Biscuits was put to sleep at 3:30am.

[RetroSquid]

I only ever seem to make it back here when things are the absolute worst.

I tried uploading pictures but the site isn’t playing well with my phone. I uploaded some in the lounge, I think, when Biscuits came to us 6 months ago.

After a rough morning of presumed GI Stasis, doing all the things we know to do in these situations, he wasn’t improving.

It was Sunday, so I had to take him to our out of hours vets, who I knew didn’t have a rabbit specialist.

After 5 hours, they were able to get hold of a rabbit specialist at the big vet school about an hour away. They’re a great vet and were our regular vet before we moved away 4 years ago.

His blood work was confusing, though outwardly, he presented like a typical GI Stasis case, his bloods were all over the place.

A CT scan diagnosed him with Gastric Dilation-Volvulus, or, flipped stomach. He’s only the second ever case the this condition the entire vet school (the largest and one of the longest running vet universities in Scotland) has ever come across in buns.

Surgical intervention was on the table, but the only other case died two weeks after surgery: after two weeks of agony. We couldn’t put him through that…

My wee boy is gone.

[LBJ10]

RetroSquid – I’m so sorry, I don’t know how this one slipped through the cracks. I didn’t see it until now. 🙁  We have been having issues with uploading media in general lately. There seems to be something wrong with the site.

I’m very sorry to hear about Biscuits. It seems these things always happen over weekends and holidays. However, it sounds like there wasn’t much that could be done so don’t blame yourself. It sounds like it was a very rare thing to have happen.

[RetroSquid]

Yeah, no matter when it happened, there wasn’t really anything we could do. An experimental procedure that, so far, had a 100% failure rate wasn’t really an option.

 

Honestly, I think I’m still in shock. He was such a friendly, gentle, loving wee boy and… Now he’s just gone…

 

Hopper, his companion, has become quite unpredictable. She’s bitten me a few times, she’s become quite destructive and naughty, but also, has been binkying in the evenings.

Home feels turbulent and… Broken just now.

[LBJ10]

You’ve really have a rough time with things the last year(?) or so. It never gets easier losing a bunny. Non-bunny people don’t understand the bond you can form with them. We were talking about this is another thread.

I remember you had originally wanted a trio. Did that every happen? Could Hopper go back with Cinnamon? It sounds like she is lost as well. Binkying isn’t always a sign of happiness. It can be pent up energy as well.

[RetroSquid]

Yeah, the original plan was a trio, but the house had been stable for a while, we were considering just keeping the new status quo. Hopper really hates Bubblegum, our old black and white cat, but when she had Biscuits, she didn’t act out on that hatred, she tolerated him wandering through the living room.

But Cinnamon, upstairs, really has no issues with the cats at all. So we had a good day-to-day rhythm and everyone’s needs were met. But since losing Biscuits, Hopper has started almost hunting for Bubblegum again. Biscuits was such a grounding force for her and would have been the cornerstone of the trio if we moved that way. I don’t see it working at all without him.

Hopper is such an unusual rabbit at the best of times. Everyone that has met her has commented on it. Back in October, she was in the animal hospital due to a minor acute kidney injury caused by GI stasis. The vets said that she wouldn’t be caged and she was more like a dog. They had her accompany them on their rounds in the mornings. She would just hop out of the pen and follow them around the ward. They all said she felt more dog-like.

The last couple of days, she’s been doing this weird crawl up to me, gently nipping me on the belly and then binkying away. It feels like a “come on, chase me” kind of situation, and when I do follow, she binkies and runs circles around me.

She’s been getting a lot of attention for the last week. I’m hoping this change to her behaviour means that her needs are being met. She’s such a… Different rabbit to every bun I’ve ever known, it’s difficult to gauge her body language a lot of the time.

[Bam]

I’m so very sorry, RetroSquid. It’s a horrible decision to have to make, but there was no good option.

Hopper is probably “just” reacting. It’s good that she’s binkying even if, as LBJ says, it’s not always a sign of happiness. Physical “exercise” relieves stress. She’s dealing in her own rabbit way. It can take some time.

 

 

[Wick & Fable]

I’m very sorry for your loss– your options were limited and there was no option that doesn’t leave sadness. I hope you find comfort in knowing Biscuits is binkying pain-free across the rainbow bridge. As for Hopper, rabbits will grieve in their own way. As long as she’s still eating and has energy, that’s the best you can hope for. Rabbits can be surprisingly resilient and be a great support as you grieve as well.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[BrunosMama]

I’m so sorry to hear about Biscuits! Its amazing how one bunny can change the whole dynamic of the household (both for the good and the worse, although I’m glad he was a good anchor for everyone else). I hope your home will eventually find a rhythm again as you all work through the loss.

Binky free, little Biscuits xx

[Author]

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