Some rabbits come with an added health complexity to their care needs. These rabbits are no less deserving of love or a forever home, and they often make excellent companions for other special needs rabbits.
Faq's
What type of person can offer a SN rabbit a home?
Someone with lots of patience and love to give. These rabbits may need a more extensive a care routine and may not be able to be left for long periods of time. Someone with experience (or willing to learn) caring for sick or ill rabbits, be confident in medicating and regularly weighing them.
A good rabbit vet nearby on call is a must as these rabbits may need to see the vet more regularly than other rabbits.
What classes a rabbit as Special Needs?
These rabbits have additional care requirements. We do not class blind or deaf rabbits as having SN unless they have additional care needs (this is because most domestic rabbit breeds have partial sight/hearing and adapt as any normal rabbit).
Special needs can include:
Can SN rabbits be insured?
The simple answer, yes.
Can SN rabbits be bonded with 'normal' rabbits?
Absolutely. The SN itself must be taken into account as well as the severity and impact stress plays on the condition itself. The other rabbit/s they are being bonded to must be matched well and bonding must be done slower and more delicately.
Some SN rabbits deal better living in with a healthy group and others deal better with just one other SN rabbit, we assess each rabbit individually case by case.
If the condition is contagious or a risk to other healthy rabbits, we will not adopt this rabbit out to live in a household with healthy rabbits that do not also have the condition (for example Pasteurella).
These rabbits have additional care requirements. We do not class blind or deaf rabbits as having SN unless they have additional care needs (this is because most domestic rabbit breeds have partial sight/hearing and adapt as any normal rabbit).
Special needs can include:
- Extreme dietary/severe gut conditions such as Megacolon disease or having no teeth requiring liquid feeding
- Mobility issues - tripod buns, severe arthritis, lack of hind leg mobility, head tilt, splay legs
- Active EC with regular flare ups
- Ongoing ear / dental disease
- Chronic respiratory conditions such as Pasteurella/Bordatella
Can SN rabbits be insured?
The simple answer, yes.
Can SN rabbits be bonded with 'normal' rabbits?
Absolutely. The SN itself must be taken into account as well as the severity and impact stress plays on the condition itself. The other rabbit/s they are being bonded to must be matched well and bonding must be done slower and more delicately.
Some SN rabbits deal better living in with a healthy group and others deal better with just one other SN rabbit, we assess each rabbit individually case by case.
If the condition is contagious or a risk to other healthy rabbits, we will not adopt this rabbit out to live in a household with healthy rabbits that do not also have the condition (for example Pasteurella).
Biston
We are willing to keep Biston under our sanctuary if he can have a home with an experienced care giver and be bonded to live with their own rabbits. He would need to continue to be seen by our exotic vet practise in this case.
Male
Age 7
Mini Lop (very small)
Age 7
Mini Lop (very small)
Biston came to us in 2024 after the loss of his companion. Sadly when he was surrendered he was very poorly and has been undergoing many months of investigations and treatments to get him stable. His condition is chronic and will require ongoing special needs care (ending up palliative). As he is an EC rabbit he is not able to join our sanctuary group at the rescue so we are appealing for a loving home for him to live and have sanctuary.
As a patient to care for, we couldn't wish for a better little bun. He is such a little angel and appreciates what you do for him, it's hard to get much else done as he loves getting affection and being pampered. He has a very gentle nature and loves head rubs and will give you kisses when you scratch his bottom. He gets super excited when its "fresh bed" day and he will wiggle his bottom in delight when you put his freshly washed hop & flop bed in for him. He snoozes in his bolster bed all afternoon and is active in the mornings, racing through his tunnel and his little hide. He is much steadier on his feet now but does have arthritis in his hip which causes his leg to splay slightly, although this doesn't hold him back from moving around.
Biston is a lower hierarchal rabbit who strongly desires to make friends with all he meets. He doesn't have a bad bone in his body and doesn't want to be anyone's boss. He could live with another chronically ill rabbit but would really slot in so well as a bottom bun to live in a trio and would thrive even more in a special needs group of other senior/special rabbits. He doesn't like confrontation and never wants a fight, but he does love being groomed and snuggling up with companions.
As a patient to care for, we couldn't wish for a better little bun. He is such a little angel and appreciates what you do for him, it's hard to get much else done as he loves getting affection and being pampered. He has a very gentle nature and loves head rubs and will give you kisses when you scratch his bottom. He gets super excited when its "fresh bed" day and he will wiggle his bottom in delight when you put his freshly washed hop & flop bed in for him. He snoozes in his bolster bed all afternoon and is active in the mornings, racing through his tunnel and his little hide. He is much steadier on his feet now but does have arthritis in his hip which causes his leg to splay slightly, although this doesn't hold him back from moving around.
Biston is a lower hierarchal rabbit who strongly desires to make friends with all he meets. He doesn't have a bad bone in his body and doesn't want to be anyone's boss. He could live with another chronically ill rabbit but would really slot in so well as a bottom bun to live in a trio and would thrive even more in a special needs group of other senior/special rabbits. He doesn't like confrontation and never wants a fight, but he does love being groomed and snuggling up with companions.
Health conditions & care needs:
Biston has a plethora of health issues and we have adapted and evolved his treatment and care regime at every step to change with his needs. He is under constant review with our exotic veterinary team and things continue to change.
- EC - he is an EC rabbit however this is now managed and his head tilt has resolved after a full course of panacur. Will be likely to have flare ups due to being immunocompromised.
- Ear infection - currently still on an aggressive course of antibiotics and continually being reviewed
- Nystagmus - 80% resolved but will still be ongoing
- Cataracts in both eyes with very limited vision (still able to navigate new surroundings well and is very confident and happy to do so. He has good hearing and will lift his ears up and come to his name when you call him).
- Rolling eyelashes - requires eye gel to help reduce inflammation
- Splay leg and hip pain - requires long term pain management (currently on metacam, gabapentin & tramadol) and benefits from laser/acupuncture session
- Excess cecotrophy - typical mini lop "mucky bum" syndrome, he struggles to bend down so he gets a very specific diet and gets his bottom area trimmed short to help keep him clean. He is a very good hay eater but has a sensitive digestive system which can easily be thrown off with new environments/medication/diet changes.
Set up required:
He requires a SN adapted set up - a controlled area he can be well monitored and managed indoors. He currently has an 8x4ft penned area (no bars) with low entry litter tray, washable mats, a tunnel, small hideaway (he only goes inside) and his hop & flop bolster bed. There is nothing he can get trapped or hurt on but he does love grassy toys and forage stuffers so he gets lots of enrichment.
Environment:
Needs to be indoors, can live in a home with children, dogs etc as he is very confident and loves getting attention. He doesn't get scared of new people or noises and is usually nosy and wants involved!
Biston will need a very competent exotic vet to manage his ongoing needs and medication. His home will need to have experience with caring for rabbits with complex needs and medicating.
Biston will need a very competent exotic vet to manage his ongoing needs and medication. His home will need to have experience with caring for rabbits with complex needs and medicating.