MimzMum
Wise Old Thumper
I'm going to apologize in advance for this long post after being pretty much awol for weeks. I'm at the end of my tether and don't know where else to turn with this.
I was scared to death yesterday because Mimzy rolled. There is nothing more terrifying than a bunny in an out of control barrel roll...unless it's the bunny you've loved more than your own life for over ten years.
It's been almost 5 years now since he first got head tilt. Took him 6 months to recover to a point where, although wonky, he could eat and move on his own. But I remember those first few weeks where all he could do was roll. No balance whatsoever and just a mild shift would send him around like a ping pong ball. We seriously considered ending his life there and then because it was so awful. I prayed I would never see this happen again.
Pip had one bad episode of rolling in the years before we left Alaska. I had forgotten it until I ordered a copy of her records after her death. I even found the videos I took of her not being able to walk without circling when I got her to the vet that day. It was ruled an ear infection and she recovered, completely I thought, about a week later after abx.
I've not seen Fiver roll, but he has flopped like a landed fish due to bad landings on arthritic joints and it's just as scary because you can't stop it till it stops on it's own. You can steady them and pad them up so they don't hurt themselves, but it's hell until they are stabilised.
It was a terrible flashback and had my heart pounding out of my chest, because Mimzy hasn't been very well in the last few months, so when I heard the all too familiar flailing and bunny body and feet slamming against the enclosure panel I went into full on panic mode. I'd been in the kitchen, just a short distance away, washing Ebon's feet after she came back into the house from her morning walk. The noise had me running to him and my heart just broke seeing him on his side, unable to right himself. Absolutely no idea how it got started and so my first thought was, God...he's sick, this is it. I promised him years ago that I wouldn't make him go through all that again.
Got him up relatively easily and he was flapping his ears about. Knocked the wind out of him, surely. Took him a few minutes to orient himself again. Seems like lately he's always a bit out of breath but we've never seen anything on xray to treat. I know his stress level has something to do with it but he's sturdy for all that and no vet really sees it as unusual.
I couldn't stop the tears coming, I've been trying to bring myself to a place where I can say goodbye to him since he will likely only worsen from here on in and I will be traveling out of state sometime this summer. I can't leave him for my daughter to care for and take the chance he suffers or passes while I'm gone.
So I talked to his vet's office and we've got a tentative appointment for Wednesday next. He's been treated for some kind of eye infection, his lame leg is okay but the fur won't grow back and he still holds it under himself. He has at times now crawled where he needs to go, and it occurs to me he may have tripped over his bedding and that's what sent him into the wall. He was fine the rest of the day, if a bit subdued, and was full of beans in the evening as usual. But he's sounding congested, no runny nose though, I think...even if all it is is teeth that is the problem there I know my vet doesn't want to put him under for a dental because he's sure he'll lose him. Personally, if I thought it would improve his QOL at this point I'd say take the risk and if he goes, he goes, but I can't afford a full dental and not certain a semi-conscious one would solve the issue.
Unless the vet tells me he is beyond help, I won't pts next week, but I know the day is coming. I just want time with him out in the sun and the grass, but I've found areas of either skunk or raccoon poo in our yard (we have both trespassing here) and I wouldn't want to expose him to more pathogens...with his possible e.c. alone, that's enough crud that he's battling. Don't need to bring worms or lepto into the house.
My poor boy...I feel so selfish not just biting the bullet and saying enough is enough...but when he loves my noserubs the way he does and Fiver and he seem to enjoy each other's company (even if through the panels) I hate the idea. I know he can't go on forever, but I want every minute I can steal from the Black Rabbit.
Once he's gone, he's gone. I'll never see him again. I can't bear it.
He's been such a little soldier all these years. But every good soldier deserves his rest, doesn't he? Why then do I feel like I'm cutting his existence short rather than giving him the gift I tell everyone else it is? I know the saying, "better a day too early than a moment too late," but with my doubts about my judgement and understanding of situations in the last few years, I worry I'm not seeing things clearly.
Just because he rolled once doesn't indicate anything serious, does it? His balance is pants anyway...I don't want a lot of extraneous tests run to annoy him with...I have a number of a vet who'll come to the house in case he starts failing over the weekend...but how many times can I roll the dice, even with a rabbit who has heretofore beaten all the odds and the predictions of more than a few vets?
I'm beginning to believe that bunny keepers are secret adrenaline junkies. We'd have to be to live with an animal who can take a turn for the worse any day and have us racing to find a cure through any weather or risky situation. At least I must be one, I have no other explanation for my stubbornness in this matter...besides the fact that I'm besotted with this little man.
I just don't want to miss the cue, however well hidden, that he's ready...or not ready. I don't want to make a mistake.
Sorry, I know there are so many who have lost dear friends here lately and I've no right to complain...I grieve with all of you and also with those facing this miserable decision.
I'm pathetic. But I know there are those here who will understand why I feel this way. This is the only place I can bring my thoughts where there is empathy. I didn't mean to turn this into a rant. I'm very concerned that I handle Mimzy's health care properly all the way to the end...whenever that may be.
Thanks for reading, if you've come this far. Or even if you only got part way. And if anyone's got vibes going spare that they would send my little man's way, we'd both be very grateful for them. xx
I was scared to death yesterday because Mimzy rolled. There is nothing more terrifying than a bunny in an out of control barrel roll...unless it's the bunny you've loved more than your own life for over ten years.
It's been almost 5 years now since he first got head tilt. Took him 6 months to recover to a point where, although wonky, he could eat and move on his own. But I remember those first few weeks where all he could do was roll. No balance whatsoever and just a mild shift would send him around like a ping pong ball. We seriously considered ending his life there and then because it was so awful. I prayed I would never see this happen again.
Pip had one bad episode of rolling in the years before we left Alaska. I had forgotten it until I ordered a copy of her records after her death. I even found the videos I took of her not being able to walk without circling when I got her to the vet that day. It was ruled an ear infection and she recovered, completely I thought, about a week later after abx.
I've not seen Fiver roll, but he has flopped like a landed fish due to bad landings on arthritic joints and it's just as scary because you can't stop it till it stops on it's own. You can steady them and pad them up so they don't hurt themselves, but it's hell until they are stabilised.
It was a terrible flashback and had my heart pounding out of my chest, because Mimzy hasn't been very well in the last few months, so when I heard the all too familiar flailing and bunny body and feet slamming against the enclosure panel I went into full on panic mode. I'd been in the kitchen, just a short distance away, washing Ebon's feet after she came back into the house from her morning walk. The noise had me running to him and my heart just broke seeing him on his side, unable to right himself. Absolutely no idea how it got started and so my first thought was, God...he's sick, this is it. I promised him years ago that I wouldn't make him go through all that again.
Got him up relatively easily and he was flapping his ears about. Knocked the wind out of him, surely. Took him a few minutes to orient himself again. Seems like lately he's always a bit out of breath but we've never seen anything on xray to treat. I know his stress level has something to do with it but he's sturdy for all that and no vet really sees it as unusual.
I couldn't stop the tears coming, I've been trying to bring myself to a place where I can say goodbye to him since he will likely only worsen from here on in and I will be traveling out of state sometime this summer. I can't leave him for my daughter to care for and take the chance he suffers or passes while I'm gone.
So I talked to his vet's office and we've got a tentative appointment for Wednesday next. He's been treated for some kind of eye infection, his lame leg is okay but the fur won't grow back and he still holds it under himself. He has at times now crawled where he needs to go, and it occurs to me he may have tripped over his bedding and that's what sent him into the wall. He was fine the rest of the day, if a bit subdued, and was full of beans in the evening as usual. But he's sounding congested, no runny nose though, I think...even if all it is is teeth that is the problem there I know my vet doesn't want to put him under for a dental because he's sure he'll lose him. Personally, if I thought it would improve his QOL at this point I'd say take the risk and if he goes, he goes, but I can't afford a full dental and not certain a semi-conscious one would solve the issue.
Unless the vet tells me he is beyond help, I won't pts next week, but I know the day is coming. I just want time with him out in the sun and the grass, but I've found areas of either skunk or raccoon poo in our yard (we have both trespassing here) and I wouldn't want to expose him to more pathogens...with his possible e.c. alone, that's enough crud that he's battling. Don't need to bring worms or lepto into the house.
My poor boy...I feel so selfish not just biting the bullet and saying enough is enough...but when he loves my noserubs the way he does and Fiver and he seem to enjoy each other's company (even if through the panels) I hate the idea. I know he can't go on forever, but I want every minute I can steal from the Black Rabbit.
Once he's gone, he's gone. I'll never see him again.
I can't bear it.He's been such a little soldier all these years. But every good soldier deserves his rest, doesn't he?
Why then do I feel like I'm cutting his existence short rather than giving him the gift I tell everyone else it is? I know the saying, "better a day too early than a moment too late," but with my doubts about my judgement and understanding of situations in the last few years, I worry I'm not seeing things clearly.Just because he rolled once doesn't indicate anything serious, does it? His balance is pants anyway...I don't want a lot of extraneous tests run to annoy him with...I have a number of a vet who'll come to the house in case he starts failing over the weekend...but how many times can I roll the dice, even with a rabbit who has heretofore beaten all the odds and the predictions of more than a few vets?
I'm beginning to believe that bunny keepers are secret adrenaline junkies. We'd have to be to live with an animal who can take a turn for the worse any day and have us racing to find a cure through any weather or risky situation. At least I must be one, I have no other explanation for my stubbornness in this matter...besides the fact that I'm besotted with this little man.
I just don't want to miss the cue, however well hidden, that he's ready...or not ready. I don't want to make a mistake.
Sorry, I know there are so many who have lost dear friends here lately and I've no right to complain...I grieve with all of you and also with those facing this miserable decision.
I'm pathetic. But I know there are those here who will understand why I feel this way. This is the only place I can bring my thoughts where there is empathy. I didn't mean to turn this into a rant. I'm very concerned that I handle Mimzy's health care properly all the way to the end...whenever that may be.
Thanks for reading, if you've come this far. Or even if you only got part way. And if anyone's got vibes going spare that they would send my little man's way, we'd both be very grateful for them. xx
Last edited:
