Can’t understand what happened

[Daytrippera]

This last Friday I lost my Holland Lop bunny, two months old.

I honestly, don’t know what happened, I took her to the vet on Thursday night, since I noticed what seemed to be a roundworm in her poop. They gave me antiparasitic drug to give to her for 5 days and a flea remedy (as a precaution) to give to her also. Other than that, they told me she was looking great.

But on Friday when I came back from work, I saw her running non stop from one corner to her cage to the next one. She was wet, since she apparently even ran in the water bowl, and she seemed to be hitting her head every time she reached a corner. She paid absolutely no attention at all when I called her or tried to stopped her from running like crazy.

I got really scared, I called to the vet I took her the previous day, and they told me that maybe she was intoxicated by the medication they gave me, that in some rare cases that happens. But I got no other explanation o how to proceed with this than that. And that is a veterinary for exotic animals.

Then I called to the people that sold me the bunny, they told me that for what I told them she was intoxicated, they asked what she ate. And I told them pellets and alfalfa hay (the hay I bought at the veterinary).

The told me that they have had a lot of problems with hay for feeding rabbits. Because here, in Argentina, food or hay for domestic rabbits don’t exist. So you have to feed them with farm pellets (like the ones that you buy for raising rabbits for fur or meat purposes and vegetables and fruits, as well as branches from willow trees etc.). Timothy hay here is non existing.

And that most rabbits become intoxicated with hay here, because it’s not clean hay, but instead may have worms, or be dirty, etc. Which ends up making the bunnies sick.

After about an hour of her running non stop from corner to corner, she stopped, and started dying, she was like 20 minutes with convulsion until she died. Which was horrible.

I honestly feel so bad and sad for not being able to do anything about it, she was the sweetest thing and I just keep going over and over my head to what I could have done different. This is my first post, but I’ve been reading this forum even since before having a bunny.

I feel so heartbroken, and angry because I feel I was rip off by the veterinary. And I would like to know if anybody else may have gone through the same kind of experience or if you have any idea of what could have happened.

Thank you.

[LBJ10]

I’m so sorry that this happened. Poor little thing. =(

I’m suspicious of the worm and flea medications. What were they? Do you know?

[LongEaredLions]

I am so sorry. ((((hugs))))
I am also thinking it could have been the meds. Things like Frontline, which are fine on dogs and cats, can be deadly to bunnies.

[robyn and 'tipps']

 

I’m so, so sorry. Heartbreaking to read that. Poor bunny and I cannot imagine how devastating this is for you. This is just so sad. I feel for you.

Robyn

[Daytrippera]

Thank you for your replies.

Regarding medications, they gave me an anti-flea medication supposedly for bunnies, no Frontline or similar.
And for the worms they gave me albendazole.

To be honest, no matter how much I love bunnies, I had a mini rex when I was like 8 years old, and never had a problem with her. I don’t feel like having another one is the way to go, here food for bunnies of good quality is more than hard to get, and I mean pellets, forget about hay. Which is not quality made for having bunnies as pets. And now I have no veterinary in the area that could help me in case of an emergency or a simple consultation.

The people that gave me this bunny, told me they would give me another one, as a gift, but to be honest, I wouldn’t feel sure for taking care of it, since I have no savvy vet in the area.

I’ve been wanting to have a bunny as a pet for so long, and I tried to gave her the best of cares a lots of love, and unfortunately, that wasn’t enough.

[lozzkate]

heyy never say that you didnt give enough love or the best of care that’s just being mean to yourself and i wont stand for it

from what I’ve read you did your best till the end and what rabbit could wish for more? like ive said in other posts it’s hard when you dont know what happened ive had two rabbits that have died and i got no answers as to why. i would suggest going to that vet and ask them if they could talk with you to see what really happened so the same thing wont happen again if you decide to find a new friend. as for the food the people you got your rabbit from should be able to give you ideas on where they get their food supplie from. dont let this one bad experience stop you from giving a rabbit a loving home.

[Ellekke]

Oh no, this is terrible. I’m so sorry for your loss!

I agree with Lozzkate. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You sound like a very dedicated bunny parent! You did everything you could to help your bunny.
A lot of us have been there, a bunny suddenly dying. I remember my first bunny. One day she was fine and the next day she had died overnight. Sometimes there’s just nothing you can do.

[robyn and 'tipps']

 

You clearly did everything you could do. Again I have to say your story saddens me immensely. Only you will decide whether another little friend is a good idea or not. Understand the vet issue but I do know you can buy TIM hay from Amazon even.

 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=tomothy+hay

Ive bought treats there in the past before I found a local source. Do Google searches.

Take care and the best of luck whatever you decide.

 

Robyn

[Daytrippera]

Thank you so much for your support and words!

I’ll take some time, and then I’ll see if I get another bunny, for the time being, I feel like I need some time to process what happened.

Is amazing how such a small thing can reach to your heart so fast.

This was her, by the way, her name was Molky and I miss her so so much.

[LongEaredLions]

They really do leave pawprints on your heart, don’t they. What a darling.
You will know when you are ready for another bun.

[BelarusianBunny]

What a sad situation; I send my condolences. Molky was so beautiful! What a darling.

I understand your situation about not being able to find Timothy hay. When I lived in Eastern Europe, there were not many options for bunnies. Our vet (experienced with rabbits but had more chinchillas in the practice, weird…) suggested we purchase hay from a farm. I knew better than that because I had cows. I cannot stress the difference of quality from livestock quality hay to rabbit quality Timothy hay. Parasites, yuck. As has been mentioned here, the best option (in the future if you decide to get another bunny) in non-bunny markets is to locate sources online if that is possible for you.

Sorry for going off on a tangent but I want to say how sorry I am you lost your bunny.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I would like to offer my condolences. Your bunny was beautiful. They do steal your heart very fast, I know.

((((Binky Free Little One))))))

[robyn and 'tipps']

 

Oh, she was so, so beautiful! Once again, I’m really sorry for the loss of such a lovely creature. She will always be with you though in some way. She has made an imprint on your heart, that is certain. Best wishes…

 

Robyn

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