Bonded bunny grieving the loss of a partner

[ssk]

My lovely bunny Ms. Misty died this Thursday at home. She had suffered an episode of bloating/GI stasis last Friday and was hospitalized on Saturday. Although she recovered by Tuesday and was discharged the same day from the vet hospital she died suddenly on Thursday evening. I took her body to the vet to confirm whether she was in a state of shock or she has died. I brought her body back and laid her in the same cage as her bonded partner. I was heart broken and was at that same place for over half an hour. Later on I cuddled her body in my arms and sat in my drawing room for quite some time. Later I left her body alone with Mr. Basil for half an hour or so but in my grieved state I really don’t know how much time I sat beside her and I don’t know whether my cries deterred Basil from coming near her body. 

Later at least 4 times when I craddled her body in my arms I went near Basil and showed him her body. When I did that he sniffed her a little bit and then ran away. He did that at least twice.

The next day after I took her body for cremation and returned home and let Mr. Basil run around Ms. Misty’s cage. I had built this cage just a few days ago and Basil had checked it out once when Misty was in that cage. So after I had cremated Misty, Basil went to this cage and did a lot of binkies and flops and ran around in that cage. Perhaps he was grieving but he also does that when he is very excited – but not so many binkies and flops at the same time. Do you know whether he was grieving? Do you think I allowed him enough time with the dead body of Misty? I feel very bad when I read today that one should allow the bonded partner at least an hour with the dead body of its partner. I am not sure whether I really gave that much time for him to grieve over his partner. I was cuddling her dead body and weeping most of the time.

[Gordo and Janice]

I think what you’ve done is fine. It’s hard to do everything absolutely perfect. In the first place, like humans, I’m sure not all rabbits are exactly alike in what they need or how and what they perceive. Just continue to watch Basil and give him extra attention. I’m so sorry for you loss of Ms. Misty. Thank you for being a bunny parent and taking care of not one but two little buns.

Binky free {{{Ms. Misty}}}

[Lauren]

I lost my girl a week ago and her partner is grieving. I didn’t bring her body home to show her partner that she was dead so I feel massively guilty for that. But he has started to show signs that he knows she’s not coming back. His behaviour has changed and giving mixed signs. He too is hopping around and flopping out way more than he used to so I’m taking that as he’s grieving rather than happy and content.

Mr Basil might take a while to process what has happened so keep an eye on his behaviour and as long as he’s eating and drinking and not having any problems with going to the toilet, then it’s okay. Give him loads of attention and treats.

Sorry for you loss.
Binky free Ms.Misty

[Phil]

This is so so sad, Mr Basil is probably quite confused by sounds of it, its very distressing for you and him, not only lost ms misty but new cage to, give him plenty of love and attention, this makes my heartbreak every time I hear a wonderful bunny has died x

[ssk]

Thank you for your comforting words. I feel Mr. Basil is a bit quieter since Saturday but I have spent a lot of time with him this weekend petting him and letting him do whatever he wants. But I sense a quietness about him and he is not his usual cheery self.

[Luna]

I think he understands that she is gone . It’s really good that you are spending extra time with him and keeping an eye on his behavior. I hope you both can help each other through this loss.

Binky free Ms. Misty

[ssk]

Thank you for your response and support. I did notice on Sunday that Mr. Basil’s poops were irregular in shape, somewhat oval or egg shaped. I took it to be a sign that he is traumatized. Perhaps, he is recovering from the loss of Ms. Misty. It is a very difficult time since I did not expect Misty to leave us so soon and it must be very difficult for Mr. Basil too because he has been with her since last 5 years and they were very much in love with each other. Never once have they quarreled with each other or had an unhappy moment. They were really an awesome couple.

I don’t know whether I should get another partner for him OR get a bonded couple to keep him company. Just such a sorry state of affairs. He seems to be recovering and I let him do whatever he wants and spend lot more time with him. He is just too lovely a being to let him be alone. But the other thing I have to consider is that he is a Rex bunny and already about 6 or more years old. Rex rabbits are not expected to live very long.

After losing Ms. Misty I really cannot go through such a painful experience again so I am in two minds about adopting another one to keep Basil company.

Also I feel very bad about the fact that I had to force-feed Misty her Critical care and those incidents were stressful for me and for her because she vigorously refused to eat but my vet said that I must force feed her even if she refuses. I am more of a person who lets my bunnies do what they want rather than force on them things that must be done. So, I am not good at grooming them or cutting their nails and I take them to the clinic to get it done. Something like taking their temperature is totally out of my bounds since they won’t even allow me to pick them up. Really not sure whether I should get another one when I am not good at all these things. After losing Misty I really wish I had been good at handling them, taking their temperature, etc. But I am too clumsy.

[Phil]

I was same with Jasper he hated being handled, I never had to treat him myself, apart from being brushed. I’d keep an eye on Basils poops, he’s probably quite upset, not sure getting new buns best at moment, need to fuss over little Basil x

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