Help me Figure this out....

[ladysown]

as many of you know I sell bunnies for pets.

I sell LOTS of bunnies. I randomly follow up and many are still with their owners past 7 months.

in the past 3-4 years I've have three bunnies sold that when they go to their new homes they "hiccup". That's the behaviour that I"m told. they eat, they drink, and do all the stuff they are supposed to.

1. one was taken to the vet - said heart murmur causing it. I offered to take back and replaced, offer refused because when asked what would happen with it I said it would be culled. Poor genetics should not be passed on. Bunny continued to enjoy life. as far as I know continues to live - this one was two years ago.
2. one was not taken to the vet and died about two weeks later. This bunny was kept on cedar shavings against my advice. This was about 3 maybe four years ago?
3. One was just sold and I'm told is hiccuping, eating hay well, pellets just a wee bit, drinks when encouraged.

Interestingly enough all have been holland lops.

BUT all are from different fathers, numbers 1 and 3 have a grandmother in common.

NOW.. these are bunnies that at my place were doing fine. NOTHING wrong them.

What can cause this?

any thoughts? is it just random genetics? I've never seen hiccuping like behaviour at my house and I've stood and watched the other litter mates for a good 15 minutes... made them hop around a lot and I see nothing. Just happy, healthy bunnies. I've asked...it's not sneezing? no wierd head tilt? does it hop around fine? all answers are normal bunny things so I'm a bit concerned about it.

 

[MaggieJ]

Three rabbits out of the large numbers you have sold does not seem a lot to me. You do everything right, offer a care sheet, offer to take the rabbit back etc. Could it be a weakness in Hollands in general?

 

[ladysown]

I just don't know Maggie. I'm a bit stumped. I went back through my records and number 1 was described as randomly stopping and shaking, not hiccuping. So I had that one a bit wrong. but number 2 was a definite hiccup and is number 3 so it's like hmm...

I like to know the answers to these things as I really dislike new owners having issues with bunnies.

 

[Miss M]

That is weird... the only bunnies around here I've seen hiccup have been newborns. I haven't seen the stopping and shaking.

Wish I could help!

 

[ladysown]

so I've heard back more from this last bunny.

1. he only hiccups after he drinks out of his crock of water
2. he's eating better.
3. he's not using the water bottle that she did purchase for him

I've suggested she check out what type of water bottle she's using. The stick type are often difficult for rabbits to figure out, and he's used to a roller ball style.

Other than that he appears to be fine (from the owners email).

Told her it sounds like a bunny that is having to learn to drink from a crock and that overall he should be fine.