Sometimes even the straightforward cases do not go the way you expect.
We first met Halloumi and Cheddar in March 2022, when they were born in our care to a pregnant doe who had been surrendered to us, Petunia. They were adopted together six months later. Sadly, due to a change in personal circumstances, they were returned to Beloved Rabbits a week before Christmas.
On paper, it sounded simple. No reported health issues in their adoptive home. They just needed a kind foster home while we found them a new one, hopefully their forever home.
But rabbit welfare is rarely straightforward. Rabbits are experts at hiding discomfort, and small concerns can be easy to miss until you look closely.
Halloumi and Cheddar settled in quickly. They are usually found in their run together, always side by side. They are full of personality, leaping into the straw box during cleaning and climbing all around, and on, their foster carer. They are also very clear about breakfast and dinner time.
When they returned into our care, we carried out our usual Welfare Check. This is a hands-on assessment completed by our volunteer team to flag any physical or behavioural concerns we should monitor, and to help provide useful background for our vet partners at the next available vet check.
During Halloumi and Cheddar’s check, we noticed some unusual bumps along the jawline on both rabbits.
The good news is that after a full vet assessment and scans, our vets confirmed there were no jawline or tooth root concerns.
However, Halloumi did have a significant spur, with cheek irritation already visible. She will need a dental procedure to correct this.
Dental work like this is common. For many rabbits, it resolves the issue for a long time. Some also benefit from diet adjustments, which can help support natural tooth wear over time.
Our vet also identified that Halloumi was experiencing pain in her hips. She is now on a small daily dose of Metacam for pain relief, which is likely to be a lifelong requirement for her. She takes it well, and long-term pain management like this is common and manageable.
What has changed, and what we are feeling right now, is cost. With veterinary pricing continuing to rise, even routine care like a dental procedure and ongoing medication is no longer a small thing for a rescue to absorb.
If you can help, please consider supporting our Emergency Winter Campaign. Your donation helps us cover urgent vet treatment, ongoing pain relief, and day to day care for rabbits like Halloumi and Cheddar while they wait for their next home.
You can find the campaign page here:
https://belovedrabbits.org/emergency-winter-campaign/
