Need Geriatric Bunny Help

[Cloudjumper]

I need some advice and I’m hoping y’all can help me.  I have two 11-year-old rabbits and one has pretty bad arthritis in his rear legs (among some other more minor geriatric problems).  He doesn’t move as well as he used to and has trouble staying upright/getting back up from lying down.  When I set him back up after he’s fallen, he’s only able to stay that way about 40 – 50% of the time.  This means that he can’t get in and out of the litter box and when I’m not able to be around 24/7 this leads to a mess.  I bathe him regularly but can never get him clean enough anymore because he gets stressed out if I take too long.  The vet has prescribed Metacam but hasn’t been able to do anything more for him.  All in all, he’s still the same bunny he’s always been.  He eats/drinks/pees/poops, his attitude has not notably changed since his disability developed.  I’m concerned about taking him back to the vet because euthanasia has come up before and I don’t want to take that route if he’s still feeling relatively okay or for convenience.  He’s also strongly bonded to his cagemate, they’ve been together since they were 6 months old.  However, it’s hard to see him like this and I’m not sure I’m doing what’s best.  I don’t know any other rabbit owners to ask and don’t have any experience with older pets so I’m hoping you guys can help me with some advice?

[Sarita]

Have you tried cutting down one side of his litter box?

Also maybe consider trying tramadol or buprenorphine (you can give the buprenorphine orally if you don’t feel comfortable doing injections) or perhaps consider giving the metacam twice a day instead of just once a day.

I think you know best it’s quality of life and you surely are concerned. I have had to make the decision about 6 times for my senior rabbits in the past two years and it is difficult because you want to do the right thing. I think you also have to consider how much you can physically and mentally do to keep his quality of life better – after all we are only human and usually we have to work or go to school so we cannot care for our rabbits 24/7 usually and that has to be a consideration as well.

[LongEaredLions]

Does he have a soft floor and lots of beds to comfort him when he falls? That might be a good idea.
Other than that, I am just sending (((((comforting and healing vibes for you and him)))))

[Beka27]

I think vets sometimes recommend euthanasia prematurely, mostly bc they know they aren’t going get significantly better, and the vets know how stressful (emotionally, physically, mentally) on the caretakers. At a certain point, all you can do is keep your bun comfortable and clean best you can.

It sounds like you’re doing your best, so just take things one day at a time. Enjoy his good days. I trust that you will make the right decision for him when the time comes.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Ultimately, it’s ONLY your decision whether you decide to put your bun down or not. It’s up to you to decide his quality of life. So despite what the vet says, I would def talk to the vet about getting him some pain meds. It may not help his movement but will make him more comfortable. And, like LEL suggests, make sure he has lots of comfy padding/bedding. I’ve heard of a thick mat that is good for dogs and bunnies with arthritis called Vet Bed. It’s like a very thick, spongy pad that really protects their joints. As long as he doesn’t chew it, it may do him some good.

[manic_muncher]

Agreed, it is definitely something only you can decide. I agree with Sarita with weighing how it effects you as well.

I also agree with Beka that sometimes vets are quick (in our minds definitely) to bring up euthanasia in some way, even the most compassionate doctors will mention it as easily as possible, perhaps using words like “might be something to think about”. To play Devil’s Advocate I feel I need to say, that many times when pet owners at the point of even muttering the words “quality of life”, a vet bringing that up as something to consider is a good thing. As someone who has worked at a vet hospital and having seen a huge range of personality types of owners from the callous, to the crazy cat lady… sometimes people come in NEED to hear that word and some even WANT to hear it because they are afraid to use it first.

Sometimes we feel guilt about making that decision, and it helps to have an outsider look at only the clinical part of things. I think if you feel adjusting the environment (ie cutting the side of litter box, more padding for the arthritis) and perhaps more pain meds would help him, that you should talk to your vet about getting more. Maybe if you are preemptive in the conversation, “I know we’re just managing pain right now, but he’s still a happy old bun, and until he tells me he’s ready, I’ll do what I can to make it any easier” (or something similar?), that way the vet knows you don’t need to be reminded about your “options”.

I do not envy you right now.

I did want to say one thing though. Whenever you feel it’s time, it would be a good idea to be sure his bonded buddy is able to sit with him afterwards for closure.

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