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How do you all cope with a sick rabbit?

GrahamL

Wise Old Thumper
I've read so many threads of people nursing rabbits through some horrendous things, bless them.

How do you cope?

You all have my utmost respect.
 
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Cope? What's this coping you speak of?! :p

I think the worst thing I've dealt with was Jess's EC. I didn't cope at all. I got incredibly ratty with her when she twisted and screwed herself in stupid shapes when I picked her up and I swore blue murder when I couldn't get her to stand up when I put her back down... but you just have to bite your lip and get on with it.

That's not very inspirational is it?! :oops::lol:
 
I think that it's a case of just nursing and praying, I cope because I have to with so many chronically sick bunnies here

I think that the most important thing is to recognise what is normal behaviour for each individual bunny, I have bunnies that do things which is normal to them and we know how to treat it and so I don't worry too much, I just get on with doing whatever I do to make them better.

For example, I have Andy and Enzo who suffer severe bouts of sneezing, both were taken to a specialist in Hampshire and Andy was diagnosed with Frontal Sinusitus, he had his nose drilled in order to drain all the much and rubbish, I now know what signs to look for and judge whether it's serious or just a bout a sneezing that we can can through with whatever meds are prescribed by my vet.

You are already recognising signs from Ginger and the most important thing is not to fret around her, rabbits pick up on our moods and she will know instantly that you are fretting and worrying and will respond accordingly, that really is a fact and with so many sick bunnies I never let them see that I am worrying, even when I know we are near the end, this is how I am able to to deal with it for them

Sorry this is so long.........

Good luck and plenty of vibes for Ginger x
 
I think that you just have to get on with it, and realise that you are doing your best to help your little one.

I find it hard going to work when i know that my baby is sick. It was worst when Kermit & Inca (sep. times) had EC. I knew that they could get themselves in a state and i wouldnt be at home, but i had to go to work :(

They are tough wee cookies and manage through a lot.
 
Cope? What's this coping you speak of?! :p

I think the worst thing I've dealt with was Jess's EC. I didn't cope at all. I got incredibly ratty with her when she twisted and screwed herself in stupid shapes when I picked her up and I swore blue murder when I couldn't get her to stand up when I put her back down... but you just have to bite your lip and get on with it.

That's not very inspirational is it?! :oops::lol:

This exactly! When Mimi had her head tilt it was exhausting, frustrating and draining both physically and mentally. And yes there were even times Id feel frustrated with HER for rolling and twisting when I was trying to give her her meds, and just not getting better :shock: Of course I knew it wasnt her fault and never got angry at her but it was really hard esp when youre so tired aswell. OH had to walk away a few times and have a good shout or cry
elsewhere which was his way of coping. I nearly went crazy, the only people I saw for weeks were my OH and my vet on a daily basis. The rest of my time was spent with her, holding her up, comforting her and nursing her. I wouldnt say it was coping, I just had no other choice. I was so damn worried she wouldnt make it. When she started getting better though, best feeling in the world :D
 
I cope because I have a lovely Hubby. I get very down about Bluebell, always fretting whether I am fair to keep putting him through it all and whether he'll still be with us when I get home from work. Hubby isn't so emotionally attached so he can look at things from a different point a view, get a better perspective I guess and support me.
 
I have had two rabbits who needed pts in the last year. They both had massive internal problems which were totally untreatable. Sonic had an abnormal heart and lungs which hadn't developed properly. Mittens was completely unable to absorb any nutrients from her food. She was skin and bones when I got her but had diarrhoea if fed anything other than hay. This was fine for a while and I made sure she was weighed regularly. Eventually she started losing more weight and the little muscle she did have started wasting away. It was heartbreaking going to the vet every few days, trying one more thing but knowing deep down it wouldn't work.

I know, rationally, that both of these rabbits were very sick and I did everything I could for them. Irrationally i feel extremely guilty that i have had two buns in my care who have needed pts and i must be doing something wrong. I think you just get on with nursing them and don't really stop to think about it until it's over, either they're better or you've lost them.
 
I find the waiting rooms the worst. :oops:

When Mischa was seriously ill I found it upsetting to see him rolling in his cage so most of the time he sat with me, he was much more comfortable with me which was lovely.
 
Maisie and Marvin have been in good health since we've had them and fingers crossed it stays that way until their both 20 years old :D...but if anything was wrong with either of them I don't think i'd cope at all.

Fairplay to everyone who stays up until the late hours nursing their rabbits back to health.
 
Oh and btw Graham you're doing a stellar job with Ginger. Its so draining having a sick bun but as usual you are coping so well. Shes a lucky bun to have you in her corner :D

MattyP, so glad you've not had a sick bun yet:) Rest assured if it does happen you will cope. I used to read other peoples head tilt bun stories and think, oh my god that must be horrific, theres no way I could cope with seeing my bun in that state. But when the time came, I did :D
 
You have to, since a bunny knows when you're upset. If the bun feels you've given up they may. You just have to be strong. I remember when I thought I was going to lose Loli; I saved my tears for uni..so she never had to see. :oops:
 
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