BC SPCA: Hogan

Location and contact information
2200 Dartmouth Drive
Penticton, B.C.
V2A 7W7
(250) 493-0136
penticton@spca.bc.ca

Hogan

Adopted: March 24, 2011

Hogan is a two-year-old short-hair rabbit who was abandoned in terrible condition. Found in a Penticton, B.C. back alley on a cold winter's night, he was brought to the BC SPCA South Okanagan/Similkameen Branch on February 2, 2010. Hogan was dirty, suffering from a sore mouth, and had bald patches on his front legs.

Mandy, a BC SPCA staff member, knew this poor bunny needed a lot of extra love and care and immediately volunteered to give him a temporary foster home. Knowing how often rabbits like to nibble and have to "go", she became very concerned when Hogan didn't eat or poop for five days. Assuming his sore mouth was the problem, she soaked his pellets in warm water. He happily gobbled up the mush and gained weight quickly.

Thanks to the support of generous BC SPCA donors, Hogan received antibiotics and much-needed surgery to correct teeth that were so overgrown, they had begun to curl and cut into his tongue. In preparation for adoption, Hogan was also neutered and tattooed. Once his mouth began to heal, Hogan's drool subsided which prevented further balding on his front legs.

Surviving of all this finally paid off when almost two months later, Hogan was adopted into a loving new home in Vernon on March 24. His new family helped Hogan to share an update with us on his new life.

Hi everybody, it's Hogan here!

Just checking in with an update of how I am doing.

I have had hours of brushing, smooches and hugs. I am told that I am precious. Sometimes I hop over and rest my head in my mom's hand and I fall asleep just like that. This makes my mom's eyes get all teary but she tells me it is because she is so happy that I am here.

My fur is starting to come back in and though I still look like a bit like a raggedy bunny, I am grooming myself more and more all the time... I am gaining back my pride. I am treasured and loved so dearly.

I went for a check-up at Rutland Pet Hospital on Saturday as my new guardian mom wanted to touch base with the vets there as to my overall health. I am "new" to her and she wanted to make super-sure we were starting off with the best plan possible for my care. Although I had been eating while I was at the BC SPCA, I was still drooling a bit. I had the skin troubles under my chin and was getting quite a big sore all down my back leg. We really wanted to ask about my teeth again since I was grinding them quite a bit.

Dr. DeYaegher thought that maybe my cheek teeth had grown back crooked and that might be causing some of my issues. I got some new antibiotics to help with my skin and some special soap for washing my chin and leg. My mom and the veterinarian decided that it would be best if I was anesthetized to have a good and proper look. I had definitely gained some weight since the first time I was at Rutland Pet Hospital. They sure remembered me!

....

My mom and I hope that because I am eating so very well now, I may be able to keep my teeth ground down myself. That may not be totally realistic so my mom says that we will save up our dollars for a "Hogan fund" and we will go to have my surgeries whenever I should need them. She knows the warning signs that my mouth might be getting sore and will be watching carefully. I have even gained weight since Saturday!

Mom says that I am a real little fighter and that because I have been through so very much, I can just have fun now because she will always fight for me.

I eat and eat and eat (and poop and poop and poop). I have had carrots, brussels sprouts, apples, parsley, strawberries, broccoli, celery, snow peas, a piece of orange, alfalfa sprouts and, for a very special treat, a bite of banana! Plus, I have my rabbit food and hay. Mom has a big long list of even more rabbit veggies for me to try. She tells me that in the Spring, we will have an excellent crop of dandelions in the yard... I can't wait! But, I have decided that I do not like lettuce.

Thank you for believing in little me. I know it must have been a difficult thing to do when you first saw the very rough shape I was in. But, you saw the light inside of me and you chose to save my life. Because of your kindness, concern, care and your hope that I might have another chance, I ended up getting that chance. Life is so good!

Mandy, you brought me to your house and took such wonderful care of me and watched over me like an angel. Thank you with all my heart. You are very, very special.

If you ever have sad days or bad days, or your heart is heavy because of all that you see or have to do, please remember me. There is always sunshine through the clouds. Every one of us that you help and everything that you all work towards is so very worth it.

Love to you all. We will update you as we go along.

Hogan, you are our hero! Congratulations on finding the loving new home and family that you deserve.