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Help Desperate
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I keep going over the last few hours in my mind. The first thing I noticed was that when I picked him up his ears felt cold, my rabbits ears are always hot, so I had a gut feeling this was serious. Then he usually struggled like mad cos he did not like to be petted or held, he was very quiet and still, alarm bells were ringing. But the vet took his temperature and said it was okay!!!! After I got him home I put him back in with his mate, then an hour later checked him and decided to bring him into the house in an indoor cage. Then I was trying to get fluids into him cos I knew if he did not eat he would die, but now I am feeling guilty for forcing food into him when he did not want it, 
Tuckerbunnies
Wise Old Thumper
So sorry for your loss
Dustyrabbit
Warren Veteran
Just checking back to see how you went on last night.
I am so sorry to hear your bunny didn't make it.
He was obviously very poorly. With stassis I believe there is sometimes another underlying problem - the first step was for your vet to get him over the stassis (by administering fluids, gut mobilisers and food). I believe my vet would have admitted this bunny for IV fluids and round the clock care.
As you know rabbits are prey animals and try to hide the fact that they are unwell. You acted as soon as you noticed a problem but sadly the rabbit is usually quite poorly by then and without expert veterinary care can go down hill very quickly.
Have you called your vet to tell them he passed away? I would and I would ask exactly what he was given - they should be able to give you a computer printout.
Do ask for on here for a recommendation to a good bunny vet in your area for the future.
Thinking of you today.
I am so sorry to hear your bunny didn't make it.
He was obviously very poorly. With stassis I believe there is sometimes another underlying problem - the first step was for your vet to get him over the stassis (by administering fluids, gut mobilisers and food). I believe my vet would have admitted this bunny for IV fluids and round the clock care.
As you know rabbits are prey animals and try to hide the fact that they are unwell. You acted as soon as you noticed a problem but sadly the rabbit is usually quite poorly by then and without expert veterinary care can go down hill very quickly.
Have you called your vet to tell them he passed away? I would and I would ask exactly what he was given - they should be able to give you a computer printout.
Do ask for on here for a recommendation to a good bunny vet in your area for the future.
Thinking of you today.
Thanks everybody that tried to help us with Ginger. We are going to take his little body to the vets later today as we do not have the space to bury him in our garden. But I will certainly ask what he was given so that if we can helps any other little bun we will.
This had happened to Ginger once before and we rushed him to the vet one Sunday night (cost and arm and a leg) but anyway he pulled through it. He always was very thin although he ate like a horse, so I am thinking maybe there was something else underlying with him. I have fed my buns today and his mate Minnie is eating although she does look a bit sad asif somehow she knows he wont be coming back
I live in the Paisley area outside of Glasgow so if anybody can recommend a good rabbit vet please let me know?
Juliexx
This had happened to Ginger once before and we rushed him to the vet one Sunday night (cost and arm and a leg) but anyway he pulled through it. He always was very thin although he ate like a horse, so I am thinking maybe there was something else underlying with him. I have fed my buns today and his mate Minnie is eating although she does look a bit sad asif somehow she knows he wont be coming back
I live in the Paisley area outside of Glasgow so if anybody can recommend a good rabbit vet please let me know?
Juliexx
NLENG2000
Mama Doe
I keep going over the last few hours in my mind. The first thing I noticed was that when I picked him up his ears felt cold, my rabbits ears are always hot, so I had a gut feeling this was serious. Then he usually struggled like mad cos he did not like to be petted or held, he was very quiet and still, alarm bells were ringing. But the vet took his temperature and said it was okay!!!! After I got him home I put him back in with his mate, then an hour later checked him and decided to bring him into the house in an indoor cage. Then I was trying to get fluids into him cos I knew if he did not eat he would die, but now I am feeling guilty for forcing food into him when he did not want it,
I am sure he knew you were just trying to help him. Bunny's go down hill so very fast! I lost one of mine last year to EC, and to be honest after all I've read on here I am fairly sure that the Vets could have done more (no-one told me at the time about disinfecting the hut to prevent re-infection!) otherwise he might still be here today! Dont blame yourself for this, you did all you could and your bunny knows it! Binky free little man xxxx
Lagomorph Lover
New Kit
Help - My Rabbit
I agree with the pain killers.
I'm not sure whether its available where you are but you could ask for Oxbow Herbivore Critcare - a formula you can make up and syringe into the rabbit which is like Sustogen for rabbits and will give him all the essential nutrients and hopefully stimulate his appetite.
Definitely take him back to the vet and maybe get a blood test done too.
Liz
I agree with the pain killers.
I'm not sure whether its available where you are but you could ask for Oxbow Herbivore Critcare - a formula you can make up and syringe into the rabbit which is like Sustogen for rabbits and will give him all the essential nutrients and hopefully stimulate his appetite.
Definitely take him back to the vet and maybe get a blood test done too.
Liz
I'm so sorry for your loss - it's so difficult isn't it
This sounds exactly the same as what happened to my wee rabbit Jess who sadly died a few weeks ago. We also syringe fed her and after she died I felt so guilty that perhaps I made her last few hours more stressful by syringe feeding her and I really hated doing it
But it sounds like you did everything you could. Hope your other wee bunny is okay.
This sounds exactly the same as what happened to my wee rabbit Jess who sadly died a few weeks ago. We also syringe fed her and after she died I felt so guilty that perhaps I made her last few hours more stressful by syringe feeding her and I really hated doing it
But it sounds like you did everything you could. Hope your other wee bunny is okay.
Hi CDW I feel exactly the same as you. I won't ever force feed an animal again, I know the first time he had this problem I put the little pippette to his mouth and he took the liquid but last night he certainly did not want it and thinking I was doing the right thing I forced it into him. I feel terrible now and would not advise anybody to force feed an animal!!
As I said earlier I was going to take his little body to the vets but since then I have made space and buried him in his beloved garden. I could no bear to take him away from us.
Later today in memory of our little Ginger I will put his picture in the Rainbow Bridge part so you can see him
As I said earlier I was going to take his little body to the vets but since then I have made space and buried him in his beloved garden. I could no bear to take him away from us.
Later today in memory of our little Ginger I will put his picture in the Rainbow Bridge part so you can see him
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NLENG2000
Mama Doe
Thanks Alison, it hearbreaking to lose a little friend
Oh it is.. I cried solidly for a day, and still have moments even now. The worst thing was how Twix my surviving rabbit was behaving. I put a cuddly toy in his hutch and he spent hours grooming it, so sad. Still we then got in touch with Fat Fluffs (a sanctuary in the midlands) and we found Twix a new little friend and (after a long bonding) they are now extremely loved up. I am sure Minstrel would have approved!
So sorry for your lost.
I just want to say that you really need to keep a close eye on your other bun. A rabbits gut doesnt shut down for no reason, and as you dont know the reason, theres a chance it could be a virus, especially as the teeth were ruled out (most common reason id think).
I got 3 baby buns a few months ago, after 3 or 4 days one went very quite, stopped eating, didnt move, was cold, and had obviously sat in the wee corner (he was caked in wee, very wet), so took him straight to the vets. She gave him injections as yours had, and food and fibreplex. After doing all his medicines and feeding he seemed to pick up a little, an hour later, he keeled over and died. To cut a long story short, the 2nd bunny had a fit from apparently being healthy and died, and the 3rd bunny stopped eating, but luckily she was a fighter and after hundreds of pounds, being at vets every day and lots of force feeding and medicine, she made it. Post mortom on the 2nd bunny came back very late, but showed it was definately a virus.
As your bunny was kept with this one, id be very careful and watchfull. It may be quiet as its missing the other bun, or it may have caught a virus from it. Id take it for a check up just in case if i were you, bunnys go down hill so quick. The 2nd bunny i had was eating fine the day after the other one died, then the next morning had a fit, and the 3rd bunny again was fine until the day after the 2nd one died. In the case of a virus, eating does not prove the bunny is ok.
You said you didnt like force feeding the bun and dont want to again, but im afraid you just have to in situations like this, you need to get the gut moving and provide energy otherwise itll never recover (i by no means mean it was your fault for the bunny dying to clear that up, i did that and the first one still died on me, but the 3rd one fought more, was probably a bit healthier and caught a bit sooner). My current old bun has her teeth done every 7 months, and normally her gut shuts down after the op, so i have to force feed her, if i didnt her gut wouldnt start moving and she simply wouldnt eat on her own, and would therefore die. I know its hard to do and it feels bad doing, but it DOES save lives, it has to be done. Many years ago another older bun had an op to remove an absess, his gut stopped but either i had a **** vet, or rabbit medicine wasnt as well researched back then (about 8 years ago), but he was never force fed and he died, simply as he wouldnt eat, and it was a slower death, most likely from starvation, which could have been prevented. Again, im sorry if i sound like im having a go, i just want people to know that force feeding has to be done no matter how bad it makes you feel.
As for the burial, as was proved in my case, getting a post mortem doesnt always help, it took well over 3 weeks for the results to get back (my vets said they wont be using that lab again), and by then the surviving bunny was starting to get better, the vets just had to do trial and error.
If your other bun does get ill, then heres what my bun was given (rember we didnt know the exact cause at this pojnt): gut stimulants, injections to stop dehydration, oral antibiotics, pain relief injection, "zantac syrup" (not sure what its for, think its to help gut mobility), fibreplex, and force fed every 30-60 mins, later given a sachet of white powder that you mix with water to help stop dehydration (sorry cant remember the name). I kept her on a hot water bottle covered with a towel and placed a bowl of water, hay, food and a variety of fresh veg near her at all times, and as soon as she started eating bits i encouraged her by waving veg in front of her nose. She didnt poo for several days, but when she eventually did there were lots, first slightly soft and gooey, then normal within a few days.
Anyway, sory for the super long post. I know its hard but dont feel bad about the bunny, you did do everything you could, and if anyones to blame its the vets for not giving the right medicines. I hope your other bunny stays well!
I just want to say that you really need to keep a close eye on your other bun. A rabbits gut doesnt shut down for no reason, and as you dont know the reason, theres a chance it could be a virus, especially as the teeth were ruled out (most common reason id think).
I got 3 baby buns a few months ago, after 3 or 4 days one went very quite, stopped eating, didnt move, was cold, and had obviously sat in the wee corner (he was caked in wee, very wet), so took him straight to the vets. She gave him injections as yours had, and food and fibreplex. After doing all his medicines and feeding he seemed to pick up a little, an hour later, he keeled over and died. To cut a long story short, the 2nd bunny had a fit from apparently being healthy and died, and the 3rd bunny stopped eating, but luckily she was a fighter and after hundreds of pounds, being at vets every day and lots of force feeding and medicine, she made it. Post mortom on the 2nd bunny came back very late, but showed it was definately a virus.
As your bunny was kept with this one, id be very careful and watchfull. It may be quiet as its missing the other bun, or it may have caught a virus from it. Id take it for a check up just in case if i were you, bunnys go down hill so quick. The 2nd bunny i had was eating fine the day after the other one died, then the next morning had a fit, and the 3rd bunny again was fine until the day after the 2nd one died. In the case of a virus, eating does not prove the bunny is ok.
You said you didnt like force feeding the bun and dont want to again, but im afraid you just have to in situations like this, you need to get the gut moving and provide energy otherwise itll never recover (i by no means mean it was your fault for the bunny dying to clear that up, i did that and the first one still died on me, but the 3rd one fought more, was probably a bit healthier and caught a bit sooner). My current old bun has her teeth done every 7 months, and normally her gut shuts down after the op, so i have to force feed her, if i didnt her gut wouldnt start moving and she simply wouldnt eat on her own, and would therefore die. I know its hard to do and it feels bad doing, but it DOES save lives, it has to be done. Many years ago another older bun had an op to remove an absess, his gut stopped but either i had a **** vet, or rabbit medicine wasnt as well researched back then (about 8 years ago), but he was never force fed and he died, simply as he wouldnt eat, and it was a slower death, most likely from starvation, which could have been prevented. Again, im sorry if i sound like im having a go, i just want people to know that force feeding has to be done no matter how bad it makes you feel.
As for the burial, as was proved in my case, getting a post mortem doesnt always help, it took well over 3 weeks for the results to get back (my vets said they wont be using that lab again), and by then the surviving bunny was starting to get better, the vets just had to do trial and error.
If your other bun does get ill, then heres what my bun was given (rember we didnt know the exact cause at this pojnt): gut stimulants, injections to stop dehydration, oral antibiotics, pain relief injection, "zantac syrup" (not sure what its for, think its to help gut mobility), fibreplex, and force fed every 30-60 mins, later given a sachet of white powder that you mix with water to help stop dehydration (sorry cant remember the name). I kept her on a hot water bottle covered with a towel and placed a bowl of water, hay, food and a variety of fresh veg near her at all times, and as soon as she started eating bits i encouraged her by waving veg in front of her nose. She didnt poo for several days, but when she eventually did there were lots, first slightly soft and gooey, then normal within a few days.
Anyway, sory for the super long post. I know its hard but dont feel bad about the bunny, you did do everything you could, and if anyones to blame its the vets for not giving the right medicines. I hope your other bunny stays well!
Rosie Rabbit
Mama Doe
I'm so sorry you lost Ginger, I know how bad you feel when you have done your best and things still don't turn out well. It's a horrible feeling.
I would consider finding another vet - I don't know of any in your area, but I Googled "exotics vets Glasgow" and came up with one who has a practice in Toryglen, which I think is about 9 miles from Paisley. http://www.ardmoryvets.co.uk I've no idea what they are like though. I'm in Ayrshire and have a good small animal vet in Troon, but would love to live closer to an exotics specialist.
Thinking of you x
Emm-Jane76
Mama Doe
Metacam is a painkiller and zantac increases the rate of gastric emtying and also reduces stomach acid x
How is Minnie getting on?
How is Minnie getting on?
Hi Emm-Jane
Minnie is eating and doing okay, but a bit quiet. I have the other 4 rabbits but Minnie never got on with any of them. In fact she hates my little Nethie with a vengence, i'm sure if she got to her she would kill her They are all kept in their own hutches in the shed so they can hear and see each other which I suppose will help her.
You said, "zantac increases the rate of gastric emtying and also reduces stomach acid" so will that have helped Ginger then or what?
Thanks
Juliexx
Minnie is eating and doing okay, but a bit quiet. I have the other 4 rabbits but Minnie never got on with any of them. In fact she hates my little Nethie with a vengence, i'm sure if she got to her she would kill her
They are all kept in their own hutches in the shed so they can hear and see each other which I suppose will help her.You said, "zantac increases the rate of gastric emtying and also reduces stomach acid" so will that have helped Ginger then or what?
Thanks
Juliexx
