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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A How to deal with putting 1/2 a bonded pair down?

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    • skibunny8503
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        Hey guys!  I haven’t been on BB for awhile because of being pregnant and then we had our baby 3 weeks early!    We’re all doing well here, tired but good.

        After we got home from the hospital we took Gracie to the vets to get cleaned up.  We let her out afterwards and she had gotten worse since we had been in the hospital.  It seems the more pregnant I got the worse Gracie got.  Her right back foot is causing her pain and she can’t hop right anymore, she kind of skips and doesn’t hop straight.  Today she did cecals on her back right foot and got all dirty again.  There’s not much else we can do for her and she keeps getting dirty.  We’ve had her for 3 wonderful years and it breaks my heart to have to let her go but at the same time it breaks my  heart to see her uncomfortable and in pain.  Even if we didn’t have a baby right now we’d still be making the same decision. 

        My question is what do I do about Archie?  We’re thinking about getting Gracie cremated (if they can).  How do I break it to Archie, do I bring Gracie back to the house or do I bring Archie to the vets?  I’ve never done this before, how long do I keep her by him?  Is there anything else I should know?

        I think Archie knows it’s time to let go, he’s been more distant from Gracie but he still cuddles with her.


      • Sam and Lady's Human
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          I must’ve missed it so I apologize, but what exactly is wrong with Gracie? Thats gotta be so stressful


        • skibunny8503
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            She’s older, we’re not sure how old but maybe 9 years old or older.  She has hindlimb paralysis and it’s been getting worse over the year.  We’ve bathed her, kept her clean, gave her metacam to ease the inflamation but it’s slowly gotten worse.  She’d drag her legs sometimes but now it looks like her foot is hurting her and she can’t hop right.  She doesn’t come out of her cage that much anymore.  She eats great, that’s why it has been so difficult making this decision.


          • Sarita
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              You may be surprised at how the surviving rabbit recovers. I currently have 2 singles from bonded pairs and they are doing better than I expected.


            • Sam and Lady's Human
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                I’ve heard its easier for buns if they see themselves that their friend has passed, so I would probably take him with you to the vet and give him a few minutes or more to, well, say his goodbyes.


              • LittlePuffyTail
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                  I’m so sorry to hear this about Gracie. I know you are doing what is best for her. I don’t have any advice for you, just offering my support.


                • RabbitPam
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                    I’m sorry Gracie is in distress, and it sounds very similar to what Spockie when through in his final months at age 8. I had taken him to the vet and braced myself to decide to have him euthanized, only to have him die in my arms in her office while waiting for her to arrive. So it truly was his time.

                    I would bring Archie with you to the vet, and ask the vet if he could spend a few moments with Gracie after she is put to sleep. They seem to do better if they can be near the mate after she’s gone for closure as you know. It won’t matter if he spends her last moments with her before except for bringing her comfort. I think it would be very hard on you to bring her back home to him, then back again for her cremation.


                  • Sarita
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                      It wouldn’t hurt to take Archie and I would. But in both cases with my rabbits they were so distracted from what was going on – the smells, the new place, the sounds that they didn’t really get much comfort from being there. I wondered why I bothered but I would still do it for the ill one.


                    • jerseygirl
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                        Thinking of you guys.
                        {{{Gracie, Archie, Sandy and their human family}}}


                      • Elrohwen
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                          Big hugs for you, your family, and little Archie. I think I would take Archie along, but like Sarita said I’m not sure he’ll really understand anything.


                        • Mandyyy
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                            Aww, i’m sorry. It is always hard when you have to make that choice for a pet. *hugs*
                            I also think it would be best if your remaining bun saw him gone. My rabbits were bonded for 6 years, and Domino passed away in their cage one night from old age. So my Nava saw that she was gone and I think she accepted it. At first she was mopey, but now she is lively again.


                          • MimzMum
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                              I’m so sorry to hear that Gracie has been more poorly. I know this is a hard decision to come to.

                              I would take Archie. Despite it all it is best he have the option. Please give Gracie snuggles from me and my bunnies. She has truly been a trooper and you have done the best you can for her. She’ll be released from a body that is failing her and yet won’t be too uncomfortable to recognize Archie to say goodbye.
                              I’m in tears just typing it. I am so sorry. She’s such a sweetheart, even though I don’t know her well I will miss her.
                              Please give Archie some snuggles from us also. I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for all of you.
                              And I do want to add…wow, baby three weeks early! It must be reassuring to have this new human life to cuddle at this time. My kids are 20 and 22 but when folks tell me about their newborns it takes me right back there.
                              Be good to one another and take care of yourselves. God bless you all.


                            • skibunny8503
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                                Thanks everyone! It just sucks that there’s one new life and one life that is ending. I made the appt, I still can’t believe it. She’ll be going to the bridge on Friday at 4:40. We’re going to get her cremated. I don’t like having her cremated but we’re not staying in this house forever and I want her to come with us. Last night I saw Archie and Gracie cuddling, it broke my heart seeing them so close like that knowing she’ll be gone soon. I talked to the dr and asked if Archie could have a few moments with her after. It’s hard enough putting her down but it’ll be even harder seeing him say goodbye


                              • LittlePuffyTail
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                                  I will be thinking of you all. I can’t imagine how hard this is for you. I’m so sad just hearing about it. Stay strong for Archie. He is really going to need you.


                                • Kokaneeandkahlua
                                  Participant
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                                    *****HUGS**** That really sucks. Making the appointment is so hard-it’s like getting to that point to make that decision final. **HUGS**

                                    Noot came to see Chuck off to the bridge and I think that helped both of us tremedously. Chuck certainly was comforted by Noot’s presence-and that’s the point. I think you get home later and worry about the other’s wellbeing with lots of cuddles and attention and comforting, but at that moment you and the other are there for the one crossing the bridge.
                                    I held Chuck in my arms and my mom held Noot so he could snuggle Chuck. I highly recommend bringing someone-I was giong to go by myself but it would have been really hard, I was glad my mom came with. Bring someone if you can.

                                    *hugs* I’ll be thiinking of you,


                                  • MimzMum
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                                      Thinking of you today. Sending big hugs for all of you. (((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))
                                      Lots of vibes for a peaceful passing for precious Gracie. ((((((((((Vibes))))))))))))


                                    • jerseygirl
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                                        Ditto^. I hope for a peaceful journey for her too. {{{{{Gracie}}}}}


                                      • Sarita
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                                          Peaceful journey for Gracie. I’ll be thinking of all of you.


                                        • Monkeybun
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                                            Read the poem I posted int eh Rainbow Bridge section, ski. Maybe it will help after she is gone.

                                            My thoughts are with you on this very rough day.


                                          • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                                              {{Peaceful journey vibes}}


                                            • BinkyBunny
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                                                I know this is a heart breaking day. I have been there. The stress and pain of leading up to what you had to go through, the actual moments, and then returning home where the space doesn’t feel the same, is very sad. It can be also  heartbreaking to go watch the bonded mate left behind deal with it. I had chosen to bring Jack’s body back to the house instead of bringing Vivian to the vet for some of the same reasons that Sarita mentioned. But it seems that others had the benefits as well to bring their bunny to the vet for the process. I think that is something that is an individual choice as the choice I made was especially difficult for us.

                                                I have had bunnies bounce back without a problem, others like Jack (when he lost Rucy) would go into a sort of funk and wouldn’t eat, while Vivian was a special case to me and she just tore everything up. She was aggressive and destructive and was unsettled for a few days, but she is a strong gal and she is doing fine now. She is definitely a bunny that likes to cuddle though with another bunny and so she has her toy bunny that she grooms often and snuggles with. She has settled well though into taking over the Queendom.

                                                Get rest you need as this was a very hard day, and for the next little while it will be hard. Allow yourself to cry, get enough sleep and take extra special care of yourself and Archie. (lots of extra attention).

                                                My heart goes out to you. Big hugs. Binky Free Grace. She’s at peace now.


                                              • skibunny8503
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                                                  Thanks everyone!  My husband came with me, he loved her just as much as I did   She went peacefully and I wrote all about it here: https://www.binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/a…fault.aspx 

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                                              Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A How to deal with putting 1/2 a bonded pair down?