Special Needs Rabbits

San Diego HRS is a bit different from many rabbit rescue groups in that we take in rabbits considered “special needs.”  In the past these rabbits would have been euthanized by the shelters for medical/health reasons.  Today, we have more care options for these bunnies and thanks to our supporters, San Diego HRS is able to save more lives by helping rabbits who are considered ‘special needs.’ 

In the past two years we’ve taken in quite a few special needs rabbits and currently are caring for some we though you would enjoy getting to know.  Some of these bunnies are adoptable and some have been made “sanctuary” and will be cared for in foster homes the remainder of their lives.

Donate to Poppy's Fund to support our Special Needs rabbits.

Thank you for your support!

STAR

This pretty Rex girl is our most recent special needs bunny we have helped.  She is being fostered for the North County Humane Society in Oceanside. 

Star came into the shelter as a stray and it was immediately apparent that she had a severely infected left eye.  The eye had been punctured and was full of pus and draining. A really frightening sight.

HRS had Star examined by an eye specialist who confirmed that her eye needed to be removed. He placed her on antibiotics to allow the infection to die down prior to surgery.  Several days later, she went into surgery with one of our contracted vets.  She is still recovering and should be healed in about two weeks time. 

Once Star has recovered she'll be spayed and placed up for adoption.  She's a darling girl and should make a wonderful family companion.

If you'd like to know more about Star contact hrs@sandiegorabbits.org.

Sammy & Molly

These little cuties came to SDHRS from the County Dept. of Animals Services’ Bonita shelter.  Sammy arrived as an owner-relinquishment, brought in for euthanasia because his leg was badly broken.  A volunteer was dispatched to go check on him and he was immediately taken to see one of our vets where his leg was splinted.

Little Molly arrived at the Bonita shelter a week later.  She was wobbly and not fully using her back legs.  Off to the vet she went, for x-rays and an exam.  It was determined she did not have a fracture, so she was put on cage rest under the care of an HRS volunteer.  Both she and Sammy were transferred into HRS foster care as it was clear they could not return to the shelter, but both did seem to have a good chance for full recovery.

As his case progressed, Sammy’s leg was surgically pinned but after several weeks it was clear that it was not healing as expected.  It was finally amputated and he now gets around just fine.  Molly’s “cage rest” did the trick and she was back to her active self, happily running around and enjoying the Cottontail Cottage. 

Today, both bunnies are healthy, happy, and doing very well.  Even though they are listed as “special needs,” they really are very easy care.  Sammy does so well that he zooms up and down the Cottontail Cottage.  You might not even notice he’s missing a leg.  Molly’s back has healed completely and she no longer has any problems.

** ADOPTED **  See our Happy Adoption photo!

PEPPER

This pretty girl came from the South shelter in Bonita where she was returned by her adoptive family.  They came home one day to find her on her back and unable to get up again.  Even though she could walk a bit, she eventually lost use of her back legs.  SDHRS took her in to get her checked out by one of our vets and to care for her in the hopes she would recover and be able to go to a new adoptive family.

Pepper was examined through x-rays, blood work and physical exams and not much was ever found. Her back was not broken but she clearly was in quite a bit of pain in her lower spine.  We took her for acupuncture treatment, which helped to reduce some of the pain but she still did not get back up onto her legs.

The next step in Pepper's care was Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM)* where she received a series of treatments for a subluxation in her spine at the L7 vertebrae.  She definitely has reduced pain and has good feeling in her legs, but she still has not gotten back up on her legs.  * Pepper still receives periodic VOM treatments.

Our next step is to try Pepper in a "bunny cart" where she can use her front legs to move about while her torso and back legs are supported by wheels.  In the meantime, she is being cared for in a foster home where she is housed on fleece and absorbent towels to prevent urine scald. She gets moved around her living area a few times a day so we can clean up her droppings and move her from side to side. A bottom-washing a couple times a week keeps her fur clean.

Despite her physical issues, Pepper is a super social and happy girl.  She loves being the center of attention where she get lots of petting and cheek rubs.  She's very interested in what's going on around her and doesn't let her disability bother her at all.

Pepper is available for adoption to a home that can properly care for her and provide ongoing veterinary appointments as needed.  She's a sweet girl who will make a great family companion despite the additional care she requires.  Until she finds that home, she'll be loved in a foster home and given the care she needs.  If you'd like to learn more about Pepper, please contact hrs@sandiegorabbits.org.

WILLOW

In May 2009 we got a call from the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility that they’d gotten in a rabbit who had been abandoned in an apartment.  Someone found her and brought her in. The bottoms of her feet were covered in abscesses and scabs, with abscesses on the sides of her legs and nearly every toe.  She was in pain and could not stand on all four feet for any length of time.  Additionally, she had sores on her butt, most the fur was gone from her bottom, legs and tail, and she had “bite” wounds on her tail that looked as if she had made them herself; probably chewing at itching mites or sores that pained her.

We had her seen by one of our vets who reported that she was emaciated, urine stained and had severe ear mites, but he didn’t find anything life-threatening at that time. We decided that the bunny needed foster care and arranged for her to be transported to our adoption center in Kearny Mesa, where she would be picked up by her new foster parents.  

It’s been a long healing process but today Willow is nearly one hundred percent better.  Her feet have almost completely healed, and toes we thought she might lose have actually healed and will not need to be removed.  Her fur has grown in and she’s shed most of the old yellow, brittle fur that remained when we got her. 

The best change we’ve seen is her energy level, ability to put her full weight on all feet, and her sunny outlook.  Without the support Willow received from San Diego HRS, the shelter would likely have had to euthanize her.  Through medical attention and lots of TLC, she’s now a healthy and happy bunny girl.

 Update 8/21/09:  Willow is being adopted by her foster parents, Tom & Mary Ann

Dandelion

This young Mini Rex girl came from the North County Humane Society in Oceanside.  She was relinquished to the shelter with a compound fracture of her right front leg.  Clearly in pain, she was placed into medical hold while the shelter figured out how badly she was injured.  HRS was contacted and we made arrangements for her to be taken to be examined by one of our vets.

The vet recommended removal of the leg and HRS agreed, so she was booked for surgery the following week.  She recovered well and was active within a couple days after her surgery.  Now, she zooms around like nothing happened.  She can run, climb, wash her face and lives the life of a “normal” bunny.

Currently, Dandelion is “dating” one of her foster home neighbors, Bravo.  Foster mom, Tina Martinez, is hoping to bond these bunnies as her family has fallen in love with them both and the bunnies are so happy in their current home.  Hopefully we’ll be posting a “happy adoption story” about Bravo and Dandelion in near future.

Dandelion's status is "adoption pending" while we see if she'll bond to Bravo.

Barbie

Pretty bun girl, Barbie, was brought into the County’s “south” shelter in Bonita with a badly broken leg and a bad case of ear mites. It also appeared that she’s been “roughed up” by other rabbits. She has torn ears and a few scars to show for it.

Barbie was treated for her ear mites and given a thorough health check before being evaluated for surgery of the leg.   Once ready, she was taken into surgery where her leg was pinned.  She recovered well and the leg healed, though it does not look completely normal and will sometimes stick out to the side. 

Barbie is super sweet and active, and even loves to play in a Cottontail Cottage.  If the opening is big enough, she can climb around with her bad leg.  She’s a beautiful girl with the most striking blue eyes; they will really charm you!

Barbie is currently in foster care and available for adoption.  She’s an easy keeper and would enjoy becoming someone’s pampered bunny companion.

** ADOPTED ** See my Happy Adoption photo!