June 2004: It has already been five years since this article had been written. Casper started a "rabbitomania" in our house as we have presently six house rabbits. When we got Casper we were inexperienced and did not realise how serious his refusal of food was until it was too late. Rabbits need to eat constantly and should really start eating within the first hour or so. A rabbit that does not eat for more than 12 hours could be in serious trouble. Most of ours started eating straight away when we got them. As we are much more experienced now than we were then, we do not always go straight to the vet anymore as we would notice a problem ourselves quickly. However all our rabbits see the vet within days normally to have their vaccinations done. Knowing about how difficult rabbits are to look after, how much time and money they consume and how many end up in rescue centres (if they are lucky - neglected or released if they are unlucky), I do not recommend anymore to buy rabbits (or any other pets for that matter) from pet shops. There are so many looking for new homes - around 30,000 a year - in rescue centres, that we all should consider adopting one of those rather than support pet shops and breeders that sell to pet shops. Note: This article is not copyrighted, but please inform the author if it is used for further publication. |
CASPER The little white rabbit |
In January 1999, my husband and I went to our usual pet shop to get food for our two cockatiels. We always enjoyed browsing around and looking at the animals. We did the same on that Saturday. When we looked at the rabbits, we discovered this most beautiful white rabbit with deep blue eyes and lop ears. It looked truly stunning. However, we did not really want another animal at the time and we certainly did not want to buy one on impulse. Apart from that, I knew that my husband would never agree to having an indoor rabbit! So we left the shop and went home with only the bird food in our shopping bag. I just could not stop myself from thinking about this lovely white ball of fur. I kept seeing it right in front of me looking at me with those big blue eyes. Throughout the evening I kept mentioning it and continued on Sunday morning. I was not trying to convince my husband - I knew he would never agree - I just expressed my feelings. Out of the blue, my husband suddenly asked me whether I wanted to have that rabbit. I did not believe what I just heard. We discussed it and I agreed overjoyed. We rushed through breakfast and getting ready and off we went hoping the bunny would still be there. And it was! We bought all the necessary bits and pieces and were the proud new owners of a bunny. It did not take us long to find a name: CASPER - after the little white ghost with the blue eyes. We settled Casper in his cage with bedding, food and water. He did not look terribly interested in things - we put it down to the stress of being moved around. He did not touch his food, only drank a little water. When he did not eat anything the next day either we got concerned. We booked him in for a vets appointment the next morning. Before taking him there, I phoned the pet shop to inform them, that Casper needed veterinary treatment straight away. I was first told that rabbits never eat in the first 48 hours until they settle... (they could not have been more wrong about rabbit care; rabbits need food in their intestines all the time)! I was then asked to bring him in and they would attend to it. I refused - I had this feeling that he would just be left alone somewhere without the veterinary attention that he so urgently needed. After talking to about three people on the phone, it was finally agree that they would carry the cost for my own vet. I would not have accepted anything else. Our vet diagnosed a very serious condition which basically meant that Casper's digestive system was not working at all. The intestines were not moving anymore. Casper was given injections and oral medicine as well as pineapple juice in a desperate attempt to save him. But it was too late, he did not make it through the night. The vet stated that Casper was very thin which indicated that he had been ill for some time. Because it was our very first rabbit and we had no experience whatsoever, we did not recognise the serious condition straight away. We were refunded the cost of the vet and of the animal itself. Of course this was no consolation in any way - but we would not let the pet shop make any profit out of this. That is why we accepted the money. After this very distressing experience I did not want to get another rabbit straight away. My husband however thought it would be best to look for another one as quickly as possible to help me get over it. He found one in another pet shop that was recommended to him by a friend. He reserved the baby rabbit for me to have a look at him. He was honey brown with lop ears and a lovely, mischievous face. Nevertheless I watned to wait a while. It was too soon after Casper. We kept him reserved for another few days to give me time for a decision - which the pet shop did not mind doing - even knowing that we may end up not buying him. They were most helpful indeed. Casper however had already infected me with the "bunny bug" and after over a week we finally went ahead and brought Benji home. He started eating within the first five minutes without problems. Nevertheless we brought him to the vet for a check up right the next day, just to be on the safe side. He was perfectly healthy (and still is after one year). He's turned out to be the most wonderful animal one could imagine. He loves cuddles, he is so gentle and has a fantastic character all around. Although he cannot replace Casper (and we never wanted him to), he certainly is a great honour to him! In June we bough another rabbit to keep Benji company while we are at work. Pippa is a black Dwarf Lop. We brough her to the vet first thing as well and she got a clear health bill too. Benji and Pippa absolutely adore each other. (nothing to worry about: Benji is neutered) without leaving my husband and me out. Well, everyone that was willing to listen has heard my story throughout the last yeas, and I will continue telling it. I just would like to repeat the well known advice when buying a new pet: * Check the animal out, take if possible an experienced pet owner with you * Ask questions and only buy if you are satisfied with the answers * Ask the seller where the animals come from and what age they are. If they do not know, leave without the pet (except of course rescue animals where these things are often not known) * Try to get as much information about the species as possible - BEFORE buying it! * Take a new pet straight to the vet for a check-up, vaccinations (if old enough) and to register it (it is not a goodidea to have to go through Yellow Pages when you have an emergency on your hands... think ahead.) These tips are no guarantee, but they can help avoiding a lot of heartache for you and your new pet. And if only one animal is saved by listening to my story and remembering it next time round, Casper' death may not have been completely pointless after all! London, April 2000 |
Pippa and Benji |
June 2004: It has already been five years since this article had been written. Casper started a "rabbitomania" in our house as we have presently six house rabbits. When we got Casper we were inexperienced and did not realise how serious his refusal of food was until it was too late. Rabbits need to eat constantly and should really start eating within the first hour or so. A rabbit that does not eat for more than 12 hours could be in serious trouble. Most of ours started eating straight away when we got them. As we are much more experienced now than we were then, we do not always go straight to the vet anymore as we would notice a problem ourselves quickly. However all our rabbits see the vet within days normally to have their vaccinations done. Knowing about how difficult rabbits are to look after, how much time and money they consume and how many end up in rescue centres (if they are lucky - neglected or released if they are unlucky), I do not recommend anymore to buy rabbits (or any other pets for that matter) from pet shops. There are so many looking for new homes - around 30,000 a year - in rescue centres, that we all should consider adopting one of those rather than support pet shops and breeders that sell to pet shops. Note: This article is not copyrighted, but please inform the author if it is used for further publication. |
