YOUR ADVICE PLEASE - Buddy's gone to heaven ...........

My rabbit started to develop cataracts in both eyes. I took him to the vets who diagnosed him as having EC. He showed no signs of EC apart from the cataracts until a few months later where he developed head tilt.

We took him to the vets who said it looked like head tilt and not an ear infection so she prescribed him a course of anti-biotics which had no affect so we took him back and she gave him another course, this time an intensive course.

Unfortunately, he got worse and didn't even attempt to get up. I knew my baby had given up the fight.

I took him to the vets and she said there were 3 options ... 1 was to keep him hospitalised and maybe he would improve, . 2 was to take blood tests but the results took up to 3 weeks to come back and she couldn't promise they would be able to do anything with the results and 3 was to be kind and put him to sleep. I made the hardest decision i have ever had to make and I chose the latter. I couldn't see him suffer anymore although I can't help feeling though that maybe i could of done more to help him. I feel so sad and guilty. I just wanted reassurance really that i did the right thing. He was only a year old.

Thanks.
Cheryl

If he was no longer able to stand up then I think you did the right thing in the end. Damage done by E.C. is permanent rather than recoverable.

However I'm not sure if your vet gave your bunny the best possible treatment in the first instance :?. Most vets these days treat EC with Panacur which is a worming treatment rather than an antibiotic. Did you vet mention this at all?

Yes i wormed him with Panacur and also 3 months previous to that. I don't think my vet knew alot about rabbits though and i just wish i could turn back time and take him a specialist.

You did what you thought was right at the time, and for the best, and that means just that, it was right and you did what you thought was best.

Try not to second guess what you did or over analyse because you completely did what you thought was right for him, and that's all anyone can do at the time

He was lucky to have a shorter loved life, than a longer loved life, but in pain and struggling.

I think you did the right thing.

x

Sky-O said:

You did what you thought was right at the time, and for the best, and that means just that, it was right and you did what you thought was best.

Try not to second guess what you did or over analyse because you completely did what you thought was right for him, and that's all anyone can do at the time

He was lucky to have a shorter loved life, than a longer loved life, but in pain and struggling.

I think you did the right thing.

x

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Thanks so much for your kind words. I'm just finding it so difficult without him. I loved him dearly.

it is alwasy hard when a loved one passes be it animal or human. take comfort in that by having him put down he will not suffer. if you really are worried about teh vets knowledge then if you go on to erscue a rabbit in the future adn tehre are many loverly buns who could maybe help your heart heal then many of us wll happily reccomend a rabbit savvy vet. i think you did what you could at teh time and i hope that in time you will have more furrys to love again xxx

Grief is such a hard thing to go through. It leaves us with so many emotions, one of which is guilt, which is probably what you are feeling now. How long ago did he die?

If you ever want a chat (I'd love to hear about Buddy, or anything else you feel you want/need to talk about), feel free to PM me. If you want someone anonymous, maybe try this. http://www.bluecross.org.uk/web/site/AboutUs/PetBereavement/PBSSIntro.asp

Have you posted about Buddy in the Rainbow Bridge Forum? I haven't looked, sorry if you have posted.

You have done everything you possibly could for Buddy right to the end and that make you a very special person. Don't question yourself as you did what was best for Buddy.
Take carex

Sky-O said:

Grief is such a hard thing to go through. It leaves us with so many emotions, one of which is guilt, which is probably what you are feeling now. How long ago did he die?

If you ever want a chat (I'd love to hear about Buddy, or anything else you feel you want/need to talk about), feel free to PM me. If you want someone anonymous, maybe try this. http://www.bluecross.org.uk/web/site/AboutUs/PetBereavement/PBSSIntro.asp

Have you posted about Buddy in the Rainbow Bridge Forum? I haven't looked, sorry if you have posted.

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That's very kind of you thank you.

I'm so sorry to hear you had to make such a heartbreaking decision. As a caring owner it is never, never an easy one. You will always question yourself after, and think of what if's, or that maybe you could have done more, but in reality that is not always the case. There is no point in keep torturing yourself over it, you took the decision that you believed was right at the time to save your bunny from any further suffering, and that was an admirable thing to do.

Sending you hugs at this sad time x

bunlover said:

it is alwasy hard when a loved one passes be it animal or human. take comfort in that by having him put down he will not suffer. if you really are worried about teh vets knowledge then if you go on to erscue a rabbit in the future adn tehre are many loverly buns who could maybe help your heart heal then many of us wll happily reccomend a rabbit savvy vet. i think you did what you could at teh time and i hope that in time you will have more furrys to love again xxx

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Yes i will definately contact you guys again in the future. Thank you.

kayj said:

You have done everything you possibly could for Buddy right to the end and that make you a very special person. Don't question yourself as you did what was best for Buddy.
Take carex

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Thank you all for your kind words and support. It means such alot

I'm so sorry that you have lost dear little Buddy.Pleas don't feel guilty you obliviously did every thing you could to help him.Sleep tight little Buddy

Maizey said:

I'm so sorry that you have lost dear little Buddy.Pleas don't feel guilty you obliviously did every thing you could to help him.Sleep tight little Buddy

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Thank you.

many of us have been in your position and it is normal to feel guilty and wonder if you could have done more. You obviously loved your bunny very much and did what you thought was right at for him at the time. A decision like that is very hard to make and you did it out of love. try and rememeber your happy times together and the pain will get easier,
binky free buddy

so sorry R.I.P