Please note-I am Not a vet-below is what I do as a rescue person, please consult a veterinarian for advice on any medical issues you have. Thank you!

Greetings Friends! Any of us who spend any amount of time caring for rabbits know that they have a complicated digestive tract. As such, they can go into stasis pretty quickly.  I have gotten my treatment regimen down pat-first offer fresh blackberry branches, if refused give a dose of metacam, a dose of simenthicone and warm them up, then wait a bit, give pedialyte, wait, then give critical care, wait, then regalen. Then offer the blackberry again with hay.  At this point they usually start to nibble. This weekend however, my little gal Blanche, who you see in the photo was so sick, she was at that point where she wasn't swallowing anymore when I tried to give her the critical care. I honestly thought, well, she's done for. Once the swallow reflex is gone, I don't think they can come back from that, Well, guess what? I was wrong! I did continue to keep her warm and had already gotten the meds into her so, I was thankful for that piece, but man, she was going downhill really fast. I thought well, lets keep her comfy and let her go. So, here she is on my lap under the heating pad about 20 minutes later and her head pops up. She wants to get down!? Okay, as she slides off my lap onto the living room floor she starts exploring and nibbling on the treats I have dropped. She actually comes over asking for more-Wow, this couldn't be better-so for the next few I hand feed her these hand made treats that I make out of oats, powdered pellets, herbs and pureed fruit. After a while I transitioned her to some real food and she is back to normal. That night I had her stay in the laundry room play area so I could keep a closer eye on her, half expecting another backslide, but nope-as I peek in on her in the morning she is standing on her tiptoes all bright eyed waiting for breakfast. 

I am so happy she made it, and so surprised as she was so far gone, once they lose the ability to swallow, wow, that is far gone. My miracle girl-she is so sweet! Not really sure what brought this on with her, she does have some issues within her family tree with health-hoping she doesn't make this a "thing."

I have to mention this whole event happened after I thought to myself, gee, I haven't had a bun is stasis in ages-lesson to be learned-don't even think it!

Also, a friend of mine always asks me if I take my buns temp. I do not, never have. Same with my child. Here is why, that number doesn't change  my treatment plan. So, why waste my time. I can tell by the way the bun acts if they aren't well, feel the ears, if they are cold-they are shutting down, warm, likely a fever. So, treat accordingly. What that number reads means nothing to me. So, that is just my thing, others need that number. If you have a hard time knowing when your bun is sick, take the temp. But, knowing a rabbits behavior is the number one indicator as to how they are feeling. 

Okay, thanks for tuning in. If you are in the Portland Oregon area this Sunday March 15th feel free to stop in to see me from 3:30-5:30 at the Courtyard at Mt Tabor we will be talking about herbs and rabbits.

For those in Vancouver same time/date visit SW Washington HS Rabbit Advocates will be meeting and they will welcome you.

All my best,
Erin

Greetings Ya'all!

Being a super small non profit organization, my volunteer needs are a bit different than a mid size or larger. However, the needs of the volunteers are the same. Whether you are a rabbit rescue, a dog rescue a children's charity or any other type of non profit. We are all asking our volunteers to give us their time, effort and expertise and give it to us for free-we aren't paying them. So, what are we going to give them? Hopefully this is a question that has been mulled over in your organization, if not, it really should be. 

One thing I try to do for my volunteers as I meet them is to ask them what their long and short term goals are in regard to volunteering. What do they wish to get out of this experience? Some may wish to get work experience and references, this is totally doable, while another may someday wish to open their own rescue, again, this is something I can help with. Still others have many varied other reasons for being here and I want to make sure they are getting their needs met as a way to make sure my rescue continues to get it's needs met. This is the currency in which I deal. The best part of doing things this way, if done well is, these volunteers will be less likely to feel like I am using them as I am working to create a symbiosis. 

If managed incorrectly volunteers can begin to feel used and disillusioned with an organization and this is not what anyone wants. I have heard it said that people will stay because they are tied to the mission, if they feel strongly enough they will continue. While some may stay, most will move on as no one likes to feel used. To me, this is a pretty flimsy way to try and hold onto volunteers. Just my opinion. 

Another thing to keep in mind is, volunteering in a small non profit is not a growth industry. It isn't like you can get a pay raise, move up any ladder. Really, you can do some projects, get on the board and that is where you cap out. Once that has been done there isn't really much further you can go. So, again, it is up to us to help motivate our volunteers by helping them achieve things they are working on. Now, to be fair, I realize there are boards out there that are powerful and pay members-these are not what I am talking about…I am talking about the kind most of us are running -the ones with no money and barely any help. So, yes, being tied to the mission is an important piece but it isn't the only piece. It takes many things to keep everyone happy and they aren't the same for everyone, at least in my experience. Again, and as always, I would be interested in your feedback. Thank you!

Erin

Update 2/27/2015-this contest is now closed due to lack of interest. No one entered. I will try again next month. I offer a wide range of critter related products that I sell in my etsy store and at markets in the Portland area that I will be offering up as prizes for these contests. Please keep your eyes out for the next one-from the looks of it, the odds are good. 

Thank you!
Erin

Greeting Rescue Folks and Critter Community,

I was thinking about all the phrases I utter throughout my week and thought it would be fun to share them and ask you guys to share some of yours as well and...to make things even more fun, lets make it a contest...one person will win one of my home baked bunny treats, small critters like them too :O) 

Okay, so, I can be heard saying the following, "crap, I need litter!" or, ""I am out of litter" also, "who peed here!" and "I love your face!" and "You are why I can't have nice things!"

Now, to enter the contest:
First comment below sharing a phase you utter-I so want to hear!
Next, share my blog on Facebook(please and thank you)
Then, "like" me on Facebook www.facebook.com/zenrabbitrescue

I am so excited to see your comments! Thanks!
Erin

PS. The treats below are available for purchase at my etsy store. I have been selling them for 2 years and have several loyal repeat customers whose buns demand these. They are made from oats, timothy pellets, and either pumpkin, apple/mango, or apple/banana or seasonally apple/rose/lavender. 

https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/zenrabbitrescue/reviews?ref=shop_info

1. Link to rabbit heimlich demonstration
2. _http://www.bunspace.com/groups/topic?tid=9871

Greetings Friends! 

I apologize for not posting as often as I had liked to, my computer is on its last legs. Honestly, I need a replacement but don't have the means right now, so, will have to make due. Even through constant system shut downs as I work, ack!

Anyway, on to the topic, choking. It happens more often than many think. There is a distinct sound that rabbits make when choking, sounds like a cross between a cough and a sneeze.  It is a cute sound, but, can be dangerous.  Usually the rabbit clears the obstruction itself and goes on to business as usual.  Other times however, intervention is needed and that is when you need to know how to help. I am including a link that has photos of the rabbit Heimlich maneuver. I have used a modified version of this as well as physically reaching into the mouth and pulling the food out.

I have a couple chronic chokers here, one is due to his eating habits, he doesn't chew his pellets one at a time, rather he fills his mouth with as many as he can, then he tries to chew  it is no surprise he chokes. I try to make this harder, all my rabbits are fed in the "scatter method" whereby I throw pellets willy nilly and the rabbits must forage to find them. No food bowls allowed. Foraging is a natural behavior and is good for the mind...in my opinion. Anyway, my one kid finds a way to choke himself even with the scatter method. It may come down to him only getting three pieces at a time, but, anyway. Another issue some people have had issue with is long grass hay and teeth...sometimes the hay catches on the teeth and is just wound around them gagging the poor kids. If your bun has malocclusion, keep an eye on this, cut the long hay, give s super course hay, and just make sure it is not choking them.

Oh, and when they are choking, they op panic, of course and try to run away from the problem...remain calm, a calm firm "parent" demeanor is required to handle the situation, you can be calm. After the crisis is over, you might consider a vet visit. I am not a vet, merely a person sharing experience. I welcome you sharing your experiences as well. Thank you for reading.

All my Best,
Erin
 

Howdy bun friends! 

At the risk of being controversial, I want to discuss what I call the "over-vetting" of our house rabbits. Clearly, I am not a veterinarian and I do not argue against getting vet care for pets in need of treatment...please take this post in context, I do have a wonderful vet myself. What I am saying is, I see folks running their rabbits to the vet at the first sign of an issue being given caustic medicines that are so hard on the digestive system and then causing further harm and needing yet more treatment. It is a vicious cycle. My mom took in a foster rabbit in just such a situation. She had e. cuniculi, like so many other rabbits. The vet she had seen had her on 3-4 different meds and her poops were just awful. My mom took her off every last one. Granted this bunny was a compromised little gal, but rather than tear her down with pharmaceuticals my mom worked to build her up with herbals. So, her last year of life she was pooping much better and alert and eating regularly. This can't be every case, there are absolute times when meds are a necessity-I am a staunch supporter of pain management for instance, but, you don't need to medicate every issue your bun has.  I have a rule at my house-we medicate bacterial infections only, virals we treat the immune system with herbs to help support and we treat the environment to keep things from growing. We also treat the spirit. Spirits up, they are more apt to fight. 

It is that urge to run to the vet and follow whatever they say that is my pet peeve. Ultimately our pets care is our responsibility and we (as pet parents) should be a partner in care with the vets, not hoist the responsibility on them and, to be honest, not all vets are created equal. You absolutely Must stop, look, listen and use your intuition. If it doesn't feel right-walk out. You are Not required to get care. Don't be bullied-you are the consumer.  I am so lucky to have the quality caregivers I have for my pets. I do 100% trust them, but, I still research stuff and offer what I can depending upon the situation. Granted it isn't always possible. I had a rabbit with an eye issue and I had nothing to add, I had no idea what it was...turned out to be a rare genetic thing. 

In our house when a bun seems a little under the weather my very first course of action is to go outside and cut some blackberry branches to offer. This enticement alone has kick-started a rabbits appetite. My other favorite is lavender essential oil-anytime I wish to calm, keep infection from taking hold or starting I drip a few drops on a cloth and put it down for them to access. I had a rabbit choke (I will post on this topic soon) and was afraid of the potential for pneumonia so I made sure there was a lavender diffuser  close by. Manuka Honey is my favorite wound care! This stuff is magic and should be in all emergency kits! I had a self mutilating bunny (she ate her foot to the bone 3 toes gone!) and this stuff saved her foot from infection! I will say I was in constant contact with my vet over the course of my care for this situation. I credit it with her not losing her life to a blood or bone infection. I also use chamomile as an eye treatment.  There are so many more, these are my most used. 

There are a few sites I go to that have a great list of herbs and the uses for rabbits. I will post them under "links" on the main website. One thing, the sites are breeder sites. just move past it, the information is solid and has really been helpful to me at odd hours with an uncomfortable bun...I was able to alleviate the discomfort. 

Again, I welcome your input. Not everyone will agree with my methods, that is okay.  I will try and put a link button here with the websites I mentioned.

All my best!
Erin
 

Greetings! For those that don’t know me, I run the daily operations of Zen Rabbit as well as the admin duties, the special events, fundraising and well, basically most things. I also live here at the rescue. I am allowed out once in a while for good behavior. In my off time I enjoy crafting, going to estate sales, thrift shops, gambling, vintage fashion, gardening, tv, online shopping and home décor and fantasizing about winning obscene amounts of money, couponing and stockpiling and preparing for major disasters. That last bit is really what I would like to talk about.  I don’t know how many of you reading this also have multiple pets like I have. Just so we are on the same page I have 38 critters here and I often think about what I would do in an emergency in regard to them. I do have a “bug out” bag-but I am not fully prepared. I wish to discuss preparations, ideas and what I am working on. Yes, I am a nut, I have to be to live this way in the first place right? I am always thinking about safety with this many to worry about.

So, to start I think, what if I just have to get everyone outside-but on the property? I have a bank of hutches on my patio. I also have stacks of carriers ready to go. At this point, there are not enough carriers as there are critters to go in them, so, in a pinch, doubling up, totes and milk crates can be used-we are talking about major disasters not going out for a fun afternoon.  Think about your own situation? Can you get everyone out? Do you have enough crates? If not you might want to start thinking about a plan.

My bug out bag includes 4 days’ worth of food for every species, a med kit, tie down stakes and extra leashes for the dogs, disposable pee pads for the rabbits and cats since they would be stuck in carriers. Wipes-cleansing and diaper, nozzles for water bottles and a 24 pack of water-water purifying tablets, a playpen, a tarp, a 10 x 10 tent, bungee cords, blankets and a couple granola bars for me.

I am working on getting a few more things when I can afford it. The other important thing I always try to do is keep all waters full in the event there was an emergency in the home, I could take the water bottles away and ration until water was readily available again. We have had water mains break unexpectedly causing us to be without water for a day. 

I also keep 2 hand crank flash lights so I have light in dark places. Fingers crossed I never need to evacuate 38 critters in a ’97 Honda CRV.  We are better equipped to stay put, even then…ack!

As my emergency kit grows, I would like to share it here…I will try and post photos of it as well.

I welcome your comments; tell me what you have in your “bug out” bag. Thoughts, questions.

All My Best!

Erin