Hello,
This is a bit of a sad tale, and I'm hoping someone might be able to offer some advice, as I am feeling a bit lost.
A few months back we took on two littermates from a neighbour. I was new to keeping bunnies, having only had them as a child, so did my best to get clued up in preparation for their arrival. I bought them a lovely large two tier hutch, in which they seemed very happy. As the weather was nice and the evenings light, they were in their house at night time and 9-5, and then every evening / weekend was playtime in the garden. Late one night, i noticed a graze like wound on one of their hind legs. Earlier that day it had not been there. It didnt appear serious, but I made an appointment with the vet the following morning. He never made it. I was terrified that it was flystrike andd the poor thing had been in immense pain, but there were no maggots, and was no wound around his bottom. He was the runt of the litter, and the vet told us it was likely to be an aggressive infection that he just didnt fight. Obviously I was upset, but I had had him such a short time, and being an outdoor rabbit he hadnt yet really become part of the 'family'. I then bought the remaining bun inside, and I will freely admit that it was only then that I really appreciated what wonderful creatures rabbits really are, and I really fell in love. I was worried about him being lonely (there is noone in mon-fri 9-5), and bought a beautiful lionhead dutch cross, who was just perfect in everyway, and the two adored each other (although housed seperately as not yet neutered, they did much kissing through the bars, and had short, supervised time together). We arrived home after work this week to find my baby bun completely paralysed, rushed straight to (rabbit savvy) vet who gave him pain relief and anti-inflammatories in the hope he would improve overnight. He was put to sleep the following morning. We had him only a month. I am devastated. The vet believes he probably kicked out whilst playing in his house, and broke his back. Now my original girl is on her own once again, and is visibly cross with me. She had emptied her litter tray all over the living room floor this morning, and is being destructive. I just don't know what to do. I can't bear the thought of her being lonely, but equally, don't think I could bear the heartache of losing another.
Sorry for the essay, but I would really appreciate any thoughts you might have. I feel like a total failure.
Thankyou. x
This is a bit of a sad tale, and I'm hoping someone might be able to offer some advice, as I am feeling a bit lost.
A few months back we took on two littermates from a neighbour. I was new to keeping bunnies, having only had them as a child, so did my best to get clued up in preparation for their arrival. I bought them a lovely large two tier hutch, in which they seemed very happy. As the weather was nice and the evenings light, they were in their house at night time and 9-5, and then every evening / weekend was playtime in the garden. Late one night, i noticed a graze like wound on one of their hind legs. Earlier that day it had not been there. It didnt appear serious, but I made an appointment with the vet the following morning. He never made it. I was terrified that it was flystrike andd the poor thing had been in immense pain, but there were no maggots, and was no wound around his bottom. He was the runt of the litter, and the vet told us it was likely to be an aggressive infection that he just didnt fight. Obviously I was upset, but I had had him such a short time, and being an outdoor rabbit he hadnt yet really become part of the 'family'. I then bought the remaining bun inside, and I will freely admit that it was only then that I really appreciated what wonderful creatures rabbits really are, and I really fell in love. I was worried about him being lonely (there is noone in mon-fri 9-5), and bought a beautiful lionhead dutch cross, who was just perfect in everyway, and the two adored each other (although housed seperately as not yet neutered, they did much kissing through the bars, and had short, supervised time together). We arrived home after work this week to find my baby bun completely paralysed, rushed straight to (rabbit savvy) vet who gave him pain relief and anti-inflammatories in the hope he would improve overnight. He was put to sleep the following morning. We had him only a month. I am devastated. The vet believes he probably kicked out whilst playing in his house, and broke his back. Now my original girl is on her own once again, and is visibly cross with me. She had emptied her litter tray all over the living room floor this morning, and is being destructive. I just don't know what to do. I can't bear the thought of her being lonely, but equally, don't think I could bear the heartache of losing another.
Sorry for the essay, but I would really appreciate any thoughts you might have. I feel like a total failure.
Thankyou. x