Help

I have two buns and have for about 3 years. However, I struggle with administering meds or critical care and with brushing or nail trims. Basically any close up, controlled maintenance.

This is hard because when I have needed to give my bunnies critical care, I can’t get it in their mouths. They twitch and jump back their neck, even if burritoed.

Do yall have tips for all of the rough grooming or medical stuff? Administering oral meds, nails, brushing?

I have wondered if I need to daily put them on a high surface ( on a towel) and pet /dote on them so that it builds trust over time and we have a close in your face experience other than me trying to do a vet activity. They are free roam and petted a lot but rarely picked up unless it’s for unfun activities.

I’d love advice. One of my buns is struggling tonight and I’m in tears from trying to get critical care in her mouth. I’ve given 6 belly rubs since about 9pm and am forcing her to hop around in hopes this keeps gas moving and we can be in the clear. I’ll be up all night until she’s eating and drinking again. I am particularly worried because I live where the ice storm is and can’t drive to the emergency vet in the morning.

Please help, taking all advice for the immediate but also how I can improve this for future needs.

Picture for bun tax. Thank you for helping a stressed bun mom in ice storm