Rudy came to us for what was meant to be a routine rehoming welfare assessment as part of our Rehoming Assistance Programme. His owner asked for help to rehome him because she felt he was “too difficult to look after”.
From what we were told, Rudy and his brother had very different lives. His brother had much more space and day to day interaction. Rudy was kept in a small indoor cage, and his care had become overwhelming for the household.
When Rudy arrived, it was immediately clear he needed support. He was unkempt and uncomfortable, with heavy matting around his face and a messy bottom. His front paws were damp too, likely from repeatedly trying to clean his face. His owner confirmed he had not seen a vet in their care.
We were already very busy, but we could not send him away without helping. Rudy was admitted so we could get him clean, settled, and properly assessed.
Once he was cleaned up, we carried out a full welfare check. Rudy was underweight, and we had concerns about possible respiratory symptoms. Then we found something we did not expect.
Rudy had no upper front teeth.
There was no history of dental treatment, and his owner had not noticed. Some rabbits can cope without their front teeth, but it often makes self-grooming harder. That can quickly lead to discomfort and hygiene problems, especially if the rest of the mouth is not healthy.
At this stage we do not know why Rudy’s front teeth are missing. It could be a genetic issue. It could also be linked to his previous environment and what he had access to chew. The bigger concern is what we cannot see without a vet exam, his back teeth. If his molars are affected, that changes his long-term outlook and his ongoing care needs.
For the next few days, our focus was simple.
- Keep Rudy comfortable.
- Watch his breathing.
- Check what he can eat safely.
- Monitor pain signs and behaviour.
- Arrange a vet assessment as soon as possible.
Since this first update, Rudy has moved into foster care. His foster carer shared this with us:
“We brought him home earlier today to foster. He has been doing zoomies and binkies up and down the hallway, and headbutting us for head scratches ever since. Whatever his future holds, right now he is stretching his legs and enjoying the space.”
That is the part we hold onto. Comfort. Safety. A chance to be a rabbit.
How you can help Rudy and rabbits like him
You can support this work by donating towards veterinary care, fostering if you can offer a safe temporary home, or sharing Rudy’s story so more people understand what good rabbit care looks like.
