Blackberry Boarding

24/07/2025

Vaccinations - Reminder
The majority of rabbit owners are well aware of the importance of vaccinations and protecting your rabbits but from time to time we do encounter those people who pay little attention to their rabbits health and welfare and happily take risks with their rabbits lives.

To think you or your rabbit are untouchable please do not be mistaken and having watched two rabbits die in the space of a week even with expert care of our vets was heartbreaking. Sadly once a virus has taken hold it's the end for your bunny and he or she will not survive. The two we lost here were vaccinated but unfortunately it was given incorrectly and left the rabbits without protection. The owners were of the opinion their rabbits were safe and protected as we were. The administration of vaccinations needs to be carried out with your veterinary practice and they can give you the advice as to what vaccines are necessary to protect your rabbits.
As boarders we ensure all our rabbits are vaccinated annually, yes all of them currently 17 which of course has a cost implication. So when we get told that their bunny was not vaccinated due to the added expense but we are alright in paying boarding fees for you to take the risk the question is often thought Why?
I would have to say all of our clients are happy to take our advice and protect their rabbits so please if you are thinking of approaching a boarder to take care of your rabbits, do not get upset or annoyed if the owner insists on your rabbits being up to date with vaccinations. They will be protecting their flock, others boarding and of course your rabbit.

23/07/2025

We said goodbye to Benny or Spotty Benny as he was called at the Windwhistle Warren Rescue this week.
This bun who was a very shy and reserved bunny and struggled with humans. He had however, in recent months, started to trust them due to the special care and love he received from his foster carers (thank you Gabby and Russ Cooper) who had hopes of bonding him with their own bunny.
Benny was originally with a friend who died before coming into rescue, he had as many do, become redundant and unwanted. He came to us originally in a very thin and poor condition and extremely nervous and no trust.
Several years later he had blossomed into a very pretty and would have to say well rounded bun. Many saw him and thought he was a female far too pretty for a boy.
Benny adored his food but would sit and wait for you to exit before eating and was always grateful for whatever he was given. With all his shyness when out in his foster carers garden he had a fabulous time and his confidence shone through.
All seemed to be going amazingly well for Benny until he managed to get a severe middle ear infection which was not responding to antibiotics. This is very often the case and daily cleaning his ear was not an experience Benny was happy with and with high dose pain meds and antibiotics he was already showing signs of being fed up. The next step would have been surgery and we discussed this with our vet, mainly the level of it which was a massive operation 3 hrs plus, removing the whole ear canal and possibly some of the bone within the ear. Putting Benny through this alone was a big ask but the aftercare nursing of constantly flushing his ear wound was really asking too much of him knowing his non coping ways. As well as total success not being guaranteed. The decision was take to let him go peacefully and not endure this operation. Right decisions are never easy especially with a rabbit who had everthing live for and a fabulous home in the future. R.I.P. Beautiful Benny x

20/07/2025