Zippy question, possibly more ethics than health,U/D having to let her go 8-(

When I took on Zippy and Scooby (not long after I joined the forum) out of the rabs in need section http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?t=48751&highlight=Zippy they were 3-4 back in 2005, I always assume that people lie about age to make them easier to home, by shaving a year or so off, I know some rescues do. So I assume they're 7-8, rather than 6-7.

After, about 8 months she started to develop teeth problems, which were at first sorted with normal dentals under GA, as time went on they got worse and a x ray showed the roots were growing back into her head. So then we started having teeth removed, all teeth were dia, not a single tooth was safe. Out come her front teeth, all her back teeth. over a period of a couple of years, her jaw was broke and roots were got out.

NB I would never of done this if she didn't have a good quality of life, she's a happy rabbit (actually that's a lie she's a grumpy rabbit, but happy with it), she's a real bunnies bun and loves her friends. Had she seem to of been suffering I wouldn't of done this to her.

Anyway, over the space six weekly dentals, which have gone on years, first was in feb/06, she's had out the roots but she's had all the associated problems about six abcess's etc.

The vet hasn't managed to get one possibly two root at the back and her two top front teeth started to come through again (although the front, roots are not the problem), it was thought all roots were out, but obviously not.

When she had her dental last week, there was a new vet in (not my usual vet, he's on hols) and he said her jaw is too weak to do anymore and she's and old bun which in itself as made her jaw brittle, which means she'll continue to have dentals on back tooth, which isn't a problem, but do you think we've lost the fight, now with a root left it's going to grow through her head and kill her.

Do you think it's worth trying to get out her last root and possibly breaking her jaw beyond repair, or leave her now just to have that tooth done when it needs doing and wait for the root to kill her .

I guess I know the answer really, perhaps we're too late and we have lost the tooth battle

Also for those who can't afford big things like this over many years, be careful taking bunnies off the rabbits in need section or even freeads, Zippy and Scooby, have cost me 1000's in vets over the years, thankfully affording it was never an issue for me, I have a good job, but could you imagine if I didn't. :shock:

Anyway thoughts would be good? I am not planning on having her put to sleep, my question is do I leave the root or do we risk killing her getting it out, she's fine in herself and got a good quality of life, so do I ruin it by next dental getting out root?

I will have another xray next dental, but I will need to make a dessicion while she under as to trim tooth or root out, if the root is growing backwards, I assume it is though.

Thoughts would be good?

I think I would leave it, and let her enjoy the life she has

I am thinking that too, it's so frustrating that I put her through so much and it's just possibly one/two toots left, if they were gone she wouldn't have to have anymore GA detals and all of the others are deffo gone.

When it started orignally thought they were all gone but say five teeth would come back, then six, then four and so on, my vet rang a tooth specialist vet and they told him, you removed all teeth and only four come back, how did you do it because we never had that much sucess :lol:. I don't want the root to kill her, it's so sad.

i would leave her be too.... what an awful desicion to have to make tho *huuuuugggssssss*

Yeah, it's for the best, the thing is I was just saying to someone else, with the remaining root, she will still have problems abcseses and she will still have to have ga's to have the bit in her mouth trimmed every six weeks (or however long it will need to be done). So even leaving the root, she will still have problems, where as if there was no root, it would stop, but I know the right thing is to leave it.

I feel like I've stuck between a rock and a hard place both options could lead to death and both options could cause suffering. It's heart breaking and frustrating.

SOAD said:

Yeah, it's for the best, the thing is I was just saying to someone else, with the remaining root, she will still have problems abcseses and she will still have to have ga's to have the bit in her mouth trimmed every six weeks (or however long it will need to be done). So even leaving the root, she will still have problems, where as if there was no root, it would stop, but I know the right thing is to leave it.

I feel like I've stuck between a rock and a hard place both options could lead to death and both options could cause suffering. It's heart breaking and frustrating.

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maybe you should talk to your normal vet too hun, if he/she is the one you trust they might have a different opinion on what to do and then youd feel a bit better in whatever desicion you make

Yeah I think I will, I am really split down the middle, half of me says no more and the other half says, it's one root, all the rest have gone and then I've put her through the removal of the rest for nothing, if I leave the one to kill her.

Also if they remove it and the jaw crumbles it will be under GA and she can be let go, without bring her round. If I leave it, it could potentially be a slow painful death. Oh why do I have pets

SOAD said:

Also if they remove it and the jaw crumbles it will be under GA and she can be let go, without bring her round. If I leave it, it could potentially be a slow painful death. Oh why do I have pets

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ah see now after you saying that im egding to the quick release no pain... if they op again and she does survive it.. what are the chances of it coming back?

I don't know, I think they're hard to remove as long as it's all out, it will be gone for good, but if a bit is left it could come back. The last time she had one out her jaw crumbled around it, so I do think it's quite weak now, I wish the root would just die.

awwwww hunny if only you could ask her what she wants

I know, it's so tough, hate making decissions at the best of times.

What a tough decision to make.

I think if their is a chance she could get more abscesses or her jaw could crumble I'd be tempted to leave the root and let her enjoy life as is. There are no guarantees that if they take the root away it will not come back again....

*hug*

Personally I would not put her through such major surgery.
I'd just let her bumble along with her friends, having her normal Dentals when necessary. IMO quality of life is more important than quantity. Such a big op' on an elderly lady would be much pain for relatively little, if any, gain.

I am sure you'll do whatever you feel is right for Zippy as you know her best

Janex

yeah I would leave it in - it might die off you never know, and even if it grows it won't necessarily kill her - all depends which way it grows and that will surely take a year - so she'd be at least 9yrs old by then anyway. Sadly they rarely just go to sleep and never wake up - they have to die of something, and she's already a good age considering what her life expectancy would have been with any other owner - I would just take it on a day to day basis with any rabbit this old

I think I would leave it Tree, she has had a good innings and a fantstic life with you.....and as such an old bunny any major surgery is going to have a much bigger impact on her, she wont recover like she used to.

My opinion may have been different on a younger rabbit but I think for Zippy this would be the right thing to do, though of course none of us can make a decision for you.....you've earned the right to make that decision for Zippy.

I think you should definately wait for your normal vet to come back.

It's a hard decision to make and I hope I never have to be in your decision. But if without the surgery she is going to suffer a lot of pain then I would have the surgery done even if it has a risk they will have to put her down, at least she wont feel the pain.

Aww you poor thing. It's such a horrible position to be in, but I have to say I think, given everything you've both already been through, I'd be looking at leaving her now and concentrating on her comfort until the inevitable.
It is heartbreaking, but don't lose sight of everything you have already done for her and the fact is, she simply would not be here now had you not gone to such lengths.

I have 2 dental buns and in January this year Peppers was diagnosed with abnormal bone development in his jaw ( having had dentals and finally teeth removed ). He developed an asbcess which was treated until Tuesday this week when he had to have another GA and had invasive surgery to remove the damaged bone. The vet has said that having done so, I should now start to think about how many times I should put him through it. Although I have to take it a day at a time, for as long as he is happy and bright in himself, I will carry on, but I know his time will come, so I don't try and look too far ahead. At the moment all I want is to try and give him the chance at another summer, so he can enjoy the garden and sunshine ( assuming we get some that is)!. Wish you lots of luck with her and if her time is limited, then you can take comfort from knowing you really gave her every chance at a happy life. And the full and happy life she has had is all down to you and your dedication to her. You should be applauded for what you are doing.

My Heart Goes Out To You, What A Desicion To Have To Make, I Have Nowhere Near The Expertise Of You And Other Members On Here, But I Honestly Think Id Just Keep On The Way Your Going, With Her Dentals.as Long As Zippy Is Happy....thinking Of You Xxx

My Heart REALLY Goes Out To You, What A Desicion To Have To Make, I Have Nowhere Near The Expertise Of You And Other Members On Here, But I Honestly Think Id Just Keep On The Way Your Going, With Her Dentals.as Long As Zippy Is Happy....thinking Of You Xxx