Necropsy on the boys…

[Jenna, Chubs & Comet]

Well I don’t know what to think or do with the information we got back on the boys. I’m crushed by it and yet it also explains what seemed so sudden. I don’t know what to do other than post it here and see what you guys have to say.

Comet had the bacterial infection in his sinuses, which we knew about and had been trying to treat. He had pnemonia, which we knew about and had been trying to treat. He also had a kidney infection which we didn’t know about…and an enlarged heart and liver. They think that this may have been causes by the E Cuniculi that he was positive for, even though he wasn’t actively showing symptoms of that…

Chubs had a hemorage in the neck area which they are unsure about the cause…being either trauma from the blood draw or trauma from the attempts they made to resusitate him. He ALSO tested positive for pnemonia and had an enlarged heart, liver, and kidneys. They also attribute this to E Cuniculi, which he too was positive for but also not showing active symptoms from. There was some inflamation in Chub’s intestines also, which may account for his diahrea the day before he died but they are unsure of the cause.

Now…Comet being so sick breaks my heart but at least I knew he was sick and had been trying to treat him. Chubs NEVER acted sick! I never heard any rattly breathing or saw sneezing or discharge or any of the things that I recognized in Comet. He never stopped eating/drinking/pooping or acting like himself. Even that morning…I just feel like I failed him. How could he have been so sick and I not know?? Could he have been that good at hiding symptoms??

None of this brings them back but I just ache knowing all of this. It makes me scared to ever have a bunny again.

[Monkeybun]

Don’t beat yourself up, bunnies can be extremely adept at hiding stuff like that

Don’t be scared of every having a bunny again. You didn’t let your boys down, I’m sure none of us would have known either if we were in your shoes.

*hugs* You loved your boys so much, and they knew it. Don’t ever think you failed them

[Sarita]

Hugs to you. I agree with Monkeybun do not beat yourself up over this and don’t make this a reason to not share your home with another lucky rabbit.

Rabbits really can hide illnesses and most of the time we just cannot know until it is too late. And even with treatment, there is no guarantee – those little bodies just shut down so quickly, it’s sad.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so sorry that the news was very upsetting for you. I’ve never had a necropsy done but I know I would be terribly upset as well, no matter what the results. You didn’t fail your boys. You were a wonderful Mom. You can’t treat a bunny if they are not acting sick. Like the others said, rabbits are notorious for hiding their illnesses and there was absolutely no way for you to know there was anything wrong.

You should absolutely get another bunny when your heart is ready. That would be a great tribute to Comet and Chub’s memory: to offer your home to a rabbit in need. You have a lot of love to give. **Hugs**

[BinkyBunny]

I am just getting fully caught up on this. I apologize for not getting now to the RB sooner. I am so very sorry for your loss. This is just too much. How heartbreaking! You were and will be the an amazing bunny mom. I know pneumonia can work fast and sometimes doesn’t have apparent symptoms until it’s too late. I haven’t had to worry about e.cuniculi in a long while, but I need to read up because though I was aware it could shed through the kidneys and cause some issues there, I didn’t know that an enlarged heart and liver were also symptoms. I always attributed that with cancer or heart disease, not with infection or ecuniculi. So the information you have will be helpful for others, and so thank you for sharing even though I know it is so heart breaking to do so.

I know it’s almost impossible for you not to blame yourself or think there was someway you could have prevented it.  Every single time I have lost a bunny, I felt the same way. I think it’s just part of the nature of loss — it’s so painful, that if there was something that we could have done, maybe it could have been stopped. But that’s one thing about life, even if you do everything right, things just go wrong and it’s not your fault.

So don’t go into any mind-loopings thoughts about what could have been, but focus back on the things that were for sure – they felt loved, they had the best care any bunny could ask for, they lived a wonderful life enjoying each other, and you. Give yourself peace with that. I know you have to still go through the mourning part, but don’t add blame to it.

And then one day soon, you will be able to open up your heart to another very lucky bunny who will be so fortunate to be loved by you.

Hugs! BinkyFree Comet and Chubs.

[jerseygirl]

Absolutely as BB has written.
If Chubs had showed the slightest sign like Comet, you would have had him to the vet in a heartbeat! I read a little on bacterial pneumonia after reading your post. I did read some cases present with no clinical symptoms. You can alway ask your vet further questions if you need. To help understand what happened if that helps you.

Jenna, I hope you’re being kinder to yourself and recognizing you did everything you could for your boys.

I still can’t imagine the heartache you must be feeling. Please know we’re here for you to talk with.
Sending lots if virtual (((hugs)))

[Cristina]

I read this and I wanted to just reach through my computer screen and wrap you in a hug. My heart goes out to you. I lost my first bun Beatrix about a month ago. It was devestating to the entire family. I took her to the vet for a check up and had them do an ultra sound for me. They were absolutely floored. They had pronounced her in amazing health but the ultra sound told another story. He lungs were full, and I mean FULL of fluid and blood. The vet was absolutely flabbergasted by it. She showed NO signs of it at all or any pain whatsoever. I don’t think they fully knew what it was. They ran tests on the fluid they extracted and said it was pasturella. She was put on antibiotics. A week later she went for a check up and the fluid was going down. 3 days later she was happy as clam, layed down beside me to take a nap and she never woke up. It really torn me up. Like you, I kept thinking what did I do wrong??? I spent my days researching the internet like mad. Blaming myself for not taking better care. But the truth is, I did my best. She was sooo happy and so very loved. Until her very last breath, and that’s what is most important! I did all in my power, and all that I KNEW how to do.

I think it’s human nature to look back and see millions of ways we’d have done things differently. But as BB said, things happen in life. Nothing in this world is perfect, not even man made things. You can do all you are supposed to, but it doesn’t always ensure a happily ever after. What you need to focus on are your buns. Remember the good times, remember how much you loved them and how much they loved you. Smile about it, laugh at their crazy antics. And be glad that you had them and enjoyed their bunny lives for the time that they were on this earth. That is what truly matters! You took amazing care of them and they could not have asked for a better Mom!

In time, the pain will lessen. I felt like…I could never go through this again. And I also felt like I wasn’t fit to raise another bun. I was very wrong and in time I came around. And although my Toby is no Beatrix, I love him dearly and am so glad I changed my mind. Hugs to you and your family for you loss. Take time to mourn, but remember the good as well. And take comfort in the time you were able to have with them!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Don’t beat yourself up. If anything this necropsy answers some questions that you might have, and can keep you from thinking it was anything you did or could have done. So find peace, and grieve and take some time to yourself. Take comfort in the fact that you did everything you could and that they had a happy home with you.

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