Much Loved Bunny, death = guilt!

Hello,

This is my first time on this forum and hope that you can help with my guilt, or confirm that i am thinking right?!

My dear bunny Frankie, who was going to be 7 yrs old in July passed away on Monday afternoon.

She was a beautiful, very large, friendly dwarf rabbit who lived in-doors and had plenty of love and attention from me. Even though she didn't have a run attached to her cage, she was able to exercise around the house for about 30 minutes every morning, and at least 2 hours every evening.. and much longer on weekends!.. She didn't like being picked up (she was a big bunny), but was quite happy to cuddle up next to me on the floor whilst I smoothed her head and ears. - She would lick me in return or tug at my trousers for more!

Last Tuesday, Frankie seemed to go off of her food and I noticed that there wasn't any fresh poo.. nothing of the soft variety either.
(I always feed her favourite dark greens as well as a small amount of dry food morning and night, and a rabbit treat every friday). - Fresh water is always available, as well as a small bird seed bowl with water for quick access.

I new she was a little quiet but thought it might just be one of her moody times. She was still very keen to jump out of her cage and come into the lounge with me, and she didn't seem in any pain.

Wednesday was pretty much the same (with a small amount of food eaten but no dry - intake of water was fine) and I was getting increasingly worried.

Thursday morning very small flecks of poo encased in a jelly-like ball...
I was extremely worried and so I called the vets to make an appointment with our specialist... But she wasn't back in until the following Tuesday?!!

I have had experience with the other available vets but they seem more dog orientated and I didn't want an unfamiliar vet attending to my adored rabbit to just ask me to come back a 2nd time, as well as having to go through a huge effort to get Frankie in her carrier which would stress her out. - So I booked the appointment for Tuesday.

Bought Frankie some Pro-Biotic powder to add to her water and gave her all the attention I could.

Thursday afternoon was better. Frankie had her appetite back and seemed like normal.. apart from the poo.

I don't know why I didn't just take her to the vets as I know not going to the toilet is dangerous, especially with rabbits' digestive system, but somehow, I felt she was well enough to justify waiting until the Tuesday. - My partner felt the same too and he loves her just as much.

Poo remained the same for Friday & Saturday which is when I discovered from online research, that she was suffering from GI Statis : (

Reading advice for GI Statis, I fed Frankie basil, mint, parsley, carrot, apple to try and moisten her 'food ball'. I also fed her some watered down pineapple juice as it contains something that can break up the particles and stimulate the gut again.

I don't know why I didn't listen to my head, but I still didn't call the vets as I just wanted our usual vet to treat Frankie.. and she seemed fit and active enough to hold on?!

Sunday morning came and I was still torn and had the emergency vet number in my hand... But I still didn't call!

Frankie was out all day and night Sunday.. for 15 hours in fact!
In the afternoon I was massaging her abdomen and a second jelly blob appeared with small flecks of poo. - i thought it may have been working, as other poo's were slightly bigger than before and she seemed perky.

For the entire day, Frankie was happy in the lounge by the fire having lots of attention, and being covered by a towel like a baby. Sunday night eating was fine too .

Monday morning was the same, no poo, but absolutely fine with food, movement and temperament. She didn't seem in any pain and didn't show any signs at any time... Which is why I think I didn't get her to the vets sooner.

Things were looking brighter and I couldn't wait to get Frankie to the vets on Tuesday to see Rebecca for an x-ray, some medicene and normal poo again!.

But sad to say, when I arrived home on Monday evening at 6pm, Frankie had passed away, she was still warm : (

I was/am devastated and heart broken, and so is my partner.

She was laid stretched out with her belly pressed to the bottom of her cage.. Seeing her like this, (however sweet and content she would normally look laying out), reminded my of the GI Statis article that stated rabbits with abdominal pain would press their bellies to the ground. - Why didn't she show more signs earlier?.. or why didn't I stay home so that I could see the signs to rush her to the vets?... I sound so ignorant, and can't help but blame myself and think 'what if'.

Left with shock, hurt and a broken heart, we buried Frankie in a box full of hay and her favourite treats. She is out in the garden now which she adored, and I plan to plant the most beautiful flowers around her. She will never be forgotten.

Can people let me know if I should blame myself for her death, if these things just happen and we just have to learn, or should I reflect on how she had a very good life whilst she was here? Was Frankie old and likely to suffer from a more painful, drawn-out illness? Was 6, almost 7 a good age? And if I had got her to the vets for treatment, would she have suffered with further bouts of illness, in which case it's better that she didn't suffer for long? - She also had a lump on her mamery gland which the vet was keeping an eye on, but again this could have been a much more painful end.

I feel so guilty, and lost without my companion who relied on me and gave me a routine.. Did I let her down?

I need confirmation : (

You will be very missed Frankie, my sweetie, and I'm sure you know it!

Sorry for the long entry!
Melanie

Oh my God.....you didn't let her down!!!! It sounds as if she had so much love. Whenever we lose a pet, we always spend so much time feeling guilty and blaming ourselves. I lost a dear friend to flystrike.....oh...how I blamed myself.

Don't do the blame game....just remember all the fun and happiness you had with your dear bunny friend.

With love Paula XX

I am so very sorry that Frankie passed away

As you will have probably now found out GI Stasis always needs prompt Veterinary treatment. Sometimes a Bunny in stasis will appear 'ok in themself' and can make us believe that they are not that poorly. But when a Buns GI tract stops working the Liver begins to fail due to a condition called Hepatic Lipidosis. Basically lots of fat gets deposited in the Liver and the Liver then cannot function. This can happen in a very short time-12 hours even. And if the Bun has a lot of body fat in the first place the onset can be even quicker.

You did what you believed to be the right thing at the time given the information you had. Hindsight is a very powerful tool and we all ask ourself 'what if.....'

You obviously loved Frankie dearly and gave her a good life for 7 years. Its impossible to say if Frankie would have survived had you taken her to a Vet. If she was an entire Doe then she may have had a Uterine Cancer and the GI stasis was SECONDARY to that (GI stasis is more often a secondary symptom than a primary illness)
I think you have done your best and with the wisdom of hindsight would have gone to the Vet. But there is no guarantee that Frankie would have got better.
Over the years I have made some terrible mistakes with my Rabbits. But I have tried to always learn from those mistakes or misjudgements.

You did what you thought was right at the time which is really all any of us can do

Janex

Oh blimey, please don't blame yourself.

Frankie sounds like she was very well looked after and you did what you thought was best for your girl.

A similar thing happened to me with my beloved bunny George although he was only 9 months old when he passed away. It is hard not to blame yourself but you really shouldn't. It will eat you up.

Rest in peace Frankie x

I'm so sorry for your loss.x Unfortunately I think many of us have learnt the hard way that bunnies just cannot hold on til..... I lost a bun to GI and knowing what I know now I feel terrible - I didn't even know then that a bun grinding it's teeth means they're in pain - I did all I could for him given my knowledge at the time and that is what I have to hold on to and I think you'll have to do the same. Feeling guilty isn't going to bring her back but should a bun show the same symptoms again you'll know what to do - Another of my buns got GI after I lost Alfie and I just rushed him to the local vets - he wasn't even registered there and I'd never seen the vet before but he saved my buns life and for that I will always be grateful.

In short no - don't blame yourself for her death, yes learn and yes reflect on the good life she had, remember how much you loved her and how much she loved you, and know she is pain free now.x

I totally agree with lynda_m.

So sorry you lost Frankie.
x

Im very sorry you lost Frankie

As others have said its easy to say what we could have done in hindsight but you mustnt blame yourself. I lost a bunn to what seems to have been GI stasis at Christmas Despite two visits to the vet and seeming to be better he died It broke my heart and I still torture myself over what I could have done

I am so sorry.

Please don't feel guilty, I'm sure you did everything you could have done, you obviously loved her very much, and I'm certain Frankie knew that!

Thinking of you xxx

I lost my boy Marley to gut problems, it's so heartbreaking and I still wonder if there was something else I could of done, but he decided he'd had enough of being with us and it was time to move on.


It's not your fault at all, but I know that wont make it any easier to deal with

PS seven year old is a good age for a bunny, so you should be proud of yourself, she was always wanted and loved and she'll be binkying away at the bridge wondering why Mommy's so upset

You did all you can - you cannot blame yourself. I lost a rabbit recently through ignorance, and the biggest lesson I took from that was how WELL these beloved, frustrating, beautiful animals hide their pain from us, even to death. You gave Frankie 7 happy years, so remember those with happiness.

Please please dont blame yourself for what has happened - you did what any one else would do - watched carefully and saw your bunny was NOT in paid or discomfit and decided to keep her home safe and happy in front of the fire - you did the kindest thing....how COULD you know it was something more serious...it appeared to be sorting itself out....Frankies last days would have been bunny heaven i think- cuddled up with you - delicious titbits to tempt her - you were waiting for the best doctor to be available - if bunny HAD suddenly looked 'ill' im sure you would have rushed her in ...you just wanted to do things right. Please dont blame yourself. I have suffered terrible guilt for 2 years since my dog died of sudden luekemia - i didnt realise he was so ill - in 3 days he was dead and im overwhelmed by guilt sometimes thinking WHY didnt i notice but i know i DID the right thing at the time for him and coulnt never have known he was off his food for such a serious reason - we live and learn sadly but dont hold gulit - its a negative and destructive emotion and wont bring frankie back. Your a wonderful bunny mummy you did the best you could. X be happy

Please please dont blame yourself for what has happened - you did what any one else would do - watched carefully and saw your bunny was NOT in paid or discomfit and decided to keep her home safe and happy in front of the fire - you did the kindest thing....how COULD you know it was something more serious...it appeared to be sorting itself out....Frankies last days would have been bunny heaven i think- cuddled up with you - delicious titbits to tempt her - you were waiting for the best doctor to be available - if bunny HAD suddenly looked 'ill' im sure you would have rushed her in ...you just wanted to do things right. Please dont blame yourself. I have suffered terrible guilt for 2 years since my dog died of sudden luekemia - i didnt realise he was so ill - in 3 days he was dead and im overwhelmed by guilt sometimes thinking WHY didnt i notice but i know i DID the right thing at the time for him and coulnt never have known he was off his food for such a serious reason - we live and learn sadly but dont hold gulit - its a negative and destructive emotion and wont bring frankie back. Your a wonderful bunny mummy you did the best you could. X be happy

I agree with what everyone else says .. We have all lost beloved buns & all felt guilt.. We lost our wondeful girl 1 week ago she was only 7 months old I took her back to the vets 6 times in 7 days & she still wasn't saved..
Sorry for your loss

everyone is so right, i bet we have all asked ourselves " could we have done more?" I lost a bun in a very similar way and blamed myself. i saw a vet who obviously knew nothing about buns and was useless in helping me. If you had taken her to the other vet chances are they wouldn't have been much help and you knew that you wanted to get her the best treatment. its just a shame the vet wasn't there when you needed her. My bun did actually get over her statis but died a few days later so Frankie may not have got through it anyway and maybe it was just her time.
Take comfort in that you gave her all the love and care you could and thats all we can do.

So sorry you lost your bun, she sounds like she was much loved and I'm sure she knew it. Try to remember the happy times and as Jane says hindsight is wonderful, if we only possessed it at the time :roll: You sound like a wonderful caring bunny mum and she was very lucky to have had 7 years with you.

What a sad post. I'm so sorry to hear about Frankie.

As others have said, hindsight is a wonderful thing. I am quite sure we have all made mistakes over the years with our animals. The most important thing is the intention (and love behind what we do), and that we learn from our mistakes when they happen.

Please don't beat yourself up too badly. x

I can`t really say anything different to what has already been said, i can just emphasise please don`t blame yourself, you did what you felt was right at the time & you loved Frankie. It sounds like she truly had a wonderful life with you.
Please try & remember all the good times you shared together over the years.

<<HUGS>>
Su.x

P.S.Perhaps you might like to put a tribute to Frankie in `Rainbow Bridge`.

So sorry to hear about Frankie. She sounds like a beautiful bunny who knew she was loved to bits.
I think it's completely normal to feel a certain amount of guilt. I lost my first bun to what I now know to be stasis, but unfortunately I didn't know the signs to look out for. I was going to take her to the vets the following day, but it was too late. I also lost a bun to flystrike, which was awful. However, I have just learnt from this and know that my bunnies were very well loved.
Binky free Frankie, and huge hugs to you.

I have sat here for 10 mins trying to type what I mean to say to you an I cant find the words! It isnt your fault and please now you have found this forum use us, even if its to share your memories x I'm so sorry you have lost your very special bunny x