My bunny has gone to sleep im devastated

[Sarah]

My flopsey was nearly 12 years old I have had him stince he was 3 months old, in his old age he had gone fully blind but was still happy eating all his fave treats etc, we had bonded him with a female when he was about 6 years old. This past week he had started falling over and i noticed one of his legs was limp, i took him to the vet today to be checked all was fine until the vet started cleaning his bum (his always needed his bum cleaned as he was very lazy) all of a sudden he started opening his mouth likee gasping for air then started fitting, was horrendous, then he just laid now calmly and slowly stopped breathing, my hurt is broken and i dont know how to deal with it, i feeel like if i hadnt taken him to the vet he would still be here, i cant stop crying!

[BinkyBunny]

I am so very sorry.  I understand how devastating that was to watch. I had a bunny go that way as well.  I know this next part may not provide relief, but it may offer a little comfort-  “The fit” most likely was a post-death body reflex reaction and so your bunny wouldn’t be suffering during that.   It sounds like something was wrong with him internally – Being an elderly bunny, could have been his heart, or maybe he had stroke or some other thing that caused his weakness, and so even if you had not brought him to the vet, this may have had happened at home, and I know you probably would have blamed yourself then for not bringing him to the vet. So there is no really good way around feeling of self-blame.   You did do the right thing.  Sometimes things like this happen and there is no blame – it’s just painful and our minds want to “solve” it — self-blame is way to figure out a way that it could have been “solved/fixed”.    

You have been the most wonderful caring human a bunny could ever ask for.  What a great life he had with you.  He was obviously loved and he had to have known and felt that.  It’s hard not to get stuck in the last moments.  It’s painful.  It’s normal to go through this.  You will be in pain and mourn for awhile.  During this time, be sure to try and get sleep, rest, be good to yourself.   And when those “last” moments stab at you and you blame yourself, remember all the times he was happy and loved.  Those are what matter.

Mourning is hard to go through.  Hugs to you. 

Binky Free Flopsy

   (I say Binky Free here when a bunny has passed — just means they are no longer in pain and free from whatever ailed them).

[Sarah]

Thank you for your reply, i really appreciate your words.
The vet did say after it was most likely his heart connecting his limp leg aswell. Just watching him gasping for air before the fit was horrendous, he was my baby. Xx

[Sofia]

Oh god, I cant imagine what you had to go through. 12 years is a big achievement though, and I’m sure he had an absolutely amazing life with you. He’s in a beautiful meadow now, binkying around, waiting for his beloved owner. I’ll be thinking of you <3
Binky free sweet Flopsy

[Sarah]

Thank you.
I feel empty my heart hurts so much.
I also wasn’t able to bring him home as I am having him cremated, how will my other bunny deal with this? They were so close. I think she kind of knew something was up as every time he fell over she was there like a shot beside him. She looks so sad and confused at the moment and its only been a few hours.x

[Gordo and Janice]

So sorry. BB said everything perfectly. I’ve seen the gasping before. He wasn’t in pain. That gasping is a deep primitive brain thing – a reflex, like BB said, as well as the “fit”. Anyhow don’t be hard on yourself. The tendency would be to second guess and blame yourself regardless of which direction you chose. Just as BB stated. And 12 years is quite the accomplishment. Good long life. Both of you so fortunate. Our bunny was blind in the end as well but perfectly happy still. I know it hurts. I feel your pain. It wasn’t all that long ago our little girl left us.

My heart goes out to you. And my thoughts are with you and the little girl bun.

Binky free {{{Flopsey}}}

[Phil]

So sad but what an old bunny, you should be so proud of how well you must have looked after him, you have been very good and loving for him to live such a long time, you must have been very close. Very difficult to deal with, its a long time to have a bunny, so lucky to have you to take care of him, hope your other bunny lives as long, amazing xx

[Sarah]

Thank you everyone, its so comforting to have this support & kind words, he was my baby, he was a house rabbit and even had his own bedroom very spoilt little prince he was, i feel empty. My female rabbit was searching the whole house for him in the middle of the night was devestating xx

[Sofia]

Do take care of your other bun, she’s going to be very upset since they were very close. Shower her with cuddles and treats, it will help both you and her.

[DarwinForever]

I am so sorry for your loss and send you love and my best wishes as you and your other bunny heal.

[Jess]

That is so amazing that you got to spend 12 long years with your bunny! I hope I get that many years with my baby!

[Daisy Rey]

I’m sorry for your loss; sounds like he had a wonderful life.

[Author]

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