Good News

Anwen, my American Sable doe, took a dive health-wise, but a vet trip has cemented my knowledge of what happened. She came to be matted and with absurdly long claws (the owner claimed she had single color claws, but in fact has dark horn and white claws; a DQ), but also pregnant. The cage she came in was small and not made with proper cage wire, therefore she was in a solid bottomed dog crate for about a week until a better cage arrived. She gave birth in the proper cage, but she remained stressed and fearful for days after that. It took us two weeks to be able to handle her without harming her, which led to her getting mats cut out and claws trimmed. She had a box, but used it as a litter box; same with her resting board. Because of former infection, she got an abscess on her ear and sore hocks. Treatment of Neosporin and bandages was fairly useless and even a slotted mat didn't seem to help. Luckily, our vet gave us some ointment that seems to be clearing up her socks and ear quickly. She's inside on towels recuperating and is back to playing and eating properly. Her eyes seem brighter and her coat seems better and is shedding out. It saddens me to see the dark, scar-like blemishes on her skin, the signs of her former infection which means she once had sores all over, which breaks my heart. All in all, it was a learning experience and a reminder rabbits are oh so fragile.

In the least, she has begun to trust me, letting me pet her face and back without jerking away or grunting now; she even calmed when she got her treatment at the vet when I helped hold her. She likes the sides of her muzzle and head to be petted especially. She's been snacking on green beans and dehydrated cucumber today and lazing about. Brought in my other doe for a play date, which Anwen wasn't too keen on, as Primrose kept running circles around her, but seemed to like sniffing the newbie. I have learned Anwen enjoys dogs more, as she made fast friends with a Carolina Dog at the vet's.

I'm planning on breeding her to my only viable stud, C and T Farms Basil, despite the breed difference to see if she can carry to term and have a few surviving kits. If not, my lovely AS girl might be looking for a pet home. Hopefully her ice queen exterior will melt away entirely if that option is a must, but insofar she grows very fond of her people, if she remains shy of others and isn't big on being held.