Bereavment

[Binky&Beret]

By Thursday afternoon our bunny, Beret, was lying down and wasn’t himself. I had last seen him eat and hop about at 1pm, at 5.30pm I took him to the vet. They gave him some injections (painkiller, hunger stimulant and another to get his digestive system going more) and sent us home with medication and recovery food. We feed him that night and the next morning, but took him back to the vet at 10am Friday. Over the weekend his temperature was up and down, and they thought he had a urinary infection. He started to improve – pooing and eating, his temp went down. Today he took a turn for the worse and they decided to do surgery to see if he had a blockage (x-rays had come up clear). It was during surgery they discovered he had a raptured colon and put him to sleep while still under. We haven’t had them long and were given them. The vet says it’s quite unusual and is going to speak to a colleague regarding this. We’ve treated both Binky and Beret the same and don’t know what could have happened.

Binky has been confused the last few days and kept going over the Beret’s cage and standing up looking around more than normal. They weren’t bonded (couldn’t be out at the same time together as they’d fight) but they did always sniff each other. I’m now worried about Binky and wondered if there are any suggestions to help him understand his friend has gone away. Should I give him some of Beret’s toys?

My husband and I cannot believe we’ve lost Beret – he was such an intelligent bunny and had his own little personality, he really had made a huge impact on us in a short space of time. What I’m finding very upsetting is that as he would ran around lots I’ve hardly got any photos of him and most are a bit blurry. I cannot stop crying, I love him so much.

[Three Little Bunnies]

I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your bunny! I don’t know what could be causing Binky’s behavior. You could try giving him some of Beret’s toys or something that belonged to him. My three aren’t all bonded yet but one of them, Eeyore, seems to enjoy having the other two in their pen nearby, so maybe Binky is wondering where Beret is.

[Binky&Beret]

Thank you – we’ll give him a couple of Beret’s toys today. Otherwise, we’re just trying to spend a lot of time with Binky. My husband works from home and can see him from his office (two rooms are opposite), so he’s always got someone there. They used to play in their room one at a time, as we were intending to try and bond them. Is it too soon to let Binky have the run of the house (been bunny-proofed, and over the weekend because we thought he was sad without Beret we did let him explore the living room)? I’m just not sure how much time he needs…or is it good to let him explore more as it may time his mind of where Beret could be?

[Asriel and Bombur]

So sorry for you loss. Binky Free Beret <3 Because they weren't bonded it's not really going to be a big deal to him. He's probably confused just out of routine and being used to seeing Beret always. I think it would be lovely for him to have the run of the place. If they weren't neutered, that's probably why they were fighting. So if you ever do decide to get Binky a friend in the future, make sure they are both neutered.

[Binky&Beret]

Thank you – they were both neutered but Beret had only been done about 6 weeks ago, where Binky a few months older so had been done much earlier. I’m assuming it is best to let him explore one room at a time. Otherwise, could be overwhelming and frighten him. 

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