Poorly elderly bunny.

[Mrs]

Hello, I didn't request hospitalisation. He was in & out over 2 days last year. There are no overnight facilities, I had to bring him home, then take him back the next morning. The options I was given were:
1. Try medication (vet said outlook wasn't good with no guarantees. Also he'd suspect infection in a young rabbit but mine is nearly 9 so could be an underlying tumour).
2. Consider euthanasia.

New vet (same practice) at the weekend said:
1. Not infection as no crackles or wheezes.
2. Persevere with medication.
3. Unfit for chest xray sedation.
4. Consider euthanasia.
5. Nothing more can be done.

We managed his medication last night- not without a struggle! After a week though his breathing is no better. However in every other way he's perfectly normal. Every single day I wake up with dread as to how I'll find him, every single day I'm upset. They're such kind, gentle souls - it's heartbreaking!

 

[William]

Before hospitalization, I'd want to make sure there aren't possibly any better rabbit savvy vets in your area as personally I'm not sure I'd be happy with that hospital (the fact they seem to be only offering batril?, not telling you that hospitalization is necessary considering the severity of the breathing issues, saying there's nothing more they can do to help when they don't even know if it may be an infection rather than a tumor, etc).

Maybe people on here can advise on good vets around your area. I imagine it's tricky if he doesn't travel well.

I really hope there's improvement with more aggressive medication like InspectorMorse has advised. I also have found that mouth breathing is very serious in bunnies. And I've experienced (with another species) how any exertion can lead to almost dying, so i know it's like being stuck between a rock and a hard place

 

[Mrs]

Thank you.
Sadly this morning I found him very still, eyes barely open and struggling with breathing. He then went on to eat a cherry and a big leaf of cavalo nero. I washed his face, had a big fuss, he groomed me back, but it was all a big struggle. I decided to take him to my local vet on foot. By this time he was properly mouth breathing. The vet listened and said there was some sort of space occupying lung lesion. He said he wouldn't survive sedation. He said we could try steroids but it was a means to an end. Sadly at 10.10am he went to RB.
I'm so sad at present. Trying to think of his long (nearly 9) happy life.
I still have his brother (never bonded), so am concentrating on him. It was cruel to watch him suffer.
Thanks all for your input and advice.

 

[Omi]

I'm so very sorry Sending lots of hugs. Sleep tight little boy.

 

[Mrs]

I'm so very sorry Sending lots of hugs. Sleep tight little boy.

Thank you. He will be laid to rest later in his favourite spot in the garden. I still can't believe it, I just want things to be as they were 2 weeks ago!
His brother, from the same litter, seems OK. They weren't bonded, however they sat beside each other in their run, separated by a wire fence. They groomed each other through the bars. They fought if placed together though. I wonder if my current bunny will miss his brother? Obviously he's nearly 9 as well, but thus far has never been ill.

 

[Mrs]

Here's a pic from happier times. I'm really going to miss him.

 

[Omi]

Thank you. He will be laid to rest later in his favourite spot in the garden. I still can't believe it, I just want things to be as they were 2 weeks ago!
His brother, from the same litter, seems OK. They weren't bonded, however they sat beside each other in their run, separated by a wire fence. They groomed each other through the bars. They fought if placed together though. I wonder if my current bunny will miss his brother? Obviously he's nearly 9 as well, but thus far has never been ill.

From what you have described, I think it's very likely that your other bunny will miss his Brother. I hope he copes OK. It's always best to monitor eating, drinking and output in these circumstances.

That's a lovely photo that you've posted of your bunny in your other post.

 

[FireRose]

I am so very sorry for your loss. It’s never easy when bunnies get poorly.

I hope you and his brother are giving each other lots of snuggles. Take it easy on yourself.

 

[Mrs]

Thank you. It's been a week & a day now since Brer left us. Bugs seems to be ok & is enjoying all the snuggles. I on the other hand keep re-playing events over & over in my head. What if this and what if that??? Brer was very poorly on the morning of his last vet trip. The vet said he was very near death in view of his mouth breathing. However, I regret not trying steroids as a very last resort. I went with what the vet advised. It wasn't a peaceful death, Brer struggled to the end, he was really stressed. I'm thankful that he only had a couple of weeks where he had obvious illness - but looking back I'd noticed a few weeks ago how bony and thin he'd started to become. It's tortuous having all these thoughts - especially at night time when trying to sleep.

I am so very sorry for your loss. It’s never easy when bunnies get poorly.

I hope you and his brother are giving each other lots of snuggles. Take it easy on yourself.

 

[Cuthbert&Dillon]

I am so sorry to read this update.

 

[Mrs]

I am so sorry to read this update.

Thank you. Never easy! It's the price we pay. I've lost 2 beloved pets in 2 years and it gets worse every time!! Brer became gravely ill, so it was sadly to be expected, unlike my last bereavement. My lovely 14mth old black lab, a picture of health in every way, collapsed one morning after an ordinary day. He died in front of my eyes in our dining room in less than a minute, no warning, no symptoms. Suspected brain haemorrhage.