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Please Remember to Advocate for your rabbit

Rabbits only have their spirit to let us know how they feel (apart from grunts and purs). We have to listen to that as you said. If Wish had "given up" I've no doubt you would have let her go to the Bridge. But she didn't she fought and fought. You helped her fight by not giving up.
This will sound silly but I'm very proud and glad you're here for us to talk and listen too. Your story helps remind me that I need to listen to what Ben says (when he's not digging my pjs!)
Thank you for sharing. Wish looks lovely and seems to have grown a lot! Hoping you both have many happy years together to come.
 
I want to share Rosie's story.

Rosie arrived at the RSPCA a complete and healthy bunny, a nervous one, but healthy.

She was reserved very quickly because, despite looking odd, she was lovely natured.

Whilst going through the home visit process Rosie sustained an injury at the RSPCA. I told the staff, they got her to a vet, the vet could not identify anything wrong, at all. The vet could not see that she had lost weight (which in fact was nearly 20% of her body weight when we did weigh her), the vet could not see that she dragged her back left leg and couldn't hope properly on her right, the vet did not see that she could not lift or move her tail.

We had to get her out of there so, on agreement with her adopter, I took her on as a foster so the adopter could take her when she was ready.

Rosie was exceptionally ill. Emaciated, clearly in pain (but not for long- thank you Metacam), incontinent, etc. We worked and we fed her up.

Two days after arrival I knew something really serious had gone on. Until that point I thought she had a leg injury but on careful inspection, I suspected more.

Off we went to the vets. My vet watched her an identified that actually yes, something was clearly wrong with her movement (why the other vet couldn't see it, I don't know- blindness? incompetence?). I told him my suspicion, which was spinal injury, and on feeling her spine he found the sore spot that clearly gave her pain. Why the other vet couldn't find that, I don't know.

Rosie stayed with me for a few more days and then went onto her new home. They couldn't cope with her. I don't know why, but the symptoms they said they saw, I never saw.

So then there was a quandary. If she went back to the RSPCA they would have PTS her because she would be deemed unadoptable (despite their vet not being able to find anything wrong with her :roll:). The adopter told me that if I did not take Rosie, that our vet (we shared the same one) would PTS her. So everyone was ready to have her PTS.

I felt this was exceptionally unfair. Rosie was bright and fighting, just injured. I didn't want another rabbit but I knew it was wrong and unfair to PTS this beautiful, strong girl, so I took her. I took her to see my vet. We talked abotu her options and I talked about her fight for life.

Once again we agreed to review it regularly. She came home with me and we set to work fixing Rosie. And boy did we do a good job!

Within about three weeks of rest and mild exercise, of pain relief and loads and loads of food to bulk her up, she could binky (proper, major high binkies). Shortly after, she bonded with the most Amazing Badger. She was happy. They got a good 6 months of complete happiness the pair of them, before her good kidney failed.

Had they have PTSed her for her spinal injury then she would never have had that happiness, and she did deserve and she did enjoy it.

This is Rosie's tribute video- She would never have gotten any of this had I not been able to communicate that a, she was ill originally and b, that she wanted to fight and deserved to fight.

Not bad for a death row bunny http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-eEZvjgjl0



All that said, it's not an easy skill to advocate, especially if you have no practice, so all you can do is practice. I personally SUCK at advocating for myself, but can do it for them because they can't do it for themselves. Maybe, for those of you who find it hard, take the list of questions from the first post, take it with you and run through them at vets appointments so that you are fully informed on what is going on. The more you advocate, the easier it gets :)
 
I'm getting better at advocating but only because I saw you do it. Vets are only human and we do know our buns better than anyone.:D
 
Aww Rosie's story and video always brings a little tear to my eye. She was amazing and so beautiful..she's so lucky she found such an amazing owner to stand up and speak out for her :love:
 
MPHF said:
I'm getting better at advocating but only because I saw you do it. Vets are only human and we do know our buns better than anyone.:D
Click to expand...

:thumb: Well done :)

It can be difficult when you first start but the more you do it, the easier it gets so well done :)
 
I'm used to advocating for my mental health clients, but not so experienced at doing so for my fur family.

I did keep Sue a lot longer than my vet recommended. He would have had her PTS as soon as he discovered she only had half a working kidney. I just knew she wasn't ready - and for a few months she did put some weight on. Even after she lost it again she wasn't ready - and when she was she died just after I got her to the vet, but before he sedated her. She really did go in her own time.

I've got the vet to give a bun pain relief even when he thought she didn't need it - as I knew she did. He said I knew my bun best and gave her an injection.

With Tabitha, my cat, I wasn't sure about PTS but my vet said he had spoken to two colleagues and he 'phoned a specialist while I was with him and they all said the prognosis was very, very poor. Tabitha was clearly unhappy and so I did let her go. I still wonder if I did the right thing as it felt wrong - but that may be because it was such a shock as she was only four.

I find it difficult knowing what is best for my fur family without being influenced by my own emotions and selfish needs.
 
I wish I'd learn and understood all this at least 4 years ago to help Scratty and Bungee :( Thankfully I do now know how to advocate for them. My mum told me earlier today that my dad has said he doesn't think I should have put Artie 'through all that' ie a bladder operation 2 year ago, recent kidney operation and now less than a month later kidney removal, but then he thinks neutering is cruel so I'll take very little notice of his view on this subject. He doesn't know the truly close, trusting relationship you can have with a bunny. Some time ago when Artie was having his bladder expressed FHB commented on how compliant he was, and said that she believes that some rabbits do know that you are doing unpleasant things for their benefit. I answered that I was certain that Artie knows and understands. When he needed his kidney surgery a month ago, and Frances was explaining the benefits and risks, she said, "If you were able to ask Artie, I believe this is what he would choose". I am truly lucky that it isn't just me advocating for them :D
 
Sky-O, your posts are stellar and your bunnies' histories inspiring! And Wish is an absolute Goddess! I will have her beautiful face firmly in my mind as I take two of my bunnies in to see their vet on Thursday. Although Dr. H. is very accommodating and wonderful with them, sometimes I feel she doesn't think outside the box enough with their care. Probably because I have no insurance for them and always pay cash, she may only think of the cost and want to spare me.

I usually don't have trouble being a voice for the voiceless. What I do have trouble with is accepting the final diagnoses when they do come. And yet I often receive what I can only call 'impressions' from my animal companions when the time arrives. They can be faint or stark in intensity. When I had to tell hubby that his cat of 17 years was coming to me begging for release, he couldn't accept it and I had to insist. We both knew that, with advanced squamous cell carcinoma, he was suffering. It was terrible for both of us and we still miss him, but it was the right thing to do by him.

But when my own cat of the same age got VAS and had horrible tumors on her back, I almost couldn't give her that last gift because I couldn't imagine life without her. I did, but by that time the vet who helped her cross the bridge was disappointed in me that I had waited so long. And I was also ashamed. My poor daughter was very young at the time and just couldn't understand, she just kept saying , "Mommy wait, wait...." I had to tell her we, and especially my poor kitty, just couldn't wait any longer. It was awful.

I've also had a cat die in my arms. I swore I would never allow that to happen to any other pets in my care.
It is more difficult when more than one person has a say in what happens to a pet. Hubby and I have argued the point more than once.

When the day comes I have to make that decision for my rabbits, it will be the most miserable of my life. But I will do it because they lead such short lives as it is and the time they spend here deserves to be the best it can be.

And any day that you can give an animal that is rejected due to physical failings a better chance at life, what more precious gift is there?

Lots to think about Sky-O. Thank you. :love:
 
Amazing story, and very important advice.

Here in Ukraine, most vets are eager to take my money to operate on my doe, but when I start asking questions about experience, pre- and post-operative care, anaesthesia etc., it quickly becomes clear they are in it for the money and not for my bun, so please everyone, always ask these questions to your vet, and ensure you are part of the process!
 
aaaah Sky-o! and Wish! Thanks for reminding us all of the importance of not being over whelmed by vets and their knowledge...to ask and query and learn and stand up for our buns - whichever direction that may be ! Wonderful to see gorgeous Wish again!:love::love::love::love:
 
Sky-O said:
I want to share Rosie's story.

Rosie arrived at the RSPCA a complete and healthy bunny, a nervous one, but healthy.

She was reserved very quickly because, despite looking odd, she was lovely natured.

Whilst going through the home visit process Rosie sustained an injury at the RSPCA. I told the staff, they got her to a vet, the vet could not identify anything wrong, at all. The vet could not see that she had lost weight (which in fact was nearly 20% of her body weight when we did weigh her), the vet could not see that she dragged her back left leg and couldn't hope properly on her right, the vet did not see that she could not lift or move her tail.

We had to get her out of there so, on agreement with her adopter, I took her on as a foster so the adopter could take her when she was ready.

Rosie was exceptionally ill. Emaciated, clearly in pain (but not for long- thank you Metacam), incontinent, etc. We worked and we fed her up.

Two days after arrival I knew something really serious had gone on. Until that point I thought she had a leg injury but on careful inspection, I suspected more.

Off we went to the vets. My vet watched her an identified that actually yes, something was clearly wrong with her movement (why the other vet couldn't see it, I don't know- blindness? incompetence?). I told him my suspicion, which was spinal injury, and on feeling her spine he found the sore spot that clearly gave her pain. Why the other vet couldn't find that, I don't know.

Rosie stayed with me for a few more days and then went onto her new home. They couldn't cope with her. I don't know why, but the symptoms they said they saw, I never saw.

So then there was a quandary. If she went back to the RSPCA they would have PTS her because she would be deemed unadoptable (despite their vet not being able to find anything wrong with her :roll:). The adopter told me that if I did not take Rosie, that our vet (we shared the same one) would PTS her. So everyone was ready to have her PTS.

I felt this was exceptionally unfair. Rosie was bright and fighting, just injured. I didn't want another rabbit but I knew it was wrong and unfair to PTS this beautiful, strong girl, so I took her. I took her to see my vet. We talked abotu her options and I talked about her fight for life.

Once again we agreed to review it regularly. She came home with me and we set to work fixing Rosie. And boy did we do a good job!

Within about three weeks of rest and mild exercise, of pain relief and loads and loads of food to bulk her up, she could binky (proper, major high binkies). Shortly after, she bonded with the most Amazing Badger. She was happy. They got a good 6 months of complete happiness the pair of them, before her good kidney failed.

Had they have PTSed her for her spinal injury then she would never have had that happiness, and she did deserve and she did enjoy it.

This is Rosie's tribute video- She would never have gotten any of this had I not been able to communicate that a, she was ill originally and b, that she wanted to fight and deserved to fight.

Not bad for a death row bunny http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-eEZvjgjl0



All that said, it's not an easy skill to advocate, especially if you have no practice, so all you can do is practice. I personally SUCK at advocating for myself, but can do it for them because they can't do it for themselves. Maybe, for those of you who find it hard, take the list of questions from the first post, take it with you and run through them at vets appointments so that you are fully informed on what is going on. The more you advocate, the easier it gets :)
Click to expand...

I nearly found myself writing another thread, then realised the moral of the story was the same.

Rosie joined our household as a permanent resident on 9th November 2009 (two years ago tomorrow).

Her song was 'Fight for This Love' by Cheryl Cole. I really believe this. Fight for them because you love them so much, and fighting for them means fighting for what is best for them.

Fight for them. All of them. Fight for what is best for them.
 
just read this thread and its soo true; when i was 17 i had a rabbit called Brian he was sooo good and friendly, i didnt know much about buns back then and i never got him vaccinated or castrated and he lived between a hutch, the shed and the house and everyday he had the run of the garden; he lived until he was about 6. I noticed he was a little off his food but otherwise okay so i took him to the vet thinking it may be his teeth, when i got there the vet said he had a tumour and just expected me to have him pts there and then; i was mad, he was eating, drinking and weeing and pooing and still running around the garden. i said to the vet 'no' and she thought i was mad. I took him home and after that he went for regular vet check ups and she always commented on how shiny his coat was and how apart from the tumour seemed in good health; about 6 months later we knew it was time for him to be pts because oneday he woke up and was tired straight away. Afterwards we got a card from the vet and her son who was 6 had drawn a picture of Brian eating a carrot; she missed him and said how she thought we had done the right thing. :)
 
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