Bunny Abuse

Question
QUESTION: Dear Dana,
I came across a post last night from that boy who was hitting his rabbit. I have not stopped crying, and I was wondering if you have info on what happened to it.  If the kid still has it, I will pay him to give me the rabbit, and pick it up no matter where he lives. I have 3 bunnies from previously abusive owners who are beautiful and happy , and we would love to add a member to our family. Please help me to find this poor animal, I don't think that I can be OK with doing nohing when I know that this rabbit still has a chance. Much love to you, and all of the great work that you do!
Mishelle

ANSWER: Dear Mishelle,

If you are referring to one of the people who wrote to me on AllExperts, I remember that one well.  I am not really sure if it was for real, or if the person was just trolling me.  But as you could see, I did everything I could to get that sick, sick person to give up the bunny to someone who would properly care for it.

The person started to write to me at my personal email address, and it was always the same.  I finally reported him/her to Yahoo.com and asked if there was a way they could track down the address and notify the local animal cruelty law enforcement personnel.  They *said* they would, but I never heard again.

I finally told that person that I did not believe that s/he was actually doing the things s/he said, and to stop trolling me.  And the emails stopped after that.

So I suspect this was just some sick, bored prankster trying to have some fun.  I just hope they never actually lived out what they described.  If so, I hope they suffer the same fate at someone else's hands.  I'm not a violent person. I don't even believe in the death penalty.  But when I hear about someone harming a helpless animal, I become positively homicidal.

I wish I could tell you there was a happy ending...but I just don't know.

Thank you for caring.

Take care,

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dana, I need your help IMMEDIATELY! My vet that I have been using for years allowed 2 of my rabbits to die over the weekend. I have one more rabbit that I need to bring to a vet, but I do not know any that are rabbit experts in Miami. I know you are a resident down here. (I am actually in Hollywood). I need to take my other rabbit in tommorow to get her checked out. I am devistated, and I cannot lose my other bun. Please help me as fast as you can. PS. They died of flystrike, they spend a lot of time playing outside. I thought that this only happened to unkept rabbits, my rabbits were very very healthy. My vet put off seeing me saying that they would be fine for the weekend (despite my repeated calls), and they died within 30 hours. I have to get into a great vet ASAP! Thank you so much, Mishelle.

Answer
Dear Mishelle,

Are you in Hollywood, CA or Hollywood, FL?

For now, if they have fly strike, wash them completely in the affected areas with full-strength betadine solution.  This will bring larvae out of hiding.  But you will have to check them again and again to make sure escaped larvae don't come back and continue destruction.

If the skin is very bad, you may need to get some Tegaderm artificial skin bandages to help them heal.  If you are in Hollywood, FL, email me at dana@miami.edu

If not, check the list linked here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

to find a vet near Hollywood, CA.

Dana