Hobbs has been a very docile fuzzbutt until recently.  For the last month
he has occasionally bit me.  A few times he drew blood.  This morning he
attacked my daughters shoe.  (She was not wearing it at the time.) Not
just a friendly attack but he clamped down on the shoe, shook the shoe
continuously, and shrieked very loudly.  This went on for about 20
minutes before I was finally able to take the shoe slowly from him.  He
was not in pain as far as I could tell.  He was just in mortal combat
with this shoe.  I realized for the first time how a fuzzbutt could kill
a full-grown rabbit.  It was scary.  I took our other fuzzies back to
their cage for their own protection.  He finally responded to my calm
talking and soothing strokes on his head and neck.  I did not put my hand
anywhere close to his mouth.  I don't think I will be able to let him out
with the other fuzzies until I determine what caused this incident.  To
be truthful, I have fear he may latch on to some part of me and not let
go for 20 minutes.
 
Hobbes has been very healthy over the last year and a half that we have
had him.  He is currently 3 years old.  I noticed in this last month, he
is getting fussy with food.  I normally mix several kinds of quality
ferret/kitten foods.  I noticed that he is picking out certain types of
kibble from his bowl.  I also notice he gobbles down treats like he is
famished.  This last month he doesn't show the same interest playing with
the other fuzzbutts or humans.  Also, he is sleeping more.
 
After reading some about adrenal disease, this sounds like an extreme
case of aggressiveness.  He does not show any signs of hair loss.
However, our other fuzzies have already lost their summer coat and have a
thick winter coat growing in.  Hobbes still has his summer coat.  He has
lost about .4 pound since the last time I weighed him (about 1 year ago).
 
Are there other illnesses that cause extreme aggressiveness?
 
Our vet examined him and took blood yesterday, before the attack, to find
a reason for his other symptoms.  That test came back normal.  Our vet
thinks it may be adrenal and suggests the adrenal blood test.  I plan to
have blood sent to the University of Tennessee for their adrenal test.
If that is positive, I will schedule surgery.  If the surgery is weeks
away, I may also get some Lupron to counteract the testosterone to keep
Hobbes from attacking.
 
Are there other drugs that would also counteract the testosterone?
 
Please send me any opinions, insights or anything you may have.
 
I don't want to be fearful of my fuzzy!  I just want him to get better!
--
William M. Davidson
[log in to unmask]
 
1704 Blume, NE
Albuquerque, NM 87112
505 294 4571
 
Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they
don't want, to impress people they don't like.
-Will Rogers
[Posted in FML issue 4686]