Elvis has died

[Sweetie]

My little man passed away at 2.30pm yesterday afternoon. Im still in shock.

Im not sure if you read my other posts but he had stopped eating and going to the toilet. The vet gave him a clean bill of health on Monday evening. Tuesday evening when I got in from visiting my grandad in hospital, Elvis had taken a turn for the worst. He hadnt eaten anything at all and had started to produce a clear mucus like substance from his behind. He was in pain as he was grinding his teeth so I called the emergancy vet. They said to force feed him the science recovery powder and baby food with a syringe which i did. I set up a little area for him by my bed so I could keep an eye on him all night. I stayed up with him all night, feeding him and watching him rest. He continued to drink but i could hear him still grinding his teeth.
At 6am I phoned the emergancy vet again who said to ring the practice at 8am and make an emergancy appointment.
I took him in at 9.20. The vet diagnosed a bacterial infection and gave him two injections of antibiotics and another check over. His temperature was dropping. She gave me antibiotics to give him starting today and another science recovery sachet. She didnt sound very hopeful.
I got him home and set him up in the living room by the radiator with a hot water bottle in his bed when he lay for a few hours. I continued to feed him but after a while he refused to swallow the food and it just fell from his mouth.
At about 2.20pm he tried to get out of his bed but he could no longer use his back legs. He fell over on to his back so i put him into his carrier and rang the vet. They said to bring him in straight away but he never made it. He was lying on his hot water bottle in his carrier but continued to fall over, he was very distressed and in a lot of pain. I got outside the door and looked at him at he was fighting for breath and had started fitting. He looked at me, took on last breath but it was all to much for him and he passed away.
I went back in side and took him out of his carrier and held him. I sat for two hours on the living room floor holding him in a towel. I couldnt bare to let go. Eventually I plucked up the courage to ring the vet and made arrangements to take him to be cremated. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.

The nurse was lovely, she took me into a room on my own and said I could stay with him for as long as I wanted and to just lay him on the table when I had said goodbye.

I cant believe this has happened. He was only 11months old. My little baby.

I havent stopped crying since yesterday morning when i first took him to the vets. I could tell from the way the vet was talking to me that there wasnt much hope.

Im just glad that he died with me at home, hopefully knowing that i loved him more than anything.

He was my cheeky little man who loved nothing more than a cuddle and a kiss. He was perfect.

It hasnt even been a day yet but i feel lost and empty without you. I kept expecting you to jump on my bed and wake me up by licking my face last night, or come bounding in to the bedroom and tug at the quilt to wake me up. This morning you werent there for a morning cuddle and a kiss or to sit by the bathroom door waiting for me to finish in the shower so I could feed you and change your water. Last night, no little cuddle bun to wait by the living room door for veggies.

We were only together for just over 7months but you made me the happiest I have ever been. You made my house a home with your funny little ways and silly personality. You were loved so much. I just hope you were happy at home with me.

Youre safe now my little man, the pain has gone. I wish there was something I couldve done to take your pain away. Im sorry so you had to go in this way. I just hope you know that you were perfect and adorable and loved in everyway possible.

This was taken on the very first day I had you. I fell in love with you instantly.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/sweetie1982/newbun.jpg

Sleep tight my precious little Elvis. Mommy loves and misses you more than you will ever know.
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[BirdieBun]

OMG!!!! :shock: :shock: :shock:

I am so shocked I did not see your post saying he was not eating!

Poor you and poor Elvis my thoughts are with you, I can't believe it!

Binky free lil Elvis xxxxx :cry:

[NicolaB18]

Im so sorry to hear about lil Elvis
Rest In Peace Lil One & Binky Free!!
Reading that brougt a tear to my eye.
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Big Hugs for ya Hun! xxxx

[Mikeymoo]

Im so sorry. :cry:

Elvis had a great life with you and was loved very much. You need to take comfort in that

Big Hugs

[Lizzie]

Oh Sweetie, I am so dreadfully sorry, that must have been really awful for you, it is tragic. :cry: Poor little man but, as you say, he is free from pain now, binkying at the Bridge...run free little man.

What was wrong with him might have been similar to what Merlin had last year: I will tell you about it and how my vet treated it but not now.

[bunnylove]

sorry to hear about elvis! binky free young chap!!!!!

Eve x

[Nix]

Sorry to hear about your poor little chap, it sounds like you did everything you possibly could - it must have just been his time to go.

Binky free Elvis x

[Tahra]

So sorry to hear about Elvis.

[Phill]

Oh holly im so sorry about elvis i really am XXXx Huge hugs to you Holly XX and binky Free little Elvis XXXX

[Jettychops]

Oh, Holly I am so sorry to hear Elvis has died, I had read how worried you had been, but didn't know how to help with any advice.

Holly he was your little man and I know you will always be thinking of him, when you are feeling low in those dark hours I know it helps to think of something funny Elvis did.

You know he will be always with you where ever you go because he will be always in your heart.

Night night little Elvis (you look after your Mum from above).

Take care and love from all of us.

Jet and his clan.

[mini lop1]

:cry: ong so terribly sorry im sure u mus be terribly upset and shocked thingking of you, poor elvis

lisa

[Toby]

Aww honey I am sorry :( He wont be suffering anymore, his at peace now, and you did everything you could to help him. I am sure you made his final hours combatable for him. RIP little elvis.

[5cutebunnies]

Oh no :cry: Im so sorry to hear about Elvis big hugssssss to you xxx

Binky free Elvis xxx

[Jazzy B Bunny]

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

So sorry for your loss

Binky free lil Elvis

((Big hugs)) :cry:

[kayj]

I am so sorry to hear about Elvis and least he is at peace now and you gave him a loving, happy home for his short life. You did everthing you possibly could.
Loads of hugs and thinking of you
Kayxx

[doorkeeper]

I am so sorry to hear that poor Elvis didn't shake off whatever was troubling him. :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[lou]

oh this is so sad :( :( :( so sorry to read about elvis, was really shocked, had briefly read he was ill, but he is free of pain and suffering now, running free with so many other bunnies :) am thinking of you. Take Care x

[SOAD]

I'm so sorry, I've got his picture on my phone. Binky free little one.

[MandyM]

I'm so sorry to hear about Elvis :cry: thinking of you ((((Hugs))))

[leesabuntine]

Am so sorry Holly.
Wot a lovely little chap Elvis was....just remember all those cuddles and snuggles you got from him!
He is at peace now....binky free Elvis!
Sending you BIG HUGS

Leesa.

[anna]

I'm so sorry to read this, your tribute to him was beautiful. Will be thinking of you :cry:

[elve]

I'm really sorry to hear this Holly - my heart sank when I read your other thread and the vet's opinion was Elvis was being fussy with his food and was in good health :?

So sorry you've lost him :(

[Beebop]

Oh hun, I am so sorry your lil man passed away! :cry: I am sending you big hugs!! At least he isn't suffering anymore!

[Sweetie]

Thank You for all your kind words everyone.

Im still in shock. I keep thinking that I could have done more to help him.

[bunnytales]

Awww Holly sending you a huge hug - all of us that have loved and lost bunnies and much loved animals on here know so well how they touch your heart and the devastation when they pass to the Bridge.

Its early days for you yet honey and you will naturally feel low and sad and miss your little boy soooo much but eventually you will be able to have a giggle at the fun times you spent with Elvis and you never know you may even open your heart to give another little bunny a loving home - we never replace those we loose as they are all so individual but little Elvis would be well proud of his mum I'm sure, but only you will know when and if you feel ready for this step.

Grazing with our spirit bunnies - binky free little Elvis. X

[sarsimp]

So sorry to hear about little Elvis - we all look back and wonder "what if" its natural - but you did everything you could - my thoughts are with youxx

[Rallybunny]

So sorry to hear your sad news, {{{{{Hugs}}}}}

[gina paul]

i am so sorry to hear about elvis . poor baby , he fought so hard and had a struggle at the end . he was at home and knew he was loved but his little body sounded like it could take no more . I,m truly devastated for you - as you will know , i lost cheekybun on 15th july and i,m still hurting but it is so sad to hear of another passing over as it just reminds me again that my little boy has gone too . xxxx

[Joob-joobs]

*hug*

I'm sorry to hear about your wee boy going to the bridge. I've not been on much recently and I didn't know he was ill.

He had a great life with you and he knew he was loved, he will live on in your memories.

*binky free Elvis*

[Diddeen]

aawww Holly.. im so sorry to hear Elvis has passed over the bridge :cry: Hugs to you.. binky free Elvis. I am sure Elvis knew you loved him so much and it sounds like you certainly did everything you could have done.

[loopylop]

OMG, I am so sorry Holly :cry: :cry: :cry:

We are thinking of you here and big hugs to you all xxxxx

[Mark and Shell]

Sending you lots of love, in our thoughts, binky free little manxx

[Lind80]

I'm so sorry to hear about Elvis :(

[Amethyst]

I'm so sorry. :-( Poor little bunny. I cried when I read your post. It sounds like he had such a happy life and he loved you very much - he always will. He will be waiting at the bridge to pull off your duvet cover!

AMETHYST

[bunnyhuggger]

:( I'm so sorry Holly *hug*

~ Binky free wee man, take our love to all the spirit buns ~

[Charliesangel]

Oh my, I'm so sorry. He was so young.
I lost my first rabbit when he was 11 months, actually 4 days before he turned one. It hurt me, a lot. I still think about him often, and all he did for me. So just remember that we are here for you, and a lot of us have been through the same thing. When I joined here, it helped me a lot, so I help we can help too!
Elvis will always be remembered and missed xxx

Binky free Elvis...

[Denny]

sorry to hear this sad news Holly :cry: :cry: They take such a big piece of our heart when they leave us but they always in our thoughts

run free little Elvis xxx

[Sweetie]

Thank You everyone. You have all been amazing. Im still crying most of the time and havent slept since he passed away but having all your support has made the world of difference to me.

I went to the vets last night to pay Elvis` last bill and to find out if my little man had been taken to the crematorium. Derek, from the crem came yesterday afternoon and took him away so im expecting a phonecall any day now asking what I want to do with his ashes.

I asked the vet if there was any way of knowing how Elvis caught a bacterial infection but she said with out a post mortem we would never know. I couldnt bare to think if my poor little baby going through that so now ill never really know for sure how he died.
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[Sweetie]

Ive just done a search on the internet for 'bacterial infections in rabbits' to try and find out more about what took my little man away.

I came up with this
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html

It looks as though he had GI Statis.

By reading this info there are things i couldve done to prevent him passing away if I had have known it was GI Statis earlier.

I blame myself for his death
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[Phill]

Holly don't blaim yourself your vet gave Elvis a clean bill of health you weren't to know. You asked on the forum here and stumped us DO NOT BLAIM YOURSELF!

[Sweetie]

Thank You Phill xxxxx

i know i shouldnt blame myself but im always going to think 'what if'.

I thought about getting a new little bun last night but then when i got home and looked at all Elvis` things i felt guilty and as if i was just forgetting about him.

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[Phill]

You will never forget him Holly just give yourself a bit of time to greive for him. XXXXX

[Jettychops]

Holly,

Please don't blame yourself, I know Elvis would not want that.

You did everything you possibly could for Elvis, I read all your posts how worried you were.

Your love for Elvis will never cease.

You are not being unfaithful to Elvis thinking about getting another bunny,
all I can say is you, when you are ready, you will giving another little chap/chappes a loving home.

Take care.

the Jetty clan.

[BirdieBun]

Only just read this I can not believe you blame yourself dont you dare! :shock:

You can always say what if but the fact is he went downhill that fast and you will always be aware if his symptoms now for future :wink:

[Jack]

I am so so sorry to hear you sad news. It has brought back the still painful memory of exactly the same thing happening to my Jack only 5 weeks ago. He became suddenly ill and ran a temperature initially. The vet treated him for the high temp and sent him home but he rapidly went down hill and lost the use of his rear end. Seeing him trying to move broke my heart. Unfortuntaely he died at the vets only 20 mins after we took him back there, if I realised they could not do anything I would have kept him home with me. Like yours he was gone within two days of falling ill and like you I was devistated. Jack was 3 years old.

If anyone out there knows what this problem is and can warn us how to aviod or treat it please please let us know.

Tina

[Happy Hopping]

You made my house a home with your funny little ways and silly personality.

wow...that's very well said. That's how I felt in the years with all my bunnies. And currently, after my rabbit passed away the other week, I am doing the very same self-blame as you are.

In the end, I said to myself there is nothing wrong of blaming myself, because if there were something that could have been done, the NEXT many rabbits that I'll raise can be benefited from that knowledge. So even the death of my current bunny means something.

So I see nothing wrong w/ blaming myself. But having said that, knowing the cause of death is most likely GI stasis, did you find out what cause the GI stasis, because on that link, it says:

(1) stress, (2) dehydration, (3) pain from another underlying disorder or illness (such as gas, dental problems, infections, or urinary tract disorders) (4) an intestinal blockage or, (5) insufficient dietary crude fiber

So find out whether it is (3) (4) or (5), and get to the bottom of it. That's what I would do.

Very sorry to hear your rabbit passed away so young.

[Sweetie]

So I see nothing wrong w/ blaming myself. But having said that, knowing the cause of death is most likely GI stasis, did you find out what cause the GI stasis, because on that link, it says:

(1) stress, (2) dehydration, (3) pain from another underlying disorder or illness (such as gas, dental problems, infections, or urinary tract disorders) (4) an intestinal blockage or, (5) insufficient dietary crude fiber

So find out whether it is (3) (4) or (5), and get to the bottom of it. That's what I would do.

Very sorry to hear your rabbit passed away so young.

After Elvis had died I asked the vets if they could tell me what caused the 'infection' as they called it. They said they didnt know and would have to perform a PM if i wanted to know. My brain told me to have it done but my heart just shouted no. Elvis had such a terrible last few hours of pain, i just wanted him to be peaceful and safe. I know many of you wouldve had the PM but i just couldnt do it to my little man, he had suffered enough.

I know it wasnt (5) because his diet was fine, the vet checked for (4) and said everything was fine, and (5) well, i dont know, the vet said his teeth were fine, there was no bloat or gas, they only thing they said was a 'bacterial infection'.

So, im still at a loss as to what took my Elvis from me.

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[Lizzie]

It is hard and you do always wonder in that sort of situation if there was something else you could have done. I know I went through it with Charlie who had been anorexic for some time - I used to give him oats to encourage him but never actually syringe-fed him and I wondered if I should have. I did have PM done on him but it was inconclusive so I still didn't have any answers and the same could have happened to you and I can understand that you felt his little body had been through enough. Sometimes I think you just have to reflect "Who knows?" Our little ones are taken and there is no explanation.... I truly don't think you should blame yourself, you do the best you can and you do what you think is right at the time, there is only so much, even in this day and age, that medical science can achieve - don't beat yourself up, your little chap wouldn't have wanted you to do that. :wink: I don't know about you but one of the best ways to explain how I feel is to say that "I feel cheated and robbed of my special little friend". :cry:

[xoxbunnyxox]

awww i am so sorry...
i had a bunny die at the beggining of this summer...
i no just how it feels except we found Flora dead in her cage...
Poor Elvis...RIP little man...


:( :( :cry: :cry:

[elve]

I definitely blame myself for Pepsi's death - I'd do things differently now if I had the chance...But I get so much pleasure from watching my 5 girls tearing around and binkying in the sunshine - they'd only ever known a cramped hutch before, and if the rescue hadn't taken them in would likely have become snake food...And seeing them eat grass for the first time etc - None of that would have been possible if Pepsi hadn't died, so I take comfort that some good came out of it.

[BirdieBun]

oh please dont all say you blame yourselves :cry:

[Marlene]

I hope you are feeling a little better now Holly. I see how devasted you were losing Elvis and wondering what you could have done. I am glad all the caring experts rallied round and told you not to blame yourself. I am sorry coming to you so late and hope I don't make you feel ....... you know what I mean. Thinking of you

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/Marlene_154/Hug%20and%20things/fairy.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/Marlene_154/Hug%20and%20things/Binky_Free_x_27630.gif

[katokym]

i am so sorry to hear the Elvis has gone over the bridge.
it has brought tears to my eyes reading your post.
He looks such a handsome bunny.