I've got a 10 year old female lop rabbit. She was originally my daughter's pet, but she's grown up now and I've kind of adopted the rabbit.
She has always lived in a hutch outside, and seems to have no problem with cold weather. But she's getting old and I'm going to need to make some changes or make "that decision" soon.
She has two problems, which may be related. About five years ago, she got into a tussle with another rabbit (we were trying to find her a companion, but it didn't work out). She ended up unable to move her back legs, and reluctant to eat. At this point, the vet thought we'd have to put her to sleep, but we fed her with a syringe for a couple of weeks, and she managed to pull through. But now the signs of that old injury have returned, and she now drags one of her back legs. She's also not able to keep herself clean, and ends up with a wet and dirty bottom.
On the plus side, she's still eating well, and is happy to see me. She still likes to go for a run outside the hutch, but is now much easier to catch when it's time to go back in.
I'm wondering if I should bring her indoors now, and wash and dry her to to keep her clean. I'd like her to have another living summer, but I don't know if that's going to be possible. So I'm wondering whether it's time to let her go.
Are there any guidelines on caring for older rabbits that may be reaching the end of their life, and how to decide when it's best to call it a day?
She has always lived in a hutch outside, and seems to have no problem with cold weather. But she's getting old and I'm going to need to make some changes or make "that decision" soon.
She has two problems, which may be related. About five years ago, she got into a tussle with another rabbit (we were trying to find her a companion, but it didn't work out). She ended up unable to move her back legs, and reluctant to eat. At this point, the vet thought we'd have to put her to sleep, but we fed her with a syringe for a couple of weeks, and she managed to pull through. But now the signs of that old injury have returned, and she now drags one of her back legs. She's also not able to keep herself clean, and ends up with a wet and dirty bottom.
On the plus side, she's still eating well, and is happy to see me. She still likes to go for a run outside the hutch, but is now much easier to catch when it's time to go back in.
I'm wondering if I should bring her indoors now, and wash and dry her to to keep her clean. I'd like her to have another living summer, but I don't know if that's going to be possible. So I'm wondering whether it's time to let her go.
Are there any guidelines on caring for older rabbits that may be reaching the end of their life, and how to decide when it's best to call it a day?