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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 RAINBOW BRIDGE My sweet Oakley has passed

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    • SamC
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        Oakley died very suddenly last night. We are all in shock. She was running laps around the house just two days ago and her last meal was a small snack of a bit of strawberry and banana. She seemed so healthy and she was young too. Only 2-3 years. I don’t know what could have happened. I heard a terrible squeaking sound at 3am and ran into the bun room. I flicked on the light and it looked like she was in respiratory distress. She convulsed a bit and I picked her up and held her for just a moment before she squirmed out of my arms. She lay down, took two more breaths, and died. Just like that. I’ve never heard of such a sudden death in a healthy adult SPAYED rabbit. She was at the vet less than 2 months ago. I’ve had her for 8 months and I already miss her terribly. If anyone has any insight into what went on I would greatly appreciate it. I’m looking for a vet to do a post-mortem, so that I know if it’s something that could affect Healy too.

        Here is Oakley’s story. I visited an spca in July of 2011 to see the buns. I was thinking of giving Healy, my other rescue bun, a friend. Oakley caught my eye right away. She was a gorgeous lionhead mix with adorable coloration. I held her and she was so sweet and cooperative. I took Healy to meet her the very next day. She seemed interested in him, he couldn’t care less. That was good enough for me. I arranged the adoption, but she had to be spayed first. I returned a week later to pick her up. She lived in my bedroom for a month following the surgery and then I began introductions. They went horribly! After many failed bonding sessions I sent them to Little Miracles Rabbit Rescue, where Healy was from. They bonded them for me and I picked them up from “camp” a week later. They lived happily as free range bunnies for many months until they got too destructive. Oakley liked to chew bed sheets, rain boots, duffle bags, guitar cases, t-shirts, you name it. I broke down and moved all my furniture around to give them their own room. They loved it.

        Oakley was the sweetest bun I’ve ever met. She was so docile, whereas Healy is a small terror. But for as gentle as she was to Healy and I, she didn’t take any crap from my cat. She would beat him up every chance she got, it was a sight to see! She hated slippery floors so I was always putting fleece down to make her more comfortable. One time I guess I took to long to put the fleece down and as I was knelt down and bent over trying to smooth out the corners she jumped up on my back and sat there for a good 5 minutes before I could get her down. She loved Healy so much and was always trying to be near him. Neither of them seemed to know how to groom one another so they would just force their head under the other’s chin as an invitation to groom. Then the other bun would do the same. It was always entertaining.

        I think Healy does miss her. He always acted like he didn’t need her, but I know that he loved snuggling by her side. He seems restless right now. He escaped the xpen that blocks off the bun room. Now he is just sitting in the doorway watching me. I don’t think he wants to be alone. I offered him some raisins which he accepted eagerly. I’m going to keep a very close eye on him for signs of grieving. I’ll also take him to the vet asap for a check up. It is very unnerving not knowing why my Oakley died.


      • Sarita
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          Hugs, I’m so sorry about Oakley.

          I think your best bet to discover what happened is the post-mortem but it has to be done within 24 hours and you need to keep the body cold or frozen from what I understand. Just because a rabbit is spayed doesn’t mean that something cannot be wrong – this protects against uterine cancer, but not all cancer. Rabbits hide illnesses so well that sometimes it’s too late when you do discover a problem to do anything to help them.

          I would contact Sweet Binks to see about getting Healy a new friend :~)


        • Pandorachik
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            aw I am so sorry. I just lost a bun, and I know how it feels- It feels like something major is missing!


          • bunnyfriend
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              I am so sorry You gave Oakley a happy, loving life. Binky free Oakley


            • RabbitPam
              Moderator
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                I am so sorry about Oakley. A sudden death in a rabbit happens more often than we want to believe, and it is a shock. Taking Healy to the vet is a good idea, just to rule out any contagious illness. You may never know what caused it, but some bunnies have a weak heart, for example, or a genetic disorder that can’t be recognized. The important thing is that you gave her a wonderful home, a husbun, and lots of love. She had a sweet life with you and running laps just showed it.

                Take comfort from Healy by snuggling him and giving him extra attention. It will help you and it will help him.
                {{{{{{{{{{Hugs to you both}}}}}}}}}


              • lashkay
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                1548 posts Send Private Message

                  I’m so sorry…Oakley was a sweet bun and she knew she was loved and in a loving home with Healy and you. Healing vibes that your present grief turns into sweet remembering of her when she was well. You’re a good bunny-mommy.


                • SamC
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                    Thanks everyone. I’m waiting for the results of Oakley’s necropsy. In the meantime, Healy has been to the vet and we got some more bad news.

                    He is in the beginning stages of kidney failure. It’s a huge blow, especially after losing Oaks. I also just learned that my 7 month old cat has a chronic and incurable virus as well. It has been a rough week. You think that you are taking the best possible care of your pets, you read the books, buy the good food, you clean up after them, you spoil them, and still, all of that isn’t enough to keep them safe and healthy. It’s sad. I can’t help but think of all the people who do the bare minimun for their animals and in return they live longer than mine. It is a terrible irony.

                    Healy seems to be grieving more today. He begs for attention constantly and doesn’t want to be left alone in his room. I’ve been spending a lot of time with him and he seems to appreciate my company. His appetite is less so I am keeping a close eye on that. I’m thinking of starting another topic about Healy’s kidney disease.

                    Thanks again everyone.

                     

                    Oakley is the lionhead on the bottom, Healy is the one on top. They were a cute couple.


                  • Sarita
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                      Oh hugs to you. Such sad times. Sending strength vibes to you.


                    • bellemarie
                      Participant
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                        I am so sorry for your loss. The same thing happened to my friend Chelsea’s bunny about a wk ago..She was confused too.


                      • jerseygirl
                        Moderator
                        22338 posts Send Private Message

                          So heartbreaking! I’m really sorry for your loss and all you are going through with the furbabies at the moment. Thank you for sharing a bit about Oakely here. Though she didn’t get to live with you long enough, she did get out of a facility and into a home. And she got a bunny friend too. You gave her that! She sounded like a complete sweetie.
                          ***Binky Free Oakley***

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                      Forum RAINBOW BRIDGE My sweet Oakley has passed