i think im a bad owner, should i find him a better home?

[Snakeonastaff]

Hey all,
Please don’t be offended…

I’ve had Sparky, a rescued 3.5 yo male mini rex for 3 years since high school. My parents left the states for about 2 years to reunite with my distant family r because of an emergency. I took sparky to live with me in a small apartment. As of now Sparky is very healthy and happy because he has free reign over the whole apartment since he rarely misses litter boxes(a little compensation for 6-8 hours a day attention). 

The problem is the impending health issues. Vet clinics are very expensive around here and I barely afforded to get him neutered. I’m an undergrad student working 2 jobs, paid on call firefighter-medic and animal surgeon for my school’s research labs both of which sustain basic needs (good thing college is free).  Throughout our companionship Sparky had 2 very close calls. One with an E. cuniculi infection a while back, and the other was gastrointestinal stasis early during this winter break.
 
When he was infected with EC, he anticipated all the classic symptoms…head tilt, loss of balance, eye rolling and uncontrolled rolling. It freaked me out so I talked with our lab’s vet about it. He could’nt see sparky legally but he was kind enough to give me drugs including aspirin -_-. Thanksfully he came out of it very healthy without any permanent repercussions after administering drugs (all liquid based) intermuscularly and water subcutaneously. It felt like a bullet dodged him.

 Recently, his fight with gastrointestinal stasis was even scarier. I returned from a 12 hour shift and saw Sparky hiding in  corner. His food was literraly untouched and did not poop for 18 hours throughtout his ordeal. It was 2 am. I couldnt get in touch with the vet so the internet became my guide to treat sparky. I guess somethin happened when I was out that stressed him out for a prolonged time. I tried bribing him with timothy hay, pellets even his favorite treats but he did not eat them. I realized I had to be cruel and force fed him through a syringe, subq injected water and a belly rub with some gentle leg pulling for gas. All of which he really did not like. I felt really bad and decided to keep him company all night. 5 hours later he pooped for a really long time. That was the first time I was really happy to see someone poops :/. I felt releived because I would’nt forgive myself if he had passed away.

Now looking back I’m really worried about his future. I feel like I’m really neglecting him for not offering him professional healthcare. It was really fun seeing him grow up and we became really close friends.

I dont know what to do now, I want to keep him but i think its better if I find him a better home. What do you think? (sorry about the long read)

[Moonlight_Wolf]

I think you should definitely keep him. You seem like you are giving him a great home. I mean even if the health care was not professional it still worked.
Think about it, if you gave him away he could end up with people who would get bored of him and keep him in a cage his whole life, even if the one you gave him to was your trusted friend you and him/her could have two completely different ideas on how to treat a rabbit. Right now your rabbit is happy and healthy and you love him so keep him. maybe set aside money each month as a emergency fund for medical care. All I can say is…
KEEP HIM
KEEP HIM
KEEP HIM

[Ruffles&Daisy]

I, too, would say to keep him. It sounds as if you really care for him and it would be doubtful that he would have a better life elsewhere. Who knows? Maybe the recent vet bills were a fluke and he will have a healthy adult life. I know when my cat was alive, it seemed like it was one thing after another for a while and then he was fine for a long time. Spend some time trying to find a good vet in the area or get in touch with a local rabbit rescue who might have connections to a good vet who would work with you on a sliding scale. Good luck, but definitely keep him. He’s a lucky bun.

[Snakeonastaff]

Thanx alot for your responses. I gotta admit, setting an emergency fund piggybank sounds like a great idea. I’ve just realized that if I quit smoking I might have enough for sparky.

[Deleted User]

oh yes keep him….what if you found him a new home that wouldn’t even take the time to find out what to do in an emergency. it sounds like you two have a real bond and i think getting him a new home would just break his little heart!!!!

good luck! and i like the piggy bank fund too….it is a new year!!! I quit smoking about 2 years ago—if you really want to do it, i know you can!

[bunnytowne]

You did great.  I never thought of pulling their legs out when in a stasis.  Keep him.  He loves you. You are taking good care of him.  Both of you would be heartbroken.

I have a friend whom I gave 2 rabbits 2.  My dear Laith and  a sweet dutch.  They were supposd to keep them indoors. Come to find  out they were kept outside. It was really crowded and they ate the dutch girl.   It was her husband ate the rabbit not her. She and I are still friends. She was sad that I had to put Laith down.  She kept telling me Laith was dirty and she wanted to give him back.  I didn’t understand her clearly why cause she didnt’ know much english at the time.  So I agreed of course to take him back. She knew I loved him.  She loved him too. She wanted what was best for him so she gave him back knowing I could care for him and keep him indoors. And clean too.

Poor fellow I was so sorry to see him in the shape he came home in. 

HE was stained yellow from head to foot from a dominate male spraying urine on him.   I washed him to no avail. I trimmed all the ends of his fur from the pee stains best I could.  He was so glad to see me too. HE knew I was trying to help him.  She knew I loved that rabbit so much I am so glad she gave him back.

I felt horrible.  IN the end he had to be put down due to health reasons. That was so hard.  I am glad he lived long enuf to see his hair grow out beautifully the color it was supposed to be.   HE looked like a sunflower. He was an adorable little lionhead.  He was happy after I trimmed  the yellow off and started grooming himself.  I could not imagine he would groom himself covered in pee.

So really  keep him. You just never know.    Your home may be the best one he will ever have.

[kralspace]

Now I’m crying bt, that is so sad about Laith and the dutch boy. I would say I can’t believe they ate him, but in this small Czech town people can’t believe I DON’T eat them, I just can’t believe they ate a pet like that.

We should put that last sentence on T-shirts….. Your home may be the best one he will ever have.

That is so true, so true.

kathy

[Beka27]

Your home may be the best one he will ever have.

ABSOLUTELY! when you rehome, you have NO IDEA where he is going, and what kind of care he’d receive there… if a person wants your bunny bad enough, they will tell you what you WANT to hear to get him… and unless you’re planning on stopping by unnannounced once a week, you’ll never know what happens to him beyond that…

KEEP HIM KEEP HIM KEEP HIM!

there is pet insurance you could look into. i rec’d a quote for 12 dollars a month that gets deducted automatically from your account…

another great idea is an emergency fund. we have a savings account and a portion of our checks each week get direct deposited directly into the savings account. so we don’t even see it…

if you have a continuing relationship with a rabbit savvy vet, they might be willing to work out a payment plan if something happens. don’t expect it on your first, second, or third vet visit, but once the vet gets to know you and sees a good record of always paying your bill, and your level of devotion for your bun, they might be able to help you out in that regard…

many vets accept care credit, which is a credit account you can use for healthcare, your own or your pet’s. or open up a regular credit card and *don’t touch it*, put it away strictly for bun emergencies so you know you always have it available…

pets get sick and require vet care. it’s likely that this will happen more as your pet ages. so prepare now (early on) for what might happen someday. i’m not saying you HAVE to come thru if something SERIOUS/EXPENSIVE happens, requiring lifelong, expensive treatments (like cancer) or surgeries ranging in the thousands. sometimes the best you can do for your pet is to humanely allow them to pass on. there’s no shame in that. but smaller things i feel you should fight for… there’s that saying, “You pay for the vet, not the pet.”

[jerseygirl]

Well I voted you keep him but ultimately it’ll be your decision. Just so you know, there has been some counsel here before, for other members to rehome their bunnies but the circumstances were different.

Your situation seems workable and your care for your rabbit outstanding.

There are plans available to help manage unexpected vet bills. And what a great incentive and motivation for giving up smoking! Would your parents be willing to help out in an emergency?

Are you also concerned for the time you spend with him? Maybe you could organise with someone you know and trust to visit time to time. Some rabbits do really well on their own provided their other needs are met. As long as you get some time with him each day, I’d say he’s in a pretty sweet home right now.

[2lops]

Hmm,…
I don’t think a “bad owner” would be on a rabbit forum stressing so much, in fact I think that’s what a *good* owner does (:
I don’t think you’d be able to find better home, as MLF said, your giving him a great home. Excuse the cheesiness, but Sparky doesn’t no what is and isn’t professional health care, all he knows is the care you give him is keeping him healthy and well.

[KatnipCrzy]

Bad bunny owners don’t even know their bunny is not doing well because they are kept outside in a hutch!  It sounds like you really love him- and can you really trust someone else not to give up on him?  Even though you don’t spend 24/7 with him (who can???) you are loving and attentive to him- which is more than the impulse purchase bunnies tossed into a hutch or cage get.

[bunnytowne]

You know my lovely Laith gave me a scare too once. I remembered having read about rubbing his tummy.  HE was sitting hunched in his litterbox and I didn’t see much poo so I got scared rubbed his tummy for a bit.  HE even let me.

A little later I went to see how he was and there was a really big pile of poo there.   You did good yourself there.  You noticed he wasn’t feeling well and did something about it.   I learned something from you too.    Move the hind legs some

[Deleted User]

BT–i never heard your Laith story before! How heartbreaking! You are a stong woman and I’m so glad he got to be with you in the end!

[Moonlight_Wolf]

Hehe I added bunnytowne’s quote to my siggy.

[Scarlet_Rose]

I too would say keep him.  You’re obviously very devoted to him and like everyone said, who knows where he would end up.  Have you considered pet insurance?  Here is a bit more information from a previos discussion in case you are interested:

Health Insurance:

https://binkybunny.com/Default.aspx?tabid=54&forumid=1&tpage=1&view=topic&postid=1018#1060

In lieu of this I have a cradit card that I keep locked up in case I ever need to use it for my two fur babies.

[MarkBun]

I used to have the same questions about my buns – was I a good enough parent? Sometimes my buns don’t get to go outside of their condo for a couple of days in a row and my personal interaction with them is often all but non-existent for a week due to working schedules. But even if I was the worst bunny lover around, I’m still better than the best non-bunny lover.

I think you’re doing just fine.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I ditto everything said by the other members. If you love him and are doing the best you can to keep him healthy and happy, which it sounds like you are doing, keep him.

The worst thing in the world (I see this very often with horse owners) is to give away/sell a beloved pet, change your mind and not be able to locate him when you want him back. I’ve seen the terrible heartbreak and guilty feelings this can cause.

We’re always here on Binky Bunny to help you with any problems you may have with your bunny! I’m sure all the members would love to help you.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Yup you sound like a wonderful home! It’d be truly hard to find someone as in tune with him and willing to do the all night research to bring him through stasis. Lots of great advice in this thread, but I think we all agree KEEP HIM

[Author]

Messages