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Older mini lop going off food - probable lymphoma
- Thread starter Moonstone
- Start date
Moonstone
Warren Scout
Thank you, Omi.
I'm so grateful for the support and guidance I've had on here over the last week. As I live on my own now and Millie and I are the only ones who love Archie, these experiences can be so very isolating and you made it much easier. I listened to your advice and the various advice from the vets and then yesterday I switched off from it all and just focused on him and what I thought he was saying about his needs. By the early evening it was really clear to me that he wasn't going to be able to find a way back. I booked the vet from Angel Paws to come in the morning and I gave them reiki for a long time, talked to him about how it was okay to surrender and all the things I was grateful to him for. He was lying in their wooden room in straw with the heated mat below him under the rug. Mille stayed away but when I finished she went to him and licked his face for ages and I left them to have some private time. When I returned she was curled around his head with her ears up skywards, she looked like she was protecting him. He always loved burying his face in her fur.
I wasn't confident he'd live the night but he did and I thought maybe that connection with her was keeping him a bit longer. He was pts this morning, very gently by a lovely woman and afterwards I lay in the pen for a long time with his body on my chest. It was somehow comforting feeling the weight and warmth of him.
There were no symptoms of EC once he left the hospital, not even eye flickering. I didn't give him any panacur, I didn't even syringe feed him, he seemed too fragile. I gave him a dose of cispide early evening and then nothing but metacam and some water.
He is lying in the pen now, I'm wondering how long to leave him with Millie? I've booked him into a crematorium tomorrow so we can take our time saying goodbye today if necessary.
Just now the vet from the hospital rang with his blood results. They were bad. He was anaemic, which she said can be sign of cancer, the result of small internal bleeds. He had very low white cells demonstrating inflammation and possible destruction of cells. Low platelets. Damaged kidneys, very high liver counts which again could be cancer. Glucose was low. Bilirubin high. Protein very low, which could suggest he could no longer absorb it in his gut or could be liver damage. She had called the exotic specialists who had said that given all that and his presentation and weight loss, he wasnāt going to be able to be saved and they recommended that he be put to sleep.
So I do know I did the right thing, it's just very painful. You spend years doing everything you can to keep them alive and at some point you will fail because you don't stand a chance. But grief is the price of love and what are you doing to do? Not love? I am grateful for every moment I had with him and feel privileged to have been his bunny mummy.
I'm so grateful for the support and guidance I've had on here over the last week. As I live on my own now and Millie and I are the only ones who love Archie, these experiences can be so very isolating and you made it much easier. I listened to your advice and the various advice from the vets and then yesterday I switched off from it all and just focused on him and what I thought he was saying about his needs. By the early evening it was really clear to me that he wasn't going to be able to find a way back. I booked the vet from Angel Paws to come in the morning and I gave them reiki for a long time, talked to him about how it was okay to surrender and all the things I was grateful to him for. He was lying in their wooden room in straw with the heated mat below him under the rug. Mille stayed away but when I finished she went to him and licked his face for ages and I left them to have some private time. When I returned she was curled around his head with her ears up skywards, she looked like she was protecting him. He always loved burying his face in her fur.
I wasn't confident he'd live the night but he did and I thought maybe that connection with her was keeping him a bit longer. He was pts this morning, very gently by a lovely woman and afterwards I lay in the pen for a long time with his body on my chest. It was somehow comforting feeling the weight and warmth of him.
There were no symptoms of EC once he left the hospital, not even eye flickering. I didn't give him any panacur, I didn't even syringe feed him, he seemed too fragile. I gave him a dose of cispide early evening and then nothing but metacam and some water.
He is lying in the pen now, I'm wondering how long to leave him with Millie? I've booked him into a crematorium tomorrow so we can take our time saying goodbye today if necessary.
Just now the vet from the hospital rang with his blood results. They were bad. He was anaemic, which she said can be sign of cancer, the result of small internal bleeds. He had very low white cells demonstrating inflammation and possible destruction of cells. Low platelets. Damaged kidneys, very high liver counts which again could be cancer. Glucose was low. Bilirubin high. Protein very low, which could suggest he could no longer absorb it in his gut or could be liver damage. She had called the exotic specialists who had said that given all that and his presentation and weight loss, he wasnāt going to be able to be saved and they recommended that he be put to sleep.
So I do know I did the right thing, it's just very painful. You spend years doing everything you can to keep them alive and at some point you will fail because you don't stand a chance. But grief is the price of love and what are you doing to do? Not love? I am grateful for every moment I had with him and feel privileged to have been his bunny mummy.
InspectorMorse
Wise Old Thumper
I am so sorry that dear Archie could not recover. The blood test results give you absolute certainty that letting him go was the right thing to do. Even though it has broken your heart to have to do so. You have shown him true love and compassion.
RIP Archie, you will never be forgotten and you will always be loved
RIP Archie, you will never be forgotten and you will always be loved
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Moonstone
Warren Scout
Thank you tonibun and InspectorMorse.
And thank you for the lovely picture, that's a beautiful gesture. I do believe I will meet him again one day.
In terms of Millie: She has been a total star though all this. Iām not going to give her Panacur, I don't think EC was his biggest issue. I thought Iād clean and disinfect the area and replace the bedding. But then I thought that would be taking away his smell and the vet said that sheād been licking his face so much that her environment isnāt going to make much difference. I think I'm going for a middle ground, change the litter tray and soiled bedding and leave the rest. I have rubbed his body with a towel that I'm leaving with her.
My plan had been to put them both outside again in late March. They always much preferred being outside, there is fresh air and more space and freedom. I was thinking I may need to keep Millie in for longer as sheāll need to be around me. Then the hospital vet said to put her outside if that's where she's happiest and if she's no longer happy out there she'll let me know. Such a huge adjustment for us both.
The vet who did the pts said because it was a tight bond it would be good to get her another rabbit asap. Itās hard because I planned for them to be my last rabbits. Now that I live alone, itās much more of a commitment. If I got her another companion, Iād want him to be a buck, around the same age and her size (sheās a Netherland/mini lop cross). Rescue centres donāt seem to be full of 11 year old bunnies and sheāll be 11 in April. And Iām imagining I canāt insure a new older rabbit, thereās the cost of all the healthcare to consider too. I donāt even know yet if my divorce is going to force me to move house. I think I'll just have to take it one day at a time.
And thank you for the lovely picture, that's a beautiful gesture. I do believe I will meet him again one day.
In terms of Millie: She has been a total star though all this. Iām not going to give her Panacur, I don't think EC was his biggest issue. I thought Iād clean and disinfect the area and replace the bedding. But then I thought that would be taking away his smell and the vet said that sheād been licking his face so much that her environment isnāt going to make much difference. I think I'm going for a middle ground, change the litter tray and soiled bedding and leave the rest. I have rubbed his body with a towel that I'm leaving with her.
My plan had been to put them both outside again in late March. They always much preferred being outside, there is fresh air and more space and freedom. I was thinking I may need to keep Millie in for longer as sheāll need to be around me. Then the hospital vet said to put her outside if that's where she's happiest and if she's no longer happy out there she'll let me know. Such a huge adjustment for us both.
The vet who did the pts said because it was a tight bond it would be good to get her another rabbit asap. Itās hard because I planned for them to be my last rabbits. Now that I live alone, itās much more of a commitment. If I got her another companion, Iād want him to be a buck, around the same age and her size (sheās a Netherland/mini lop cross). Rescue centres donāt seem to be full of 11 year old bunnies and sheāll be 11 in April. And Iām imagining I canāt insure a new older rabbit, thereās the cost of all the healthcare to consider too. I donāt even know yet if my divorce is going to force me to move house. I think I'll just have to take it one day at a time.
I was pleased that your vet had contacted the exotics specialists with the blood results and it was good to get confirmation that you were doing the right thing, although I can imagine how painful it is. I think it's a good feeling to have that you have spent years doing everything you could to keep them alive. That I think is good to hold on to. I don't agree that at some point people fail though. Or at least I wouldn't word it quite like that. I don't view it as failing. I think it's being unable to change something that is impossible to change. I think that applies to all creatures, including bunnies. I'm quite sure that Archie had a wonderful life with you and Millie.
I can imagine how much both you and Millie will miss him. I think decisions on a new friend for Millie is something that can wait for another day.
Look after yourself and Millie.
I can imagine how much both you and Millie will miss him. I think decisions on a new friend for Millie is something that can wait for another day.
Look after yourself and Millie.
InspectorMorse
Wise Old Thumper
I donāt know if this is something you would want to do. But I take a clipping of fur from the Rabbit I have lost. At a later date I can then get a piece of jewellery or some other keepsake to put the fur in. I have had crystal beads made which incorporate the fur and I have some lockets too.
I think taking things one day at a time regarding Millie is the best thing to do now. I do hope that life will become less distressing for you in all respects ASAP. Things certainly sound to be extremely difficult at the moment x
I think taking things one day at a time regarding Millie is the best thing to do now. I do hope that life will become less distressing for you in all respects ASAP. Things certainly sound to be extremely difficult at the moment x
Moonstone
Warren Scout
Yes, you're right, I'm just on a bit of downer today. It's not failure it's just part of the cycle of life. I keep thinking about how ill he must of been with bloods like that and yet he was still eating yesterday, I think he was trying to keep himself alive too, he wanted to get better and stay with us.
kattymieoww
Warren Veteran
I'm very sorry you lost Archie.11 is a great age and you did your very best by him. Binky free Archie.
Moonstone
Warren Scout
Yes, thank you. Millie has a worried expression. An hour ago I found a lump on her forehead above one eye and I've booked her for consultation tomorrow afternoon. I think the last thing she needs right now is a solo trip to the vet but equally I can't overlook it.
My poor girl, she's having such a terrible week.
My poor girl, she's having such a terrible week.
bunny momma
Wise Old Thumper
I am so sorry Archie was so sick and could not get better in spite of all the wonderful care you gave him over his many years.
Your update was very moving and while it was a heartbreaking decision for you to allow him to move on, it was one made because you loved him. Millie must have known it was his time too.
Millie had a wonderful bond with him ā¤ā¤as did you, so I know you will be a comfort to each other as you both process the loss of your beloved boy.
Sending tons of gentle hugs to you and Millie, and positive vibes for Millie's vet exam.
Your update was very moving and while it was a heartbreaking decision for you to allow him to move on, it was one made because you loved him. Millie must have known it was his time too.
Millie had a wonderful bond with him ā¤ā¤as did you, so I know you will be a comfort to each other as you both process the loss of your beloved boy.
Sending tons of gentle hugs to you and Millie, and positive vibes for Millie's vet exam.
Moonstone
Warren Scout
False alarm! Millie's lump has gone. It was so strange because it was there this morning as well as last night but the vet was lovely about it and said she'd always rather check them over if there are any concerns about anything. The best guess is that she had an extra tense forehead with all the stress and for some reason the muscle was clenched on one side feeling lump like. That or she had something in her fur but it really didn't feel like something in her fur, and there's a line in the fur where it lies differently on the left where the lump was.
I'm sat here immensely relieved, exhausted and rather guilty and she's downstairs hiding and not wanting to eat, I have to build trust and confidence back up from here.
On another note, I've been thinking about putting Archieās body in the pen yesterday. She ignored it all the time I was there, and the towel I'd rubbed on him was sniffed and then carefully avoided. I think it smelt the way he did when he was very sick and not his usual smell. And maybe itās instinctive to stay away from bodies because in the wild theyāre going to attract predators and may be carrying diseases?
I'm sat here immensely relieved, exhausted and rather guilty and she's downstairs hiding and not wanting to eat, I have to build trust and confidence back up from here.
On another note, I've been thinking about putting Archieās body in the pen yesterday. She ignored it all the time I was there, and the towel I'd rubbed on him was sniffed and then carefully avoided. I think it smelt the way he did when he was very sick and not his usual smell. And maybe itās instinctive to stay away from bodies because in the wild theyāre going to attract predators and may be carrying diseases?
Moonstone
Warren Scout
Thank you, I missed this post before. I went to the crematorium today and they had options like that but I wasn't in a decision making place, though I did ask for some of his fur. It's good that there are products like that, I'm glad the jewellery has helped you. They had a garden room to say a private goodbye in and I could just let myself out when I was ready and press a bell for them to come and collect him. I thought that was lovely. With Max, Millie's first partner, I was stood holding the box with his body in, in a queue in a crowded vet's waiting room, counting backwards from 500 in 7s to stop myself erupting with tears. So today was much better.
Yes, challenges on all fronts. Thank you for your kindness x
