Carbun is gone

[ScooterandAnnette]

We’re sad to report that Carbun went to the Bridge sometime between 5:15 AM and 8:15 AM today.  He was 8 1/2 years old.

As you may recall, he was diagnosed four months ago with congestive heart failure, which is terminal.  He has been on medications to control that.  Not surprisingly, his condition slowly deteriorated, as we had to upp his medication dose for less of a response.  And debated whether his quality of life had gotten bad enough that we should put him down.  We had agreed that he was still enjoying life, eating, his breakfast banana, the raisin and craisin bribes he’d get after his medicines. 

 

Well, yesterday he ate very little.  He had been steadily losing weight, but a few weeks ago had rallied and put on some weight.  But by now, he was down about 15% from his pre-illness weight.  We’ve noticed his appetite decreasing over the last few weeks, but yesterday was the first time he would repeatedly refuse even craisins. 

 

We took him to the vet that was handling him, who recalculated an increased medicine dosage for him and how much more he could tolerate, and prescribed eye drops for him to handle an infected eye, which could have been from an upper tooth problem.  She noted that this wasn’t worth bothering with, since he had much bigger problems.  In a similar vein, she suggested that we may as well give him whatever he wanted to eat to increase his weight.  Essentially, she put him on a junk-food diet for the rest of his life!  Nuts, saltless crackers, Cheerios.  All the stuff that rabbits normally shouldn’t get, but at this point, poor nutrition wasn’t the issue, was it?

 

So Carbun enjoyed some parsley and ate a few pieces of unsalted saltines last night.  I (Scooter here) had a nightmare that he had passed, and worried that it wasn’t just a nightmare.  So I went down at 5 AM and found him still alive, but in the corner of the first floor of his cage.  I moved him to the third floor, where there’s a towel to help keep his underside cleaner (bathroom habits have gone by the wayside since he got sick).  His hopping was a bit more erratic, and I wasn’t sure he was going to survive the day. I rubbed his head to say goodbye, if that was the case; he kept hopping away.

 

Well, he was clearly looking for a place to pass quietly and alone, because about half an hour ago, Annette found him gone in the same corner of the first floor of his cage that I’d seen him.  He was already stiff, so he’d probably been dead at least 2 hours–and had passed not long after I’d gone back to bed.  Keelie, his cagemate, was by his side earlier this morning, grooming him, and when we moved his body back up to her level, she groomed him one last time.  We’ve wrapped him in the tea towel that came with him from his previous owner, and will take him to the pet crematorium later today.

 

Carbun was a fighter through all of this.  There were many times yesterday that we thought he wouldn’t make it, but he would rally back.  As was the case more than once over the last four months.  But it was just his time. 

 

Binky free, Carbun.  You are loved and will be missed.

 

 

 

[FrankieFlash]

I’m so sorry for your loss. Carbun had great parents that helped him through his illness and I’m sure he’ll return the favor watching over you. Give Keelie some pets for us.

Binky free Carbun.

[Sarita]

Oh that makes me so sad. Hugs to you Scooter and Annette – he was so lucky to have caring parents like you and I know he will be missed. Senior pets are so special so it’s sad when they leave us.

[Monkeybun]

I am so sorry He was a wonderful little man, and we will all miss him.

Binky free, Carbun. Watch over Keelie and your slaves from the other side of the Bridge.

[RabbitPam]

Oh, Scooter and Annette, I am so sorry to hear about Carbun. He’s been a very brave little guy for so long, and you both have been very devoted to him. You gave him the best quality of life possible, and he died with his family with him in his home. I’m sad to hear this, even though it was expected.

Hugs to you and to Keelie. ;(
Binky free, Carbun.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so very, very sorry to hear about the loss of sweet little Carbun. I’m sorry I didn’t see this post until now.

I’m sure Carbun felt very lucky to have such wonderful bunny parents. It’s obvious how much he meant to you both. He was well loved by us forum members as well. Please give a hug to Keelie for me.

(((((Binky Free little Carbun)))))))

[MimzMum]

I can’t believe I didn’t see this before. I am so sorry that Carbun has passed over the Bridge. :'(:'(
He was indeed a fighter and a credit to you both in how well you cared for him. I will certainly remember him and the stories you told of him. ((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))

Bless you both and please give some noserubs to Keelie for me also.
Binky free wee Carbun. A huge personality in a tiny bunny body, no doubt you are shining at the Rainbow. <3

[jerseygirl]

Oh little Carbun! You will be missed. *Binky Free little one*

My condolences Scooter and Annette. You were so dedicated in keeping him comfortable. His last years greatly enriched by the home you gave him.

[tanlover14]

Binky Free Little Carbun. <3

Hugs to you both during this hard time.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Oh my-I can’t believe I missed this! I’m so sorry for the delayed sympathies.
I’m so sorry to hear that little Carbun has left us. What a dear sweet guy.

[CinnabunMom]

I’m so so sorry. Binky Free, Carbun

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