I think unfortunately it’s something only you can know, really, with the advice of your vet.

I’ve had two bunnies put to sleep. One lost the use of his back legs aged about 4, I gave him medication for a while, but he hated it and fought me every day. He couldn’t clean himself, couldn’t eat properly, couldn’t run or play and I felt that he had no quality of life, and I was forcing him through miserable medicating every day with no end goal. The vet agreed with me, which helped me feel secure in my decision.

The second bunny was the most heartbreaking for me. I took him into the vet after he had poisoned himself eating chocolates. They weren’t too concerned but kept him in to monitor him. They ended up keeping him in for 3 days, and he steadily deteriorated over that time. They operated on him, and did everything they could, but they ended up calling me at 6am to say they HAD to put him down right now because he was suffering too much. I was absolutely heartbroken that I couldn’t be there for him, and I was heartbroken that I had dragged out his misery for an extra 3 days. Of course, if he had survived then it would have been worth it, but because he didn’t I felt terrible that I had prolonged his suffering.

If you feel that all of your interventions are doing nothing but making her miserable, then perhaps the time is coming. But if you only have to give her 5 minutes of stress a day and she’s happy for the rest of it, then you’re probably ok to go on a bit longer. Can your vet up her painkillers if she looks huddled and uncomfortable?

I’m sorry you have to make this decision, it’s very difficult, but its a very personal decision.

Oh that’s so terribly sad, my heart breaks for you I can not begin to imagine how you must be feeling. You sound like such a caring, dedicated owner and I’m sure that’s why your sweetheart still seeks out your affection. 

I was going to say so long as little bun still has happiness in her life, to keep her around until she let’s you know in her way that she’s ready to go to sleep. I don’t know. Unfortunately it’s something only you can know in your heart because you know her better than anyone. I’m sorry I can’t advise, I just couldn’t read and not say anything. I’m genuinely so saddened by this. Hugs to you and Icey xxx

Poor Icey. I can’t imagine having to make this decision. It’s so tough because we can’t just ask them what they want to do, we have to be their advocates.

I think that as long as she seeks you out for attention that she’s not ready to go. I imagine that when she’s truly ready to give up, you’ll notice her attitude change a bit.

It’s so heartbreaking to think about, best of luck with this tough decision.

Weirdly enough (or maybe not with me) I don’t agree with euthanising any animal at all.

Why play God. Death IS a natural part of life and it will happen, and it may happen during sleep or may happen over a gut wrenching, physically heart breaking long period of time; it’s just not for us to step in and think “ok enough suffering now, time to go”. I hate this human arrogance.

I’m the one, in a room full of people watching David Attenborough, and everyone’s shouting “save the poor seal” or “rescue the poor bear that’s stuck on ice” etc; saying “leave it alone”. Let nature happen the way it needs to happen. It’s not for us to step in in decisions like this.

I know my view won’t be popular at all, it’s just part of culture here, you euthanize whenever you (wisely) choose, but I am throwing it out there so people can be exposed to a different view – one that may well make them stop and think.

I think it’s pretty unkind to tell someone struggling with an extremely difficult decision (that they are only thinking about with the best interests of their pet in mind) that it’s arrogant.

When my vet called to say my beloved bunny was screaming in pain and there was nothing they could do, was it arrogant to ask them to stop his suffering? I’m pretty sure my vet would have accused me of extreme animal cruelty had I denied them, and I would never have considered leaving my bunny in utter misery, out of love.

Personally, if I was in that state, I would also want someone to kindly kill me.

I didn’t mean the original poster was arrogant, it’s just a arrogant human trait that the whole of humanity has. The ability to think we can interfere in anything and everything.

The difference is I wouldn’t want someone to kill me, in that situation, and I also don’t belive in euthanising a human being at that point in their life either. Imo it’s not “kinder” to kill someone when you think “there’s no point left” because human capacity isn’t all encompassing and ultimate. Unlike the outcome of that decision – death.

I’m sorry you are now confronted with such a difficult decision . I don’t have any advice particular to this topic, but for fiber intake, do you think Icey would graze on some yard grass?

In a situation like this, I don’t think that it’s entirely relevant to consider if we are “playing God”. I think that it comes down to choosing to be merciful in a situation where death is certain and prolonging suffering is just putting off the inevitable. God forbid it, but if anything ever happens to me and I’m suffering with no possibility of improvement, then I would want the mercy kill to be honest.

I think it’s important to remember that a wild bunny with medical issues would be killed by a predator nearly as soon as they began showing symptoms of pain or illness. It is a natural part of life in that way, but by keeping rabbits as pets, we have removed the “natural” way that most rabbits die.

Fluffykins, I think it is part of being a responsible pet owner to make a decision as to whether you are prolonging your pet’s suffering for your own benefit, or for theirs. “Playing God” has nothing to do with it, as you are already responsible for every aspect of that animal’s life. By your definition, keeping a pet at all is “playing God” as you are preventing them from living a “natural” life.

Back to the original poster, I’m so sorry your baby is doing poorly. I don’t really have too much to offer, except that you know her best, and whatever decision you make will be a merciful one as you know her best.

This might have been covered in your other thread, but has your vet prescribed pain meds at all? Do you think she may be gassy? Kale and bok choy can cause gas, do you think she could be in pain from that? I’m just wondering if something may be going on with her GI tract aside from her teeth. Or maybe something else wrong (cancer?)? Has she had a blood panel done?

I know member Vanessa had to have her EC bunny Lancelot wear diapers sometimes to keep him clean. She also used puppy pee pads in his enclosure to help keep him clean.

You might have already tried this, but fragrant herbs can stimulate sick bunnies to eat. Try basil, mint, fennel, cilantro, parsley. If you “slap” them against your arm before feeding it releases the aromatics and makes them more enticing.

(((Icey)))

Awwwwww she sounds like such a sweet bunny. I’m glad you guys liked it, I came across the poem online and it was perfect to me because Ophelia is always standing on my feet begging for food when I’m in the kitchen

Posted By BunNoob on 12/21/2017 7:18 AM

Awwwwww she sounds like such a sweet bunny. I’m glad you guys liked it, I came across the poem online and it was perfect to me because Ophelia is always standing on my feet begging for food when I’m in the kitchen

I haven’t yet gotten fur in my coffee (chiefly because I don’t make coffee at home presently, I get it other places) but the other three fit me, and I do have fur on my clothes (particularly my navy-blue cloth coat, which has been developing quite a nice layer of white bunny fur).

Posted By joea64 on 12/21/2017 9:18 AM

Posted By BunNoob on 12/21/2017 7:18 AM

Awwwwww she sounds like such a sweet bunny. I’m glad you guys liked it, I came across the poem online and it was perfect to me because Ophelia is always standing on my feet begging for food when I’m in the kitchen

I haven’t yet gotten fur in my coffee (chiefly because I don’t make coffee at home presently, I get it other places) but the other three fit me, and I do have fur on my clothes (particularly my navy-blue cloth coat, which has been developing quite a nice layer of white bunny fur).

I’ll admit that I honestly have gotten fur in my coffee  mainly because Ophelia is free roam of the place, and she’s taken up sleeping on my bed and the couch, so sometimes I’ll get some fur floaters that made their way to the coffee table and into my cup. Ah well, what’s the harm? I’ve also ended up with fur in my mouth lots of times

As mentioned before, it really is a decision that needs to be made by those who know (and love) her best. I can absolutely relate in your heartbreaking situation as I’m in a similar one with my elder bun, Bindi. He’s almost 11 and in pretty bad shape so not sure how much time I have left with him.

Has the vet looked into what could be making her ill and not want to eat? Done bloodwork or run any tests?

((((Hugs to you)))))