Preparing for the inevitable :(

Hi,

Unfortunately our Jessica was diagnosed with particularly bad arthritis. She has been on metacam for a while now and has been coping. She took a turn for the worse the other day and was rushed to the vets but this may have been just a case of bloat as she has returned to how she was. She is very thin but we are trying our best to fatten her up. She is coming up 4 so not that old.

She still has her appetite and still likes to groom Jaspy but the vet is concerned and has hinted that we need to think about the best course of action. She sits hunched a lot and doesn't lie down anymore and the vet says she must be in discomfort. I know rabbits hide how poorly they really are but she still has that little spark in her when the treat box is opened and while she is like that there is obviously no decision to make.

When the time comes, I want to know what is best for a bonded pair? They are very much in love which is obviously going to make any decision much harder. I've read that you should leave them together so the other one has chance to accept and grieve, is this correct? I'm not sure how we can do this if we are taking her to be put to sleep. Should we take Jaspy with her and bring him home on his own so he knows she is gone?

I'm asking the question now as I want to be ready and not sure what state of mind I'll be in at the time but still hoping it is a little way off yet.

Thanks

Dan

I can't answer your question but I wanted to reply to let you know that I am thinking of you. I know how hard it is to make that decision.

Thank you

So sorry for your rabbit, and you of course. I have had many rabbits "go" in their hutch together with their partner and many pts on their own at the Vets, leaving them there, and I really can't say I have noticed any difference. Some bunnies carry on as normal not seeming to miss their friend, a few noticeably miss them, but in every case the bereaved bunny pulls through. Only one nearly died but 2 sisters took him under their wings and he came through it. He absolutely was besotted by his wifebun and stopped eating when she died. But I think this is the exception rather than the rule.

I hope everything goes well in the future.

tonibun said:

So sorry for your rabbit, and you of course. I have had many rabbits "go" in their hutch together with their partner and many pts on their own at the Vets, leaving them there, and I really can't say I have noticed any difference. Some bunnies carry on as normal not seeming to miss their friend, a few noticeably miss them, but in every case the bereaved bunny pulls through. Only one nearly died but 2 sisters took him under their wings and he came through it. He absolutely was besotted by his wifebun and stopped eating when she died. But I think this is the exception rather than the rule.

I hope everything goes well in the future.

Click to expand...

Thank you. I suppose it is the better way round, not that I have a favourite. Jessica completely dotes on Jaspy, always wedging her head into him and constantly grooming him. I think she would miss him more than the other way round. He is very docile so more likely to get on with it but who knows.

Loads of hugs... Xxxxxxxxxx