Should my bunny live or die.

[Coley]

I have been faced with a terrible decision this week that will decide the fate of my beloved bunny Snoopy. I have been advised by two vets that he might be better off dead. He has been slowly loosing weight over the last four months and is starting to give up using his back legs due to possible fractures. They say his bones might be easy to break because of a lack of calcium. This imobility is not as bad as it sounds but he does tend to sit in his own urine a bit and this has led to scolding, but I am dealing with that by bathing him regularly and applying Sudocream. As for the calcium, I'm not entirly sure if there is a hope of bringing the levels back up again though I have been advised what food to give him for a boost. He seems fine in himself but the vets keep insisting he's is in agony, but I know him so well it just doesn't make sence. Today he has been laying down an awful lot and I just don't know what to do. He has only just got like it and I want to give him a fighting chance.
Can anyone help please?

[Kayleigh]

This is very hard, only you can make the decision..
I don't believe in euthanasia, but had to have my dog put to sleep as she needed an op and her body would not cope due to heart failure and lung problems.

Ask the vet for some possible pain relief, and take one day at a time. You will know in your own mind when the time comes..If it come to that.

Sorry Coley..

[leifus]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

This is very hard, only you can make the decision..
I don't believe in euthanasia, but had to have my dog put to sleep as she needed an op and her body would not cope due to heart failure and lung problems.

Ask the vet for some possible pain relief, and take one day at a time. You will know in your own mind when the time comes..If it come to that.

Sorry Coley..

Just thought I'd say this was the 1000th post on Mammal forums
Yeah my cat had to be put down as well - all very sad...

[Coley]

Thanks Kayleigh, that's a good idea.
I asked the vet for some Nutrobal (calcium suppliment). Over the phone they said they had some, but when I got there they said they had run out and kept on dopping the discompfort word trying to make me feel guilty. I will try though.

[Wild-Woman]

Firstly, I have every sympathy for you, as I have been there with this dilemma myself. No matter what pet you have, be it a fish, a dog or a Rabbit it's still difficult and heartbreaking.
I cannot advise you, but I'm sure you'll make the exact right choice, after all you know your pet best. Whatever way it goes- chin up-we'll be here to lend you a sympathetic ear and a shoulder.

[Coley]

Thankyou very much,
I will give this painkiller idea a shot. I don't think I could get over it if I didn't give him a chance.

[hobble]

Dear Coley,
I would let him go.
My cat reached the age of 14, I loved him so much, but he became thin, drank loads of water, lost condition and became sad looking.
I couldn't bear seeing my once fit and beautiful cat shut down.
I took him to the vet knowing the vet would say it was time and kinder to let him be put to sleep.
I was to much of a coward to even witness it.
I brought him home and it took months to get over the whole experience.
Now the memory I have is that he had a great life with me and I know the decision I made was the right one.
Good luck and I sympathise with your dilemma and with your choice, at least animals have one.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Coley

Thanks Kayleigh, that's a good idea.
I asked the vet for some Nutrobal (calcium suppliment). Over the phone they said they had some, but when I got there they said they had run out and kept on dopping the discompfort word trying to make me feel guilty. I will try though.

As long as the animal is not "suffering" you may be able to carry on. But it may be seen as being cruel in prolonging the Rabbits life, especially as there are fractures. It may become a welfare issue if you go against the vets advice. So just be careful and talk to the vets.

[shei111]

Hello coley im so sorry to hear about you pet bunny, I think we have all been there with our pets and its heartbreaking for us..But if 2 vets told me my pet was in agony I would have no chose but to have him put to sleep,you have done as much as any caring animal lover would do but be kind to him and let him go. Im sorry but dont let him suffer much longer its not fair on him. sheila

[Coley]

Thanks for your advice. The fractures are only guess work along with everything else they have said. There has been no x-rays or proper examination so that is what makes me feel that he might have a chance. I was told that it was down to his fussy eating and urine scolds so I am giving him pellets and am bathing him and keeping every thing cleaner than ever. So if these thing help improve his condition he might be O.K. But I know what your saying and I won't let him suffer, I just want to try it for a week.

[hank]

You have a heartbreaking decision to make. I don't envy you. If you follow this link you will find an item about saying goodbye to your pet, written by the Ashleigh Vet Clinic. I hope it helps.....

Euthanasia of pets, bereavement, Ashleigh Vet Clinic, Knaresborough

Chin up, Big HUGS - Hank.

[Coley]

Today Snoopy is on his feet and carring on as if nothing is wrong. He is continuing to eat well but will only drink from a dish rather than his bottle. I still don't think he is in alot of pain maybe just sore where the urine gets on his skin.
I'm going to spray a waterproof plaster layer over his skin to protect it and give it a chance to heal. I have been advised by alot of Rabbit carers that it sounds like he still has a chance if I keep persevering with his care, so all is not lost. I have to feed him baby food and kitten milk to fatten him up. If all this fails then I will have to submit.

[shei111]

Originally Posted by Coley

Today Snoopy is on his feet and carring on as if nothing is wrong. He is continuing to eat well but will only drink from a dish rather than his bottle. I still don't think he is in alot of pain maybe just sore where the urine gets on his skin.
I'm going to spray a waterproof plaster layer over his skin to protect it and give it a chance to heal. I have been advised by alot of Rabbit carers that it sounds like he still has a chance if I keep persevering with his care, so all is not lost. I have to feed him baby food and kitten milk to fatten him up. If all this fails then I will have to submit.

Hello coley keep as very close on eye on him as im sure you are, please dont let him suffer Iknow you are giving him excellent care but id always take the advice from the vets . We cant see whats going on inside a sick animal, Its so hard and heartbreaking as most of us have been through it in the past with our pets but im sure you will see it through everyone on WAB are with you keep us informed sheila

[Coley]

Thankyou Shei111,
We have been thinking about the things that have changed in the past few months that could have brought this on and it seems that the diet thing is most resposable. Firstly, in Jan we brought him to the vets for a mysterious broken leg and he said its healing fine and he is a little under weight. We changed his diet for the kind that doesn't have the little brown pellets in as he was tending to leave them sometimes and we wanted to fatten him up by giving him loads of treats. This lead to him having alot less calcium in his diet so his bones got weak. That in turn has lead to a probable fracture which means he has lost weight due to the pain. So if all this is correct then it may be reversed, fingers crossed.

[Bunster]

Hi Coley,
Sorry your bunny is poorly, I'm going through this myself with one of mine at the moment. From the symptoms you describe.. weight loss, weak on back legs and urine scold - this sounds quite possibly like a parasite called E. cuniculi. It is surpisingly common in pet Rabbits, although most can be a carrier without it causing any problems. It can be diagnosed with a blood test and treated with a six week course of panacur. Might be worth mentioning this to your vet, if they have not mentioned it already.


Also, did your vet check Snoopy's rear teeth? He/she mentioned fractures, but didn't take X-rays? What diet is he on now, and how old is he? I'm very surprised they didn't offer him any pain relief... being prey animals they hide it very well.

Sorry for all the questions.

Rabbits are very complicated creatures, and unfortunately it is very difficult to find a vet that takes them seriously and treats them appropriately.

[Coley]

Hi Bunster,
Sounds like you know your stuff. Sorry to hear of your bunny problem also.
This worm hasn't been mentioned by any vets and today I have just come back from seeing one that works for the RSPCA. He said it was his age because he is about five years old now and he probably has Artheritis. I am now feeding him (Snoopy not vet) ground down Posh Nosh Rabbit pellets and baby food mixed with cat milk to fatten him up, he has put on 0.1kg since Sat. His teeth have been checked and they are O.K. The vet also said that if Snoopy grinds his teeth then that is an indication of pain, he has not been doing that very much. I have been giving him Panacur for the past few days. The vet gave me some antibiotics, anti inflamitants and Nutrobal to give to Snoopy for the next seven days. If he shows no sign of improvment then he should be put to sleep. The vet also said that if he does improve then he will give him an x-ray to see if there are any brakes. I think Snoopy has already shown signs of improvment, but they are small yet. I will phone the vet again tomorrow and ask about the worm.
Thankyou
Coley

[Jason Green]

Coley - first of all, I'm sorry to hear about your Rabbit's health problems.

I, and my Mum, say 'Where there's life, there's hope'. This is true, particularly given it is showing signs of improvement.

Keep us posted.

[Bunster]

Hi Coley

I'm glad Snoopy is showing a small improvement today.
I've found this info on E.C for you.. RWAF: Encephalitozoon cuniculi ...it does say a 28 day course of panacur, but 6 weeks is recommended now to totally eradicate it.

I could be barking up the wrong tree, but is might be worth pursuing.

By the way, porridge oats are good for putting weight on bunnies, but they must be soaked thoroughly first.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

[Coley]

Hi everyone,
If Bunster is reading this, I would like to ask if could you tell me what Snoopy's stools would look like if he had E. Cuniculi. Also, how is your bunny doing?
Thanks, Coley

[coasty]

Whilst also saying that you have my sympathy I think the previous comments about you will know when are exactly right.

We had to have our cat put to sleep a year or two ago she was 17 and had kidney failure. She had been ill for a while and we knew her time had come. One evening we looked at her and knew she had just had enough. Yes tears were shed but have never doubted that we made the right decision at the right time. I held her as she slipped away. Which I am sure was the right thing I think if I had just left her with the vet I am sure I would have regretted it later.

[Coley]

Thanks Coasty, I'm sure your cat had a good and happy long life.
I am now coming to terms with the idea of putting Snoopy to sleep. I phoned the vet today and asked him if it could be E. Cuniculi. He said he didn't think so because when he felt his legs there was no muscle tissue left and he felt that it was skeletal problems too. If only I knew Snoopy's fussy eating would result in this. I think when someone puchases an animal they should get an information pack stating the importance of correct diet and stuff. Anyway, we've got until Friday to make the decision.

[Lance Morgan]

Sounds to me from what you have said about the vet that your Rabbit may have a malignancy of some kind which has spread to other organs possibly bone etc. In which case the kindest thing would be to put it to sleep.

[Bunster]

Hiya, sorry, bit late with my reply.
Although your vet has ruled it out now, just to answer you question... E.C shouldn't effect his faeces. Any abnormalities would usually be diet related, i.e not enough hay (should make up 80 - 90% of their diet) or would point to gut related problems. What are Snoopy's like?
I'm really sorry if you have to come to 'that decision' on Friday. It's never easy, but you have to think of his quality of life (I'm sure you know that ) and you know that you have done all you can for him.

Still got my fingers crossed for you both... how is he today?

Thanks for asking after my bunny. She (Rosie) is ok in herself, just very thin. She had bloods taken last week and they point towards a problem with her liver. I've been advised to up her protein intake, but if no improvement, she is going in for a ultrasound to see if their is anything obvious and nasty going on. She was a foster bun from last year,(that I kept ) I had to hand rear her as her Mum died, as did her 5 siblings, so she didn't have the best start in life.

Pets ay

[Coley]

No need to apologise.
Aaahh, poor Rosie (my first Rabbit was called Rosie, until I found out she was a he, it changed to Pepsi). Sounds like your doing all you can for her. Snoopy's not really doing any better, he can't stand up for long any more. His stools are normal, somtimes a bit soft, but I think that is his diet at the mo. As we have a very secure garden, Snoopy has been able to graze freely all his life as an addition to normal Rabbit food. He has always had access to hay but never really ate much. I don't think I can put it down to diet and the vet said his muscles have wasted away so there isn't much hope. I just can't understand how he got like this, it seemed so sudden. knowing I have done all I can has made it easier to submit.
I will keep you posted and you let me know how Rosie is doing

[toadpole]

coley i will be thinking of you and your little Rabbit ....its so very hard to know your pets are not 100% well ...sometimes you feel so very helpless ...but at least you will allways know you have tried everything to help your Rabbit and did not give up on it .....we lost our male Rabbit (Dougal) last november ...he was 9 yrs old and like yours had the run of the garden along with his female companion (Florence)he too had began to lose weight and due to his athritis not move around so much ...but seemed happy and loved his food ...then one afternoon as we went to get them in for the night we realised he had broken his leg ...we were stunned ....so we had to say goodbye and let him g