rabbits “going” everywhere (original post edited on June 7, 2009)

[MD]

Edited on June 7, 2009:

I wanted do clarify this thread, because it is a very unusual case.  It turned out that only one of my two rabbits, Misty, was peeing everywhere, and as I later found out, her behavior was caused by at least one medical issue.  Hers was not a case of a rabbit straying from good litter-training behavior.  I don’t want people to read my post in an effort to find litter training solutions, and then be worried that their rabbit has all the medical problems that Misty had.  I also wanted to mention that both Misty and her sister Daphny were spayed before I adopted them from a local rabbit shelter.

Once I discovered that Misty had problems with her bladder, and she lost the ability to control the muscles, I understood why she was urinating everywhere.  As for the kicking feet, she was probably trying to show me that she was frustrated and/or in pain, but of course, I didn’t understand it at the time.  Misty had sludge in her bladder and it caused her urine to really penetrate her fur and burn her skin.  I didn’t find out about her bladder sludge and skin irritation until she was seen by her more recent vet, “Dr. M.” (Misty’s original vet didn’t properly diagnose her medical conditions.)  Besides the bladder sludge problem, she also tested positive for E. Cuniculi, a type of parasite infection, and had a very high titer for it.  Additionally, she developed neurological problems, which made her unable to control her left hind leg, and caused her to scoot around and sometimes lose her balance.  It is also possible, but not confirmed, that the neurological issue made Misty unable to control her bladder muscles, which would explain her incontinence. 

After Misty passed, I asked Dr. M for a final diagnosis of Misty’s health.  She said that Misty’s bladder sludge, the E. Cuniculi infection, and the neurological problems might not have been related.  She said it was too difficult to tell, and no matter what I did to help Misty, I couldn’t have prevented or cured a neurological condition.  This gave me some peace-of-mind at least, but seeing Misty go and having her gone has been unbearably painful.  Initially, I was in shock and felt extremely guilty, thinking that if I had done more for her, she would have lived a longer life.  She acted pretty much like a normal bunny–good appetite, playful, mobile (even though she limped)–up until I found her hunched by the litter box.  She suffered from a “stroke,” as Dr. M described, and the cause of this stroke is unknown.  Even if Misty had been at optimal weight, Dr. M said this would not have affected her health status after the stroke occurred.  The stroke was just too much for her to come back from.  Misty was about 3 years old when she passed away.  I adopted both bunnies a little over a year and a half ago.

I did my very best to care for Misty and honestly believed that I could nurse her back to health, not knowing the severity of her neurological problem.  That made her sudden death extremely shocking and heartbreaking.  I loved my Misty so much, and I miss her immensely.  I am thankful that her sister, Daphny, is healthy, and at least we can comfort each other.

I was truly blessed to have Misty in my life, and I hope I helped to make her short life a happy one.  Binky free, my sweet little Misty. 
 

**There is now a thread for “Misty” in the “Support Center” forum.**
 

*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************

I’ve had my pair of spayed sister rabbits for almost a year and a half.  Their latest thing is peeing outside of the litterbox for no apparent reason.  I used to use the small rectangle pans and realized that they sometimes missed the edge and didn’t know they were going outside, so I switched back to a Booda dome.  They do the majority in the Booda dome, but for a week now, they are leaving puddles outside the litterbox, more than one time per day.  They were supposedly litter trained by the shelter before I got them.  They also still poop all over the place, and I’ve had them too long for this to be territory marking, and the quantity is large.  This is absolutely driving me crazy.  I am cleaning constantly, my boyfriend is complaining about the smells, and because of all this, I don’t want to have any friends over.  I am at my wit’s end here, I’ve tried various suggested methods in the past for curbing the unwanted behavior, but nothing is working.  While cleaning up puddles, I’ve had annoyed rabbits kick urine in my face–my patience is just about broken.  My boyfriend keeps telling me that the rabbits are stupid and I can’t teach them anything, but I don’t believe that.  I just don’t understand why they are going to the bathroom all over the place now, when they were litter trained.  Suggestions, techniques, advice would be very much appreciated.  Thank you.

[MD]

Just now, I tried to clean up the huge urine mess on the plastic mat of their enclosure.  As I was doing so, Misty walked through the urine and kicked some in my face and arms.  I think she is the primary offender, but I am not positive. I never catch them in the act–I just find the puddles afterwards. This behavior frustrates me so much–they’ve never done this before to this extent–and I cannot tolerate urine-kicking.  I don’t know what else I can do; I can’t handle this constant peeing.

[jerseygirl]

Yes, I would have a pretty low tolerance for that too! So it’s mainly just this week that the urinating is getting out of hand? Have you introduced a new pet to your household, or have you or your boyfriend handled other animals before you’ve come home? Sometimes, a new pet or just the scent can set of these sorts of behaviours.

Review any changes you’ve made recently, even what you’d consider minor ones. Litter, hay, food, water bottle, toys etc…   Are you entering there space too often?  Do they do this when you are around or do you just discover it when you check on them?

Do the buns have a contained area or do they go about thru your home. Where do the leave the territoral droppings?

You may need to pen them up/limit their space until their litter habits improve.  Diligently mop up puddles (as you have been doing!) and sweep up poop and put it in the litter box. 

 

[bunnytowne]

How long have they had the Buddha dome?  Yes those triangle litterboxes they can outgrow those.   Maybe they don’t like these litterboxes?  can you try just using the cats litter pan situation without the dome?

It could be cause you switched litterboxes around too.   Sometimes we just never know what sets them off.   Any new visitors ? 

This situation would be getting on my nerves too. 

[MooBunnay]

Are your bunnies contained to one ex-pen or area like that? I think that is essential to litter re-training. Also, are they in an area with another animal? That can cause them to do territorial marking around their litterbox.

Below is the process that we use to litter train our bunnies, I’m not sure if you are already doing this, but here are the steps in case they help.

1. Confine the bunnies to an ex-pen or other large enclosure with an easily cleanable floor (this means linoleum with a rug over it, best would be a very tightly woven rug)
2. Clean the floor of the cage at least twice a day. If there are poops on the floor put them back in the litterbox, and if there is pee, spray the pee with vinegar and thoroughly clean it up.
3. Keep this routine up until your bunnies no longer view the floor as their litterbox

My husband has litter trained MANY bunnies with this concept. The point is that it teaches the bunnies that the litterbox is where to go to the bathroom and the floor is to stay clean.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

My buns will pee beside the litter box to tell me it’s time to change it. Maybe you could try changing it a bit more frequently especially if it’s smaller then before? They may just be offened

[MD]

The only change I’ve made is putting them back into an exercise pen-enclosed area, like they had before I moved to this apartment.  I had a pen with enclosed metal top and plastic bottom with a small litter box in there, plus the exercise pen, however, they were using the entire pen as a litter box and it was quite disgusting. When I first got the rabbits, I used a Booda dome, and they have had one for most of the time they’ve been with me.  I had those smaller rectangular pans before but they would often miss the edge.  They have been in this new arrangement for 3 weeks now, but the multiple pee puddles per day have only been the past week and a half. I have never let them out of their area because they have never stopped pooping everywhere, and now, peeing everywhere.  I’ve tried cleaning up the floor constantly—they just poop more.  I’ve had them for over a year, and they refuse to stop pooping outside the litter box.  I don’t know what else I can do.

I’m beyond frustrated—the shelter told me they were litter trained, but I don’t see the evidence.  Did my shelter lie to me?  Why on earth would they continue to go to the bathroom everywhere else if they are litter trained?  As to the peeing, I don’t know what is causing it.  If I don’t catch the puddle soon enough after they do it (or it might just be one rabbit peeing, not both), I find them walking in it, running through it, or sitting in it.  I’ve tried changing the litter more frequently, but the puddles continue.

My white rabbit, Misty,  has the most disgusting yellow feet and behind now—and of course, she won’t let me clean her.  That’s a whole different story—I don’t know how to clean the rabbits even if they let me, but Misty is quite stinky now.  I’m thinking that I need to call my vet and see what they recommend, or if they can offer solutions to this pee behavior.  I’m not positive, but I think Misty is the main offender—she’s always closest to a fresh puddle and her fur is more stained. 

My boyfriend is not helping either—he just tells me to stop being frustrated at them because they aren’t smart enough to learn where to go to the bathroom—or do anything, for that matter.  He does not believe rabbits can be trained—he also knows nothing about rabbits, and thinks I’m nuts for trying to train them or using my “disappointed” voice when I’m cleaning up their puddles.  I think I am just lacking information or I’m a bad trainer.  I don’t think they are dumb bunnies (sorry, pun), and I’d really like them to behave and prove him wrong—and make my life easier too.
 

[Deleted User]

MD, first of all I’m sending to you patience vibes and ignore-your-boyfriend’s-opinion-on rabbits vibes. You feel frustrated because by now you probably think that you might not get this under control, but you will. It is quite possible that your buns had excellent litter habiits at the shelter. In shelters rabbits tend to be housed in small enclosures which makes using the litter box an obvious choice for most rabbits. Follow Moobunnay’s guidelines, get your ‘stinky’ rabbit cleaned up with the help of an assistant (NOT your boyfriend), you could put her into an empy bathroom sink with the drain closed and give her a favourite treat while you let some warm water (not too warm, set temp. before putting bunny in) run into the sink to give her feet a soaking. She may try to bounce out of the sink gently scruff her down for a short period of time, if she doesn’t get all clean before freaking out, repeat tomorrow. Keep her in a warm room after, maybe in a carrier with towel underneath her. About the littering everywhere I remember my bunny Mops who treated his entire enclosure (also with plastic bottom) like one giant toilet. Give your rabbits one or even two really large litter boxes with high edges so no pee will miss the box. Let’s say you put them in a small enclosure with two corners having litter boxes in them, and the other two corners having either food bowl or water bowl in them. Make the litter boxes enticing by putting fresh hay in with the litter material to munch on while they sit in there. That’s what helped Mops, his litter box became a place of relaxation, and once munching he’d want to poop anyways. And, as KK suggested, keep the litter boxes fresh. — What kind of litter material are you using? Don’t give up! Tell your bf not to say anything about rabbits unless it is helpful!

[jerseygirl]

I agree with Petzy – this can be improved! I would take Misty in to be looked at if you do suspect her as one of the reasons they can pee outside the box is illness. Possibly a urinary infection. As for cleaning her, yes a foot and bottom wash or a dry bath using a brush and pure cornstarch. These would both improve the smell but not the yellow stains. These unfortunately just have to fade and shed out on their own.

You may have to drastically cut back their space and re-train I think. Cages with litter boxes, with occasional pen time for exercise. Then the space can be increased as the habits improve. BUt I would urge you look into the medical side of things first. For a clean animal, to sit in it’s own pee is unusual and warrents investigation.

[Beka27]

I’m sorry you’re dealing with this, that is frustrating. I ditto everyone’s advice. The first step is a trip to the vet to make sure there is no medical issue making training difficult for them. As far as the rescue, they may have been litter trained before. Or you might have misunderstood what they considered “trained”. In my mind, trained means all of the pee, and most of the poop.

Do you have two litterboxes or do they share one? I have two medium size cat boxes that my two bunnies both use. I tried having just one box for the two, but that led to more poops outside the box. The second litterbox is necessary with my pair.

Can you add more litterboxes, one in each corner? It sounds like overkill, but the more chances you give them to “get it right”, the better they will be.

What type of litter are you using, is it the litter you’ve always used, would you be open to trying a new kind?

[MD]

This is my update to the bunny situation.  As it turns out, the pee puddles were only made by Misty.  I also noticed unusual behavior–she’d scoot around funny, sort of like a dog wiping it’s behind, instead of normal hopping.  She was also curling up her left toes and getting her foot stuck sometimes when leaving the litter box.  Needless to say, I took her to the vet as soon as I could.  Her original vet thought that perhaps it was a urinary tract infection, and prescribed an antibiotic just to make sure.  When I told him about her odd hopping, and I was concerned about her left leg or foot in particular, he didn’t seem to think there was an issue.  Also, when he examined her, he didn’t feel anything that he thought was unusual.

Two weeks later, after Misty has finished all of her antibiotic, she is still having the same symptoms, and one day, I got a full view of her bottom.  It was completely yellow and soaked, and I felt so bad that I didn’t notice it sooner.  She has a tendency to sit in the litter box, and doesn’t often sit in a way that I can see her underside.  I felt horrible that I didn’t notice it sooner.  My normal vet (let’s call him Dr. S)  was unable to take her, and referred me to another animal hospital with a bunny specialist.  The new vet (Dr. M) said that the urine was absorbing into her fur and undercoat, and it was actually burning her sensitive skin.  I had no idea this could happen, and I still feel horrible that I didn’t bring her back in to see a vet sooner.  I told her about all of Misty’s behaviors in detail.  As it turns out, this vet believed there was an underlying issue, and not just a UTI.  She requested that Misty have X-rays taken, to make sure there were no fractures or a twisted spine, and she also wanted to do some blood work.  She did a full exam also, and noticed that her bladder felt a little odd.

The X-ray showed that Misty had “sludge” in her bladder, something I had never heard of before.  Dr. M said sludge occurred when deposits, especially calcium, accumulate in the bladder.  The sludge has a consistency of wet sand.  When she saw this, she used a catheter, and flushed out Misty’s bladder. Dr. M also mentioned that the sludge was making Misty’s urine thicker, and that is partly was it was absorbing so deeply into her fur.  Luckily, Misty had no other issues, but I still felt guilty for not bringing her sooner, and also a bit frustrated and angry at her regular vet, Dr. S,  who was unable to detect this issue.  If he had, perhaps Misty wouldn’t have gotten to such a bad state.  He didn’t put a towel on the floor like Dr. M did, to see how awkward her hopping had become.  He dismissed that there was any pain or injury to her foot or leg simply because she could put weight on it.  He and his wife, from my original vet, were both rabbit specialists, but now that this situation has occured, I seriously doubt I will bring her back there.  Her new vet seems to be much more thorough and more sensitive to detecting rabbit symptoms. It pains me to think of what would have happened if her issues were not noticed.

Anyway, Misty was put back on antibiotics by Dr. M, who also prescribed a liquid oral painkiller, bunny oatmeal shampoo, and a spray to help dull the pain on her skin.  She seemed to be acting normally after a week, hopping around normally and minimal pee puddles.  Then in the following week, she seemed to slowly regress back to her original symptoms.  I brought her back to Dr. M yesterday, and put her down on the floor to see how her hopping was, and also fully examined her.  The main new issue is that even though Misty is eating, she has not been eating enough, and she lost several ounces, which is a lot for such a small animal. She gave me Critical Care and an oral syringe, and recommended that I keep cleaning Misty either every day or every other day, depending on how dirty she gets.  Misty of course, hates the cleaning and the water, but I think maybe she knows I’m just trying to help her get better.  Getting her to drink more water would also improve her condition, but how do you get a bunny to drink more or eat more for that matter?  I’d hate to resort to giving her water through an oral syringe, but I’ll do it if it helps her to get better.  Dr. M said Misty may have some permanent damage with her left foot, like she can’t feel part of it, and thinks it might be something neurological.

This whole ordeal has brought up some of my worst fears–I was so afraid that something would happen to my little bunnies. I just feel so sad and helpless, that even with my efforts, I can’t instantly cure her and get her back to normal.  My hope is that if anyone else notices symptoms like Misty’s, that they will bring their bunnies to a vet as soon as possible.   I also hoped to make people aware of the possibility of bladder sludge, which is something I had never known about, and even the cause of the sludge is unknown.  I’m hoping for the best, and doing all I can to help her.  I just hope it is enough.

[Sarita]

I have several rabbits who have bladder sludge issues and it certainly sounds like you are on the right track with the current vet.

It sounds like the vet has her on metacam (the oral pain killer). You might also ask the vet about showing you how to do sub-q fluids at home – this will help “flush” the bladder as well but obviously if you can get her to drink more water that would be ideal. Unfortunately there is no permanent cure for bladder sludge though – it could easily reoccur.

Also ask the vet to show you how to express the bladder. You need to hold your Misty upright so the sludge can sink towards the uretha to flow out of the bladder – the way rabbits are made since they are on all 4 paws it makes it more difficult for the sludge to be released so holding them upright and expressing the bladder will help release it.

I know the frustrations of bladder sludge well.

[jerseygirl]

MD, thank you for reporting back about Misty. I read the whole thread through and it very well could help someone else experiencing the same difficulties. As Sarita said, bladder sludge is frustrating and not a lot is known about it’s true cause. From what Sarita has said in the past, there are not many studies done on it and vets are still learning about it.
You mention feeling guilt but you did get her to your original vet, it was just unfortunate they were able to diagnose the deeper problem. The hind leg weakness and the new vet mentioning ‘neurological’ has me thinking of E.Cuniculi. It’s a parasite that can affect renal and nervous tissue and cause hind leg weakness or paralysis. Has your vet mentioned E.C or tested for it?

[MD]

So, Misty had still not shown improvement over the last few days, and it seemed that instead she was getting worse.  She seems to have the most pain and/or on her left hind foot, and now she just scoots around with back legs kicking, as though she’s trying to use them but they won’t behave. She’s been laying on her left side lately, and when I clean her, that area is also urine-soaked. I’ve blocked off an area of the living room and bought a pet stain carpet cleaner, plus I have lot of baking soda and good old dishsoap.  A few days ago, she was able to hope with a limp, and did so when I brought her back to the vet last week.  Now she just seems to scoot around, and if she’s on the plastic, she ends up going in circles, pivoting on her left hip. 

I brought her to the vet last night, and even though the rabbit specialist won’t be in until Monday, they have another vet (Dr. L) who can see rabbits.  She did mention a possible E. Cuniculi infection and while I spoke with her on the phone, she found a nearby lab that could do the blood test for it.  I brought Misty in immediately, and found out she’s lost 4 more ounces.    The labs were taken, and she was once again fully examined.  A lab assistant also showed me how I could get Misty to eat the Critical Care out of the syringe.  I didn’t know that I could hold her head on the sides without hurting her, so this technique helped a lot.  They gave me a syringe that holds 35 CCs, and said I needed to feed her 50 CCs of Critical Care per day.  She also has 2 new medications, Baytril, for the pain, and Panacur, which is sort of a de-worming  product.  I also have Epi Soothe shampoo, and Gentocin, which is a topical spray pain killer (although, the Gentocin stings a little on application–it has alcohol in it). 

I’m doing everything I can to get her to eat and drink more, plus give her reglular cleanings, Critical Care, and her medicines.  It just kills me to see her in this state.  She used to be so energetic and adventurous.  She learned how to climb out of her carrier (when I left the top open), and she was the first to explore new areas, whereas her sister was more reluctant to do so.  Daphny hops around like a normal, happy bunny, and poor Misty just scoots around.  It’s just heartbreaking. 

I’m worried about the medical expenses too.  I’m just a college student and I have my own health issues.  I’m unable to work right now, and had to drop out of my classes when I started having recurring back spasms.  I was in a pretty bad state when I first noticed the urine all over the cage, and I just feel horrible that I didn’t take her in sooner. I don’t have a lot of money to begin with, and I can’t work, but I want her to get the best possible care.  I feel like I’m in such a bind.  I go to school out of state and my parents have been trying to help me out, but they have a lot of expenses of their own.  My dad has Parkinson’s, and my mom is basically supporting the family right now.  I’ve applied for pet insurance, but I wish someone had told me about it when I first adopted them.  If I had it, I might be able to give her better care–maybe have more tests done to find out what’s wrong with my bunny.

I’m so afraid I’m going to lose Misty.  She’s such a sweet bunny, and she doesn’t deserve to go through all this–plus, she has a bonded sister rabbit who is used to her company.  Dr. L didn’t seem as optimistic as I had hoped–maybe she was just trying to be realistic, but I’ve got to do everything I can to help Misty.  I can’t give up, and I hope Misty doesn’t give up either.  I hope that maybe she knows I’m trying to help her, even though she hates to be fed by oral syringe, given baths, and sprayed with a topical pain killer.  I know that our furry friends can’t live forever, and certainly not as long as humans, but she’s still so young, has become such a huge part of my life.  It would just kill me to see her go now.

I don’t know how unorthodox it is to pray for a bunny, but that’s all I can do–and hope these medicines and Critical Care will get her back to being a healthy bunny again.  Please keep us in your thoughts.

 

 

[MD]

These are 2 of my favorite pictures of Daphny & Misty

(Daphny is gray, Misty is white & black)

[bunnyluvr]

They are both very beautiful. I am so sorry that you and Misty are going thru this. I wish I had some advice for you, I know how awful you must feel. You are both in my thoughts and prayers. (((((((((((((Misty!!))))))))))))

[jerseygirl]

Many, many requests for prayers for our bunnies have been asked here. You, Misty and Daphny certainly have mine. Just take it one day at a time. Her lab results haven’t come back yet. The pet insurance should help ease the pressure. I know her quality of life is not ideal at the moment but she has her sister as you said and if she’s moving about, this is good. Plus she has you caring for her, a safe home and vet care.

Honestly, these things come out of the blue for many of us with rabbits. You couldn’t have known at the time what was affecting Misty. Please try let go of some of the guilt and focus on what you are doing for her now. She will know. I read many stories at this site that the bond with you and your rabbit becomes closer when you nurse them through illness. Like the rabbit knows what you do for them at their most weakest.

{{{Healing vibes for you MD, MISTY & DAPHNY}}}

[bunnytowne]

Yes prayers are out for your baby Misty.    It is hard seeing a beloved pet go through this.  I really really want for her to get well too.  Give her kisses and best wishes from us.  I include everyone here

[RabbitPam]

Jersey is so right. You have continually done your best at the time and you are doing so now. I’m sorry I didn’t read your post sooner.

For about 8 months my Spockie lost use of his back paws and was scooting. I think I understand the heartache that goes with watching a bunny you love who was so full of fun in this impaired state. I was feeding meds by syringe, and giving butt baths constantly. I bought some carpet pieces from Palace Pet Beds that absorbed pee when he couldn’t climb into his litter box and changed them out daily since they were machine washable.

Misty knows how much you love her and are trying to make her feel better. Spockie clearly learned to find the meds and baths soothing and was more accepting of my ministrations. He would give me little kisses when I goofed up a bit. Very sweet and forgiving.

Lots of prayers and healing vibes for you, Misty and Daphny to pull through this difficult time. Hang in there.

[MD]

Misty seems to be doing a little better. She’s still scooting a lot, but has finally gained some weight (so has Daphny, but I’m starting a new post about that). The vet had told me that Misty might need to take her meds for a few months before much improvement is seen. Misty still has trouble with her back left foot and hip, and sometimes she loses her balance and ends up rolling onto her back. The carpet is soft, so I don’t think she’s getting hurt, but it’s still a bit startling to see. I’m going to try to get her to the vet on Monday to see what the vet thinks.

Thank you all for your information and support. I really appreciate it. It’s definitely been difficult, but it’s been a great help to talk to other bunny people. I’ve had my rabbits for a year and a half and I’m always learning something new about them it seems. They’re so much more complex than I had thought when I first got them, and not understanding some of their behaviors used to drive me crazy!–but I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I guess this is the bunny love curse, hehe.

[jerseygirl]

Oh this is very positive! Please keep us posted. (((Continued healing for Misty)))

[Sarita]

Continued vibes for you and Misty. I’m glad you are so positive – that really helps. I often feel helpless as well when my rabbits are ill, so I can empathize with you on this. I think you are doing a fabulous job with you beautiful pair.

[MD]

 

I’m sorry to say, but Misty passed away today, June 2, around 8:30pm.  She was perfectly fine last night and had been acting pretty normally.  She seemed to have adapted to her situation and could still move very quickly dispite having lost the use of her back left foot and leg.  I had planned to take her to the vet today anyway, just for a checkup, but when I came to put her in the carrier, she was huddled up in her usual spot, but she wedged her head between the litterbox and the edge of the exercise pen.  I tried to get her to eat a baby carrot, since she loves those, and she could barely chew.

When I got Misty to the animal hospital, her vet said it seemed like Misty had a bunny “stroke.”  She was put on oxygen and an IV, and eventually, they let me in the back to see her.  I would have done whatever it took to get that sweet bunny back to health, and told them to do whatever they needed to stabilize her.  Ultimately though, it seems that her neurological condition had progressed and there was nothing anyone could do to help her.  Dr. M brought Misty back to the room because she was starting to slip away.  At least I got to be with her and stroke her little head as she slipped away.

I had always thought that I’d have both bunnies for many years, I just can’t imagine my life without my sweet little Misty.  I’ve only had them both for a year and a half–it just wasn’t enough time. I had to bring an empty bunny carrier home, when it should have had Misty inside, just like all the other times.  Now I will only come home to one rabbit, and not my beautiful pair of bunny sisters.   I can’t say “hi bunnies!” anymore when I walk in the door.  It feels like my heart has been ripped out and torn into a million pieces.  I was doing the best I could to nurse her back to health, and in that process, I really bonded with her.  I really didn’t mind giving her the baths and the medicines.  She didn’t like them, so I had to hold her while I fed them to her, and I loved being able to cuddle her and hopefully make her feel better.  I hoped and prayed did the best I could, but it still wasn’t enough.

I’m also concerned about how on earth Daphny supposed to understand that Misty is gone?  She won’t be able to groom Misty anymore or be groomed by her–just thinking about that breaks my heart even more.  I’ll never be able to pet her again either.  I loved that bunny so much, and I was not ready for her to go, especially since I thought she was getting better.  I just keep thinking “why?’  Why did this have to happen to such a good bunny?  I’ve only had one close person pass away, and that pain I felt then is the same pain I feel now.  Misty was part of my family, and she and Daphny were the only pets that have been just mine.  I don’t know how I will ever move on.

It just feels like a cruel mistake that she has now been taken from me, right as we had been getting so close.  I’m still in shock that she’s gone, because everything happened so suddenly.  She was fine last night, and I only wish I had stayed to pet her for a little while longer before I put her back in the exercise pen for the night.  I wish this were a horrible dream that I could wake up from.  Misty meant so much to me and I loved her very much—I don’t know why she had to go.
 

[MD]

Daphny & Misty, side by side

[jerseygirl]

MD, I am so, so sorry to hear this. Of course it will feel painful right now, these creatures our like our children in some ways. So dependant on us but with their own little strong personalities. You had such a rough trot hear with Misty but as you say, nursing her was bonding between you two. No one can take that away. Also, she had rallied some and you got to see some of her former self. Did they ever confim the E.C. infection?

Even though you and Daphny have to learn how to live without Misty, know she is noow free of the illness and can move about and binky to her hearts delight. Rabbit can carries bacteria or parasite all their lives and never show symptoms – yet some do lapse into illness due to this. They are so very fragile and we cannot prevent everything – just give them our love and best care.

When a bun passes at home, you can let the bonded bunny be with the passed bunny to say good bye. Since you couldn’t do this, spend extra time with Daphny, she will learn of Mistys passing soon enough and she may grieve.

*Binky Free Misty* ((((Hugs to you and extra head rubs for Daphny))))

[jerseygirl]

There is now a thread for MISTY in the SUPPORT section.

[RabbitPam]

On behalf of MD I’d like to thank everyone for all of your input and support during this difficult time for she and Misty.

Because Misty has passed away, MD has asked that this post be read-only now. It contains helpful information for others.

Please offer your condolences to MD via the link below to her post in the Support Forum.

Thank you. RabbitPam

https://www.binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/a…fault.aspx

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