All this bunny required was a little tender loving care and commitment. Instead, the rabbit’s previous owner almost killed him.
Despite all odds, he didn’t.
Rambo, an Angora rabbit, arrived at the New Hanover County Rabbit Rescue of Wilmington in North Carolina, where his owner dropped him off, in appalling condition. The Angora breed of rabbit in particular is known for its fast-growing, long silky fur, which means owning one is even more responsibility than the average rabbit.
“[Rambo’s] owner stated that they gave him up to me because it wasn’t getting along with the other rabbit,” Jennie Hoyt, president and founder of the rescue, told. “Once I got the rabbit home, I could tell that there was more to the story.”
Rambo was terribly emaciated and had matted fur to the point that he couldn’t move or discharge himself, resulting in rectal prolapse. In addition, his fur was matted with pee and excrement.
“Normally, rabbits die before they are starved as much as he was – thus it is truly a marvel he survived his experience,” Hoyt posted on Facebook, adding that Rambo was “days from death” when he arrived at the rescue.
“A few months prior to surrender, the owner had employed our [rescue’s] veterinarian to have him neutered,” Hoyt said. “I discussed it with the vet, and we concluded that the best course of action would be to utilize this as an instructional narrative rather than go after [the owner] personally… The most difficult breed to raise and care for is Angora [rabbits].”
Rambo was quickly given medical attention at the rescue. He was put on antibiotics and gradually regained not only his weight but his health. He was also shaved down. Sadly, since his fur was so matted, he experienced unavoidable cuts to his body during the process.
In his shaved-down state, Rambo was given tiny sweaters to keep warm.
Rambo had horrible litter box habits when he initially came, according to Hoyt, but has now been rehabilitated to become a cleaner and neater companion.
Rambo is now a completely new bunny, considerably happy, and on the lookout for a permanent home where he won’t be ignored again.
0 Comments