Heschi

[Bunsen Munch]

Hey everyone,

I’ve only posted to this site a few times in the past, and haven’t posted in quite some time. The first post I wrote was about my rabbits Bunsen and Harriett- Bunsen (aged 6) we had for two years, and Harriett (approx. aged 5) we got soon after Bunsen passed- she was only with us for a week before she had a blood clot that led her to go into cardiac arrest.

My boyfriend and I took some time to heal and decided we wanted to adopt another rabbit. I figured our bad luck had (hopefully) run out and we decided to adopt a younger rabbit, which was new for us, and we were hoping we could count on him being around for awihle. Heschi was approximately 9 months old when we adopted him from our local shelter, and he was with us for a month before he passed away a few weeks ago. He had either an obstruction or an ulcer that caused his stomach to rupture, causing sepsis, all within an incredibly short amount of time. All three of our rabbits were treated at the Univeristy of Illinois Exotic animal hospital-the best in our area- before they passed and the vet can’t find any connection between the 3 of them. She told us that there was nothing we could have done except what we did- but I still feel somehow guilty. We got them all to the emergency room as soon as they showed any sign of illness- with Heschi, it really was a difference between my feeding him at 8AM and him being fine, and my boyfriend going in to give him some greens at 10AM and he had started to act lethargic and sick.

At this point, I think we are going to take a break from having rabbits. It pains me a lot because I love them, and my life feels less bright without one around, but I don’t think we can handle another heartbreak so soon if it were to happen again. I want to adopt another one, but I know that’s not the right choice right now. I am at a loss at this point- if feels like a bad joke that the universe is playing on us.

Has anyone else had this experience, of rabbits passing so quickly or so frequently?

[FrankieFlash]

I haven’t experienced this but I just wanted to give you internet *hugs*. I can’t imagine going through something so difficult. Its sounds like you are very good rabbit parents though. Take comfort that even if their lives came to an end too short, you gave them happy days before so.
And when you’re ready, you’ll make another rabbit very happy someday. (Also, my family believes in the saying that “bad luck comes in 3s”) So hopefully your bad luck is done. *hugs* again.

[bunnyfriend]

 I am so so sorry . You sound like such a great rabbit owner, I don’t think you should feel guilty at all. What happened would have happened no matter what, it isn’t your fault. All three were lucky to have someone who loved them and took good care of them. When you’re ready for another rabbit, I would adopt again, you guys are great rabbit owners.

 

My first bunny I had only for a couple months before he passed away suddenly from what they think was cancer. I had just gone on vacation and I came back so excited to see him but I could tell he was really sick, we left for the emergency hospital right away. The vet took an X-ray and there was fluid in his abdomen, the only thing I could do was put him down right then or bring him home and try my best. He passed away in my lap shortly after. I keep looking back on everything and blaming myself for it, I feel how you feel, like somehow it was my fault.

 

 

[lashkay]

I’m so sorry for your losses and the distress they caused you. Sending you healing vibes that you will in time be ready to try again with a bunny in good health who will stay around a long time. You are great bunny ‘parents’, don’t feel guilty, you did all you could and more. I’m sorry for the bad luck you had with these two. Don’t give up on yourselves, there is a long life with another loving bun for you when you’re ready, hope your two binkying and romping happily on the other side of the rainbow bridge lead you to him/her.

[RabbitPam]

I am so sorry, and you shouldn’t feel guilty – or unlucky – at all. It was a very heartbreaking series of events and I understand your not wanting to try again, but please believe that it was not your fault. In fact, you sound like you did the right thing for all of them.

What popped into my head was not that you were unlucky, but that there is a pervasive problem hitting rabbits in your area that is among the shelter rabbits that you select. It might be an illness that’s hit a group of them, or a genetic anomaly that’s being passed along. Or even that the school may be prompting local people, like breeders, to drop off sick rabbits to that shelter thinking they will be cared for at the school. Sometimes if a school needs animals to treat, the word could have gotten out and rabbits will be given to the local shelter that is a resource for them. I am just speculating about that, but it does seem that the common thread is the shelters providing rabbits in your area, NOT a common “unlucky” cloud over you two.

You gave them love at the end. Please don’t shut down, just heal, and love animals in your future home.

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