I lost my bun last Tuesday, but his body doesn’t rigor mortis.

[kittyjung]

Hi all, I am aware that GI problem is an emergency, but I also feel my bunny died because the vets were careless. On Monday 1:30 pm. My boy was so happy. He is binky and rolled-over non stop before his usual nap time (1:30 – 5:00 pm). After 5:10, my boyfriend went to check on him because it was time for diner. He found a big clamp of poops (like small dog poop size) next to my bun. He told me right away and I noticed my bun was acting weird. He rotated himself 360 degrees to try to find a comfortable spot. Also, I saw he try to push (poop?) but pee came out. He refused to eat, so I knew something was up. I called his vet and got him in at 7:20 pm. Vet didn’t see him until 8 pm. She did an x-ray and it showed no blockage but stomach was so full. She gave me critical care food and Reglan for him. Didn’t offer any laxative, enema, or sub-q fluid.

The next day, there was still no poop and not eating, so I took him back to a vet (a different vet from yesterday) at 1:20 pm. She refused to do a follow up x-ray and check temp as I requested. My boy was cold to touch and started getting weak. She said nothing to worry about and gave him sub-q fluid and Reglan injection. Told me to come back the next day or two if didn’t get any better. Before I left, she put my bun on the floor and forced him to walk which at this point he was so weak.

After I came home (less than 30 mins after the injections), my bun started involuntary movement, unable to balance himself, and shaken. I called the vet right away and she said my boy is sick and might be cold. If I was worried, I could take him back to the hospital. While I just hung up, my bun was gone. I called the vet back again and she told me to take him back. I did CPR all the way there and the vet said it was too late.

I am in shock. Since his death, his body was still less than an hour and become soft as normal, just like sleeping. It was cold outside, 3 degrees, so I put him on the screen porch. I check him everyday and today is day 3. His body is still soft and not frozen. No sign of any rigor mortis. How is this possible? I am confused. What should I do? I can’t buried him right now since the ground is too hard. 

I am super sad and still cry everyday. 

    

[Muchelle]

I’m sorry for this traumatic loss If stomach was full but nothing was going into his intestines, it makes me think there had to be some kind of mess up that didn’t let food go through, maybe a mechanical blockage that went undetected? You can totally ask for a necropsy to know for sure what happened. If both vets overlooked the problem or straight up misdiagnosed him, there should be grounds for a formal complaints.

As for rigor mortis, it is not a permanent condition of the body, it comes and goes in an amount of time that depends on the state of the tissues, external temperatures and other parameters, so once it’s done (usually within the first hours from death) the body goes back to limpness.

Also, if you want you are completely free to write about him, post pictures or just straight out vent. We’ll be glad to read and try to help you during this hard time.

[Luna]

I’m so sorry about your bun. Reglan is a prokinetic, so in a sense it is like a laxative. The sub-q’s and Reglan are standard protocol, but I can’t believe the vet refused to take his temperature when you asked. Even so, you did everything you possibly could to help him.

Binky free little bun

[Gordo and Janice]

Sorry for you loss. It’s always unbelievably sad and brings forth such painful emotion.

Yes rigor mortis will come and then disappear with all sorts of factors determining how soon, how long, and when it will resolve itself.

And no one will care for and take care of your bunny like yourself. Take some solace in knowing you did your best. Sorry again.

(Binky free little bunny)

[Author]

Messages