing to do would be to spay the girls since Billy was considered quite old at 18 months for neutering and it is supposed to improve the health of females. As a mother myself, I felt awful taking them to the vets for the operation, but we did so as early as we could. Our vet is also trained in homeopathy amongst other specialities. After the operation, she discussed how I could use remedies such as Arnica and Calendula which I frequently use in my own practice as a homeopath for people who have had operations or injuries. I find they speed up healing and prevent infection.
The vet also gave me painkillers and antibiotics along with an energy paste to slip into their mouths to keep their stomachs moving. Rabbits are like cows and sheep and have to eat constantly to keep the juices in their stomach in the right balance. Gut stasis is a common, potentially life-threatening condition affecting rabbits. According to Vets Now:
“It occurs when the normal, regular, wave-like movements of the intestines either slow down or stop altogether. Bad bacteria can then build up within the gastrointestinal tract resulting in bloating. This makes the bunny more reluctant to eat and drink which, in turn, causes their condition to worsen. Affected rabbits quickly become dehydrated and starved of essential nutrients. As the condition progresses, food or faecal material within the intestines starts to dry out becoming firm and very difficult to pass. This can lead to an obstruction.”
That evening, hours after their operation, my two still hadn’t eaten and were refusing to let me inject the energy paste into their mouths. They were not their cheeky little selves at all and seemed to be cross with me. I decided to give them both Staphysagria, a remedy which I hoped would address the shock they seemed to be in after their operation. Thistle perked up immediately and started to eat the garden salad I had prepared for them. She hopped about sniffing at her surroundings and quickly seemed her old curious self again.
Clover on the other hand sat looking miserable and sore in the corner, refusing the orally injected food and water. The Staphysagria had made no difference and I was very worried about her because it had been 12 hours since she last ate or drank.
Sadly, in the week when we had introduced them to Billy, before it was clear they weren’t boys and believing them far too young to be able to reproduce in any case, Billy had managed to impregnate them both and the babies had been removed along with their reproductive organs.
Rabbits have such a gargantuan reputation for reproduction you can’t imagine they can love their offspring like we do, but as I sat quietly with Clover that night I wondered if she was grieving. I often prescribe Ignatia for grief in my human practice and there’s an almost visible heaviness and sadness which sits on people needing that remedy. I gave her a pill and was amazed, seconds later, to see her hop across to her salad and start tucking in.
It’s six months later, Easter again and they’ve moved outside to their summer residence.
What I know now about bunnies is that, like my children, they need regular diversions.
They love a new cardboard box to play with, they escape constantly, but never run away.
When they are happy they jump for joy, hopping, chasing and skipping about the garden and in the middle of trying to catch them they frequently stop to wash their ears so nonchalantly you know they’re taking the mickey out of us!
Article written by Caroline Greene, a CAM4animals supporter and Homeopath
Useful links
A bunny is for life like Clover and Billy ~ not just for Easter. Please think carefully before buying a rabbit. Rabbit expert and bunny bonder Fiona Murphy has written a great blog 10 Things to Consider Before Getting a Bunny to help you make that decision.
More details about homeopathic remedies and how to find a vet can be found from
The British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons
More information about rabbit care and welfare can also be found from the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund
Disclaimer – Where blogs have been created by a guest author, CAM4Animals has reproduced this in good faith but cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies of information in it or any use you make of this information.
The veterinary Surgeon’s Act 1966 restricts the treatment of animals (usually other than your own*) by anyone other than a qualified vet. Always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are concerned about your animal’s health. *For full details visit the RCVS website