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My 7 year old bunny just got put to sleep, fly strike. what now?

Zella

New Kit
Hi, i could really use some advice. or maybe really I just need to say this somewhere where people will understand how horrific this has been.
I've had my bunny Pepper since i was 15, she was just about to turn 7. I just had to put her to sleep today. She's had problems with her back leg and cleaning herself since last winter, but after a trial of medication last month, she seemed to be doing so much better. She was skipping about her run every day, even though her leg was still dragging a bit and she was still having trouble cleaning herself. Last night at about 11pm I went to check on her and give her a few dandelion leaves and she was absolutely fine, hopping round and eating and everything. But then this morning I checked on her and she was just collapsed on her side :( She was breathing shallow and her legs looked filthy. When I looked at them/lifted them up I saw maggots on her. I could actually see them moving on/in her. It was the most upsetting thing I've ever seen. She didn't have a trace of them the night before. I can't believe this happened. I immediately took her to the vet - although I could tell she was dying. She looked in so much pain and so sad. She was put to sleep within ten minutes of the vet looking at her. I can't put into words how horrifying seeing maggots on her was. She's been my little sweet natured, gentle girl since I was 15 :( I feel so so guilty and can't imagine how much pain she was in. I can't believe it happened, that I let that happen.

i don't really know what to do now. i don't know how to forget that horrible end to such a lovely little girl :(

she loved nose rubs & dandelion leaves. she didn't hate much at all <3
bunnayayay.jpg
 
Aaw I'm so sorry that this happened, flystrike happens so quickly that there is really not much you can do. She was obviously loved so much, don't blame yourself, it wasn't your fault, just remember the lovely 7 years she had with you Xx
 
I am so sorry that this has happened to your beautiful girl :cry: Flystrike is horrible.
 
You need to keep everthing super clean to avoid Flystrike. Especially in the summer. In the summer you need to check your rabbits bottom regularly and ideally clean 2x a day.

I also have those sticky fly traps against flies.

Very sorry you lost your rabbit, she was absolutely gorgeous.
 
So sorry that you lost her. It's a good reminder to us all to keep a close check on our bunnies, hopefully you can take some comfort that in telling her tale you are helping to keep other bunnies safe. Hugs xxx
 
Fly strike takes hold so fast :( I've heard from others how distressing it is to see you rabbit with this, I'm truly sorry you experienced it.

Sweet dreams to your beautiful, gentle girl
 
So sorry this happened :(. It must have been very distressing for you, try to think of all the good years you had with her x
 
I'm so sorry that you lost her in such a distressing way :(

Sleep tightly little one xxx
 
Hi, i could really use some advice. or maybe really I just need to say this somewhere where people will understand how horrific this has been.
I've had my bunny Pepper since i was 15, she was just about to turn 7. I just had to put her to sleep today. She's had problems with her back leg and cleaning herself since last winter, but after a trial of medication last month, she seemed to be doing so much better. She was skipping about her run every day, even though her leg was still dragging a bit and she was still having trouble cleaning herself. Last night at about 11pm I went to check on her and give her a few dandelion leaves and she was absolutely fine, hopping round and eating and everything. But then this morning I checked on her and she was just collapsed on her side :( She was breathing shallow and her legs looked filthy. When I looked at them/lifted them up I saw maggots on her. I could actually see them moving on/in her. It was the most upsetting thing I've ever seen. She didn't have a trace of them the night before. I can't believe this happened. I immediately took her to the vet - although I could tell she was dying. She looked in so much pain and so sad. She was put to sleep within ten minutes of the vet looking at her. I can't put into words how horrifying seeing maggots on her was. She's been my little sweet natured, gentle girl since I was 15 :( I feel so so guilty and can't imagine how much pain she was in. I can't believe it happened, that I let that happen.

i don't really know what to do now. i don't know how to forget that horrible end to such a lovely little girl :(

she loved nose rubs & dandelion leaves. she didn't hate much at all <3
bunnayayay.jpg

How tragic :cry: I am very sorry. Flystrike can take a Rabbit in a matter of hours and sometimes even the most vigilant care giver may not get there in time. I know that at the moment all you can think of is Pepper's final hour. But in time, whilst you will never forget that, you will be able to remember all the happy times you shared. I dont think she would want you to only remember the awful last hour of her life. I wont say 'dont blame yourself' because I think we all do blame ourselves when a tragedy occurs. Even if in reality there was nothing that could have been done to prevent it.
 
I am so very sorry. We have had two get flystrike, one survived, one didn't. Both times the rabbits were checked just a couple of hours before hand and all seemed fine. It happens so quickly :( You didn't let it happen, it just happened. It sounds like your rabbit had the best of care and a happy life.

Having seen maggots on our bunny I know the distress it brings to witness it and the nightmares that follow :( but try not to be too hard on yourself.
 
You need to keep everthing super clean to avoid Flystrike. Especially in the summer. In the summer you need to check your rabbits bottom regularly and ideally clean 2x a day.

I also have those sticky fly traps against flies.

Very sorry you lost your rabbit, she was absolutely gorgeous.

It can happen so much quicker than that. Otis was bathed and blow dried in the morning. His genital area was throughly checked at 3pm. He was fed at 5pm and all was fine. By 7pm he has flystrike. He also had flyscreen on the window in his room.
 
I'm so very sorry, that must have been such an awful shock. Your bunny was loved and had a happy life, try and hang on to that. R.I.P. little bunny xxxxx
 
Thank you so, so much to everyone for your kind words. it means so much for your love and thoughts for Pepper. She was the kindest soul and I just wanted someone to know who would understand what the loss meant - as some people around me just don't. Thank you all again <3
 
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