Thursday, November 29, 2012

Is Butterscotch Bunny Deaf?

Butterscotch Bunny has been in my thoughts and under my observation lately. I'm not quite sure what to think.  He and his sweetheart Jamie, a rescued Harlequin, are always cuddling and grooming. The thing is he seems to just be uninterested in other things. He lies there a lot and doesn't seem responsive to us, unlike when before he was neutered, he was overly attentive to us because his hormones seemed to surge even more than other unneutered male rabbits (like in the Buzzing Bunny video below).  I had been thinking that perhaps he was depressed or that perhaps he was too demanding of Jamie because she is extremely affectionate making Butterscotch become spoiled. But that just doesn't seem to be it.


I watched more and more.  Butterscotch seems like he might be deaf. He doesn't respond to his name or other things that seem to influence other bunnies to respond. What I think happens is that he responds to Jamie's cues. When she responds to us, he responds to her! He seems to be dependent on her.

I've been doing some "tests" of my own to see how responsive he is to noises and things that startle bunnies. I look to see if he responds on his own or if he responds to Jamie. They are inseparable, which I am glad of, especially if he is deaf. I have been blowing loud whistles, clapping my hands loud, shaking the large metal cup (with some pellets in it) that we use to give them pellets, crinkling the bag of hay- noises the bunnies respond to before they can smell the pellets and hay.  They only respond to veggie smells, so there aren't any noises from their veggies or greens that he would respond to that I know of.

I'm going to observe him more.  Butterscotch is a sweet rabbit in his own independent way and I want him to have a full life.  I am so happy he has Jamie, but if he is deaf, I want to learn how to make his life more fulfilling. What is good is that he has Jamie to help be his ears for now or while they are together, which I hope and pray is a long time!

Does anyone out there have a deaf bunny or one that is hard of hearing? Please let me know. Please share here in the comments. As I learn more, I will share it here. Anything you can share would not only be helpful to Butterscotch, but anyone else who reads these who might be dealing with something similar.

Thanks for stopping by and hopefully sharing! Would truly love to hear what you think or if you care to share any experiences!


Please stop by the Bunny Burrow Boutique on Etsy. There are rabbit-themed jewelry items, but it's not limited to that! There are nature and animal themed items and just some nice pieces that would appeal to anyone. Please also "like" us on Facebook. By the way, there is free shipping for USA and Canadian purchases  also.  Thanks for stopping by today.




Rabbit Slippers has a new e-mail address rabbitslippersblog@gmail.com if you want to e-mail any ideas, suggestions, comments, concerns or share anything. 



Please follow Rabbit Slippers Blog on Twitter, too, @RabbitSlipprs . 

Please "like" Rabbit Slippers Blog on Face Book to keep up with the latest postings & events.


You can also sign up by e-mail notices at the top right of the page. (Your privacy is important to Rabbit Slippers).


You can also follow through Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs, both located in the right side bar.



Check out the new Etsy shop "Bunny Burrow Boutique" with handmade rabbit-themed and other jewelry, art and the occasional vintage item! Here are the links: Etsy Bunny Burrow Boutique  Please also "like" the Bunny Burrow Boutique Facebook page too! Some of the Bunny Burrow Boutiquemoney also goes to rabbit rescues and non-profit organizations! Thanks for checking us out.


Please visit the Rabbit Hop Shop at the following link (Rabbit Hop Shoppe link) for rabbit themed items and gifts!  Please also "like" the Rabbit Hop Shoppe Facebook page. Thanks!




3 comments:

  1. if he is deaf he will need lots of hands on attention and concentrate on visual stimulation,but I have found that lops quite often are a bit slower on their hearing I think it is due to the shape of their ears,good luck,I think thats all you can do
















    ReplyDelete
  2. Love you Speedy Rabbit. I think you are right on the visual stimulation. And of course they smell things better than many creatures! I think you may be right about the lops. I'll continue to keep an eye on him and update this. Thanks for commenting! I'll find ways to work with him. : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It will be nice to know how he's doing,Bunnies always amaze me on how well they adapt like with Speedy he's blind in one eye because of a genetic form of Glaucoma and my first bunny was a lop and he couldn't hear very well but they never let it keep them down

      Delete