To Cull Or Not To Cull... That Is The Question

[MotherOfPeepPeeps]

He guys! I already posted this over on BYH, but there it is usually pretty slow over there and I have been having better luck with some of my rabbit related queries over here.

I keep a small herd of meat rabbits to supply my family with inexpensive and healthy meat, and myself with furs for craft projects.

I won't say that processing days do not bother me at all, but I have gotten pretty good at not getting attached to any rabbits that I have bred with the intentions of putting in my freezer. My breeding rabbits, I must admit, I get a little too attached to.

I have a 1-1/2 year old buck, Rosco. He produces beautiful colorful litters that grow out large and fast on natural fodder, have beautiful pelts, and friendly dispositions.

Rosco is a very sweet buck with a great personality, but he is a sloppy buck. He loves to greet you at his door to get pettings, but no one wants to pet him... he has never been one for regular self grooming and he stinks! He sprays everything and everyone... I swear, he aims at people who pass his cage with deadly accuracy. I could probably overlook his general sloppiness though if it were not for some of his other issues...

Right after I got him, about six months ago, Rosco came down with a case of bladder sludge. I got it cleared up by cutting calcium way down in his diet, feeding him a nice mixed yard weed and garden salad daily, and putting a little organic cranberry juice and ACV in his water and giving him a few cranberries daily as a treat. After that, about three months ago the poor boy suffered a bad scratch to his eye from a doe. I've washed it with a chamomile/green tea wash and treated it with Terramycin opthalmic ointment regularly, but it just won't heal and he has a chronicly runny right eye. Now, today I saw him straining to urinate, so I'm guessing he has the bladder sludge again!

When I decided to get into rabbits I told myself that I would not coddle any of them or spend money taking them to the vet... If they failed to thrive and needed more treatment than I could provide them, then I would cull them. But as I already stated, I have a habit of getting attached to my breeders.

Do any of y'all have any suggestions on anything else that I might try before I give up on him... Or should I just bite the bullet and get it over with?

 

[StephanieRose44]

If you love them don’t kill them try to find them a home.

 

[Sweetpotatomama]

You could try wiping the eye with colloidal silver, 10-30ppm. In my experience it works wonders. I've been using it on an infection in my dog's eye & it's helping slowly but surely. I mix 1/8 tsp of sea salt to soften it a bit. I've also successfully used 4 drops of Euphrasia tincture in 1/2 cup of water as an eye rinse. I also give the same 4-5 drops orally mixed into food twice/day to a 17lb dog & it helped. If it were me I'd probably have him drinking a tbsp of colloidal silver 2xday also. Some people might disagree so you'll have to make that call but I personally have been drinking 4-8oz of colloidal silver daily for 2 years now and it has helped immensely with my own health issues....altho fortunately not bladder sludge.

 

[MotherOfPeepPeeps]

If you love them don’t kill them try to find them a home.

As I said, he is a very sloppy stinky buck. I can't imagine anyone wanting him for a pet... And unless I can clear up the bladder sludge issue I would just be pawning my problem off on someone else, which will give me a bad name. I only let healthy rabbits leave my rabbitry. Also the eye injury... I know his eye is caused by an injury, but I don't even want anyone to see him because they might think my rabbits are sick and possibly contagious.

I need to figure out how to get him better, or just suck it up and cull.

 

[MotherOfPeepPeeps]

You could try wiping the eye with colloidal silver, 10-30ppm. In my experience it works wonders. I've been using it on an infection in my dog's eye & it's helping slowly but surely. I mix 1/8 tsp of sea salt to soften it a bit. I've also successfully used 4 drops of Euphrasia tincture in 1/2 cup of water as an eye rinse. I also give the same 4-5 drops orally mixed into food twice/day to a 17lb dog & it helped. If it were me I'd probably have him drinking a tbsp of colloidal silver 2xday also. Some people might disagree so you'll have to make that call but I personally have been drinking 4-8oz of colloidal silver daily for 2 years now and it has helped immensely with my own health issues....altho fortunately not bladder sludge.

I will do some research and check into colloidal silver for rabbits.

 

[StephanieRose44]

I’m sorry I wish I I could give you medical advice or anything to help you with Rosco but I know someone on here has the information you need to help you him medically heal him, and also the knowledge and experience to help you with your decision! Wish you & Rosco All the best

 

[BorregoMike]

He’s not that old. If it was me I’d probably be taking him to a vet. Sounds like everything is curable.

 

[Kneedles]

Years ago I had a rabbit that sometimes got weirdly swollen eyelids and I would dip cotton pads into black tea and wipe her eyes with them. To my recollection, her eyes would go back to normal the next morning. Is that much different?

 

[MotherOfPeepPeeps]

He’s not that old. If it was me I’d probably be taking him to a vet. Sounds like everything is curable.

I seriously doubt there is a vet around who would know anything about rabbits, and if I could find one it would cost a small fortune that I don't have, especially right before Christmas.
They are meat rabbits, and I have three other bucks. I'm not going to break the bank over it.

 

[Grits&Eggs]

it is hard when you get attached, but since you are already attached you may have a hard time culling him. Good luck with whatever you decide.