Description:
Rabbit Owners - LiveJournal.com
Contents:
Sorry if this is a little off-topic. As some of you may remember, my rabbit, Mulrey, passed away eleven days ago. It's been hard. I brought my family's inside dog, Jasper, up to my room 2x today, and noticed he was whining and altogether sad. I think he knows Mulrey is gone. Jasper loved Mulrey, too. I also noticed that Jasper keeps laying on Mulrey's playpen mat that I'm not able to part from my room (I can't remove his cage yet, either). At the moment Jasper's laying down on the mat, wanting to sleep. How can I be there for Jasper while we both grieve?
Posted via m.livejournal.com.
DaVinci: 2004 - 2012
It has finally come. I can't even believe I'm writing this post. After seven amazing years with the most incredible creature I've ever know, he's gone.
DaVinci died last night.
He's been steadily declining, but until yesterday, he was eating voraciously. The hydrotherapy hadn't gotten him to hop unassisted again, but I kept it up because I figured it was good for him anyways; the warmth, the water, the movement.
On Wednesday morning, I brought him downstairs; I thought he'd like to be around everyone for the day, and since he couldn't move, I didn't think it would be a hazard for the babies that were over. I put a diaper on him to eliminate smells and pee stains, bundled him in a towel and set him on the floor with some romaine lettuce. He ate happily and relaxed. When we moved into the living room, I put him in his bundle on the rocking recliner, gave him some carrots that he quickly ate and some bunny yogies that he was happy to have. It was about 3:30 when I put him back in his cage with some dandelion greens; I adjusted his towels and moved his water bottle to an easier location for him to reach, turned on the radio for him and said I'd see him later.
That night, when I got home, I went to check on him. The dandelion greens were all still there. That was very odd for him; he's a pig and never leaves anything. His nostril on the left side of his nose was very blocked, which was odd since it was the side that had been completely fine this entire time. I picked him up to take a better look and he yawned and started making squeaking noises while he was breathing. This terrified me as noises from bunnies are never a good thing. I wrapped him in a yellow towel and ran downstairs to my husband. His breathing wasn't labored, just slow and slightly shallow. He was calm and peaceful. I tried to give him a carrot, he refused. I tried to give him banana, his FAVORITE; he refused. I cried and cried and decided to bring him up into bed with me for the night.
He remained quietly by my side all night and I periodically woke up to check on him. After being kicked a million times by my husband (who moves constantly in his sleep), I moved the pair of us to the floor. In the morning, I tried giving him a dandelion green and he ate it fairly well. He took two more and then refused. I went downstairs and got some parsley for him. He ate one and was almost done with the second when he stopped chewing part way through. He was still aware and okay, just not chewing. It took some prodding to get him to finish what was in his mouth and he let the rest fall away; not a good sign.
I had to go out that morning. My mom stopped by and checked in on him and said he was all right; still breathing and still relaxed.
When I got home around 2:30, I went to check on him. I took him out of his cage and brought him down to the couch. His breathing was still slow and shallow and he seemed very tired. I gave him a slice of apple and he quickly started eating it. I got excited and cut up more, but when I came back he'd only eaten 3/4 of it. I gave him the piece of apple back and he started to eat but his jaw was sort of clicking and I could see that he was having trouble chewing; he couldn't find a good place for the food in his mouth. When he finished that bite, refused more, and started grinding his teeth loudly (which rabbits do when in pain) I knew; it was time. I sobbed and stroked his head. He clicked his teeth now and again; sometimes in pain, sometimes in the loving way he used to do.
I called my husband and told him. I asked him to call the vet for me; I couldn't make it through the call. He called back to tell me that the appointment was for 6:40; it was about 3:40. I partially hoped DaVinci would go on his own (though I've seen that with a few animals before and it's horrible and traumatizing), partially hoped that they'd bump up our appointment and hoped even more that 5:00 would magically never come and he'd heal and become my little baby bunny again. After a few minutes, the vet called back and changed it to 5:00. I called my mom. She and my husband arrived at 4:45 (she had to stay with my daughter who was napping). In the meantime, before they arrived, I sat with my face to his and stroked his forehead just as he'd always preferred. I talked to him and cried quietly. Every once in a while, he'd reposition his head. I held his head in my hand and stroked his ear. I dreaded the coming of 5:00 while wishing it would hurry and arrive so he wouldn't be in pain any longer. When they got to the house, I ran to the bathroom -- I had refused to leave his side, despite my bursting bladder, until they got home. My mom stayed beside him and pet his head.
I asked my husband to drive. I wrapped DaVinci in a large yellow towel and put him against my chest inside my coat to keep him warm. My mom was crying as she stroked his head and said goodbye. I held him up to Vedder (our cat and DaVinci's best friend -- they adored each other). Vedder was disinterested, but DaVinci must have smelled him because he perked up, turned his head toward him and reached out his nose to sniff. It was his goodbye to his best friend.
We went to the vet.
All the way there, he remained very calm. I stroked his ears and kissed his head and sobbed as I thought about what we were doing; I couldn't believe it was happening. I couldn't believe the day had come.
We walked into the office and they ushered us right into a room. They came in and had me sign some paperwork. The vet came in and explained how it would work -- that he'd get an opiate cocktail to make him very euphoric and calm and that after five minutes she'd come back to administer the injection. She said it would go straight to his brain; it was like going to the basement and flipping off the main circuit; like going under anesthesia except that you kept on going. I opted to stay in the room. She gave the first injection (he only slightly flinched) and left. I sat with him beneath a window and wept and wept while petting his head. My husband sat beside me and talked to him, telling him that he was a great little guy and that he had made us so happy. He stayed very calm.
She came back for the next shot. I stood up, crying, and kissed him one more time. I put him on the table. She shaved a bit of fur from his leg (didn't have to shave much as his back legs were so bare to begin with). She was talking and I just wanted her to stop. I wanted silence in that moment. She was trying to ask me questions about my daughter but I couldn't answer and she and my husband talked. I knelt in front of him and stroked his head and cried. After a moment, his eye (the one on the right; the only one I could see) grew a bit larger and opened a bit wider. She told me I'd taken such great care of him as she put the stethoscope to his belly. She said, "But I'm gone now, mom; I'm gone now." My heart shattered and I put my forehead to his and sobbed. He shuddered slightly and his mouth moved a little as his internal organs shut down permanently. The vet left the room, promising to get us a box for him. A woman came back with a box and apologized to us for our loss; she said she'd had a rabbit once; a large white one. We said that DaVinci was wonderful. She said, "I've heard you can litter train them and everything, too," and was amazed that he had been. She asked if we wanted a paw print keepsake. It seemed barbaric. I couldn't subject his sweet little body to something like that after he was gone just for a keepsake; turning his limp little leg and pressing it into a mold...no. I thanked her but refused. She said to take all the time we needed.
I cried for a few minutes there with my head to his, then I picked him up and placed him gently into the box. My husband put the top on, took the box and we walked out of the room, out into the cold and to the car.
I am devastated. I am heartbroken. I miss him so desperately.
He was my first rabbit, my first "big" pet after my dog died the month before; he became my new puppy and was just like a little dog. He was amazing; smart, feisty, funny, sweet, cuddly. I feel an aching, horrible void in my heart. It has been seven years and I no longer know what it is to live a life without him and I can't fathom how I will. I know that I will but I can't grasp how that will happen. I can't understand how I'll never see him again.
But I feel honored to have known him. I feel blessed and privileged to have been the one that brought him home that cold winter's night so many years ago. I feel so grateful for all of the memories I have with him and for the love he gave me. I truly feel bad for everyone else on earth who didn't know him. He was wonderful.
I miss you, DooDoo. I miss you so, so much.
Note to Littlest Cat (Guest-starring The Phooka)
Dear Mew,
I am delighted that you are getting braver and that the brave is coaxed even further by curiosity. I think that by now, your sleeping during the day in the linen closet is more by choice than by fear, although I do wish that you would jump to the HighestHigh Shelf on your own without begging me to heist you up there. It's not much higher than the low shelf, which you manage quite well. I know you have short stubby legs, but if you can jump up onto the bed, you can reach the HighestHigh Shelf from the toilet.
Coming down is even easier, and you have managed that pretty well.
This, however, does not mean that I recommend that you walked off the HighestHigh Shelf onto my shoulders.
ESPECIALLY when I am cleaning The Phooka's poopybutt.
He is embarrassed enough by his elderly need for this cleaning. Not to mention is it a Delicate Area involved and that he has to be turned upside-down for such ministrations. Having you step off the HighestHigh Shelf onto my back, walk up my shoulders to peer over and watch for a few minutes, then turn around and SIT ON MY HEAD, BACKWARDS, with your front feet on my neck and your butt on my head and your tail hanging over my face... is not conducive to making sure the baby oil goes onto the right part of the rabbit. Most importantly, it does not help the grumpy rabbit to withhold his temper and not KICK THE BEJEEBUS OUT OF ME while your tail is drifting back and forth over him. In front of my face.
That rather ended all productivity. I managed to set The Phooka down. You refused to step off my neck. You weigh ten pounds now, kid. You hurt. I managed to wobble-walk to the bed, intending for you to step off there.
Smidgeon was on the bed.
This did not bode well.
Disgusted with the whole situation and smelling rather strongly of bunny poo, I admit, I shoved you.
Which meant that you, Smidge, and The Grumpy Phooka were now all within three square feet of each other.
I did the wisest thing possible.
I fled.
Under the guise of scrubbing my hands, of course, but yes. I fled.
When I came back, Smidge was still on the bed, tail lashing. You were in the clothes closet, and The Grumpy Phooka hadn't moved.
He glared at me.
Thumped.
Left the room.
He had waited just long enough to tell me off.
Next time, dearest Mew... STAY IN THE CLOSET! We'll all live longer.
I have a pair of bunnies (mini-rex, mutt, both under 4lb/1.9k). I live with my brother, who is thinking about adopting a cat. If anyone has experience introducing a cat into a bunny-run household, I'd love to hear it.
I'm concerned, as these bunnies have lived without "predatory" intrusion (that is, they're our only pets) for 3.5 years, as long as we've had them. They were socialized with cats at the humane society from whence we adopted them, but they haven't seen non-human creatures in a very long time.
Is it better to find a young cat that we can introduce/somehow teach that the bunnies are colleagues, not snacks? I'm thinking about trying to foster a kitty from a local shelter - as a sort of "will this work out" test. We can keep them separated during the day, or if necessary I can cover their pen with something to limit access...clearly, I'm a little freaked out by the possibility that a new kitty would practice its ninja moves on one of my beloved bunnies...or they'd just die of stress or something.
Help!
Free Range bunny
x-posted to ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif?v=88.9) bunnyowners
Dear bunny owners,
I own Esther Bunny, a rabbit who I "adopted" from a friend through a series of unfortunate circumstances for poor Esther. I think I'm her first semi-competent owner when it comes to the basics, like feeding/grooming/playing but beyond that I'm still at a loss.
Well, my other pets (rats) are all gone now and I figure that I'd really like a rabbit who gets to free range around my bachelor apartment and just chillax.
Problem: She seems terrified of everything. She also poops everywhere. She litter trained herself when she's confined to her cage, but the minute she gets out, she poops everywhere. Any way to fix that, to change her behaviour so she still poops in one specific area if she was given free range of my apartment?
Another problem is bunny proofing. Once upon a time I was in hospital for three days. She found out how to get out of her cage, and I came home to a destroyed mini-vac (she chewed through the cord) and a destoryed iPod alarm clock (she chewed through the cord) and she hopped up on my bed and pooped on it. How the heck does one bunny proof an apartment? I quite literally only have closet doors, a bathroom door, and the door to my apartment. I have a gate thingie so she gets free range within a specific area and she enjoys that (except when she sees me, then she jumps back in her cage) but the gate isn't big enough to fence off all the places I don't want her going - like under my bed, where she is notoriously difficult to get out.
Am I completely doomed to failure? How do you trust train a rabbit? Are rabbits always such scaredy-creatures when it comes to sitting on laps and attention? I just want the furball to enjoy spending time with me.
At the moment, in hopes I can actually let her roam around my apartment if she so desires, she's wearing a halter with a bell on it so I know where she is. She hates it. I hope she'll grow to tolerate it, unless I need to find some other thing, like perhaps just a collar with a bell on it? Help!
Esther Bunny disgruntedly says thanks:
Elder bun peeing outside of litter tray
After nearly nine years of near-perfect litter tray use, my bun has suddenly started peeing in all the corners of his room. We have carpet under the cardboard his room is lined with, and we're worried he's going to damage it. He's not peeing outside of the corners, so I don't think it's an incontinence issue. Any suggestions on what might be causing this, or how I can get him back to his old habits?
Esther: Stasis or pysch issues
Hi everyone, So this week i have spent close to $600 at the vet for Esther for her lack of appetite. She has had x-rays and blood work done. The blood work came back fine and the x-ray found nothing. The only thing they saw is that she has a empty stomach. She was kept over night and given fluids and force feeding. She's on reglan 3 times a day plus 3 teaspoonful of critical care/ baby food mix. Plus syringes of warm waters (i now have a water bottle and bowl out for her). She still doesn't seem to have a great appetite. My question is is she going through stasis or is it some pysch issue? I've noticed she's eaten the veggie puffs and nibble on her pellets in the morning after having the night to herself. Plus eaten some of her parlsey leaves. Am i stressing her out too much which is causing this? She fine enough to learn the new trick of hoping on my sholder and onto my back to get away from the force feeding. Yet she doesn't seem to be very active (well neither are the other three, but they're all pigs). I rearranged her pen this moring and she was curious about it when i was moving things....but now...... I have no idea what to do. I'm supposed to bring her in tomorrow if she doesn't start eating "normally" again, but i don't even know what is normal for her anymore. Is it the cold or being alone? SO VERY FRUSTERATED right now. I basically gave my whole pay check to them last week and if i bring her in they would keep her a day or two. Would it be more harm than good? Does she have stasis? Going out of her mind bunny mom, Melissa
xposted at bunnyowners
Hydrotherapy for an elderly bun with paralysis problems
It has been at least a month since DaVinci was able to stand up on his own and at least a month since he's hopped. The 21st of November was the last time I can remember his hopping around with help; he kept falling over and I had to continuously stand him up again.
He's been on Orbax and Prednisone for quite a while now.
He's been eating like CRAZY; tons and tons of greens and veggies in general. He went through cilantro, parsley, romaine lettuce, escarole, mustard greens and dandelion greens this week like they were nothing.
I've had to put infant diapers on him in order to have him out at all because he pees constantly and it makes a mess of the roll-out carpet I bought for him.
I have had to go in to pick out his cecotropes and feed them to him several times a day because he can't turn around to get them. I've also had to groom him daily (moreso than usual).
He has lost an enormous amount of weight; he went from being overweight to be skeletal.
Today I FINALLY got the chance to try some hydrotherapy with him.
I wasn't excessively hopeful because I assumed he'd be really upset about the whole thing (despite being awesome about baths as a baby; as an old man, he's been less than happy about them). I filled the tub with lukewarm water, turned off the faucet (the sound is what really scares him) and sat in there with him.
I supported him under his belly and fed him a carrot periodically. I tried not to push him too hard; I just wanted to see how he reacted to it first. He moved his legs a little, I fed him some carrot and talked to him encouragingly and quietly. After a little while, I tested his strength a bit more and supported his belly only with my fingertips; he started to tread water a little. I fed him more carrot and let him rest. We stayed in the tub for about an hour and repeated all of these very basic activities, not pushing too hard; then I wrung out his feet and dried him on a big fluffy towel with the hair dryer. All the while, he kicked his legs and struggled to get away (though still lying on his side it wasn't possible to escape).
I turned him onto his other side to dry him, talked to him soothingly, lightly massaged his legs and feet and finally finished. He tried really hard to stand up. I helped him onto his feet. Shaking immensely, he held his balance; he put his chin to the floor and rested, sort of taking a brief snooze, then picked up his head and stood again, shaking like a leaf. I was ECSTATIC.
I brought him down to my living room, rolled out his carpet and placed him down on it; he stayed standing up. He repeated this routine a few times -- holding his balance, resting his head, then picking it back up and holding his balance again. After ten minutes or so, he HOPPED. Just once. He wobbled a bit and shook, trying to steady himself, then HE HOPPED AGAIN.
It has been an hour or so since we came down here and he's been standing up and holding his weight the entire time; he refuses to stop, lol. He's hopped in circles and across the floor and has paused now and again to rest his head on my foot and snooze. I cannot believe it!!!!!!
I'd only seen ONE article about hydrotherapy for rabbit before deciding to try this. The woman said her partially paralyzed rabbit ended up regaining the strength to scratch his face with his back feet. I had been hopeful but didn't expect any of this.
Maybe it's all a fluke, maybe I'm just getting really, really lucky, but I just cannot contain how excited I am. I think he feels it too. This is the most progress he's made in MONTHS; he's been on a steady decline since summer and this is the first MAJOR achievement. I was sure he wouldn't make it to Christmas and now I'm hopeful that he'll make it to the new year.
He's exhausting himself but is too happy to be off of his left side to stop moving.
I'm so hopeful, so excited and just HAD to share this. I can't say whether or not hydrotherapy will work for every rabbit and I do not suggest that everyone go dunk their rabbit in a pool or tub, but I DO suggest researching this and talking to your vet about it if your geriatric bun is having mobility issues. I'm not a rabbit expert in any sense, but if this at least starts a discussion between a rabbit owner and their vet and results in another elderly rabbit's improved health and mobility, then I'm happy to have shared my experience!!
<33333
I don't know if these updates about my little man really help anyone, but I like to randomly post them anyways, lol. Maybe someone can find some useful information in them.
So my little eight year old geriatric buddy has had quite a few turns recently.
His antibiotics lapsed for a few days because I couldn't afford to refill them and I was only giving him the steroids sparingly.
He has a large tumor on his front right shoulder; this is the same side on which he has a lame front leg. He has lost a LOT of weight lately and the tumor is more pronounced. His back left leg has also become lame and the combination is screwing with him; he tries to stand up but the large tumor is pushing him over to the left; at the same time, his lame back leg can't support him enough as he's leaning over and his legs slip out from under him.
Home
|
|
