dbowes
Warren Scout
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
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