Story time

[Ginger&Seal]

Hi everyone I wanted to share a story and maybe seek advice. In October of last year my male bunny got really sick on Sunday morning and had to rush to an emergency vet that is an hour away from me, the vet suggested he stay here and i left him with his sister as well so both of my bunnies were gone till Monday at 7 AM. I got a call Monday around 4 AM saying that he hasn’t gotten better but theyre still monitoring him. I pick him up and take him to my primary vet, more stuff happened in between but i vividly remember the vet explaining to me that rabbits are frágil animals and that he might pass away, that put me into the worst depression of my life. They dont figure out what’s wrong with him till i believe Wednesday. They explain to me that he has a lung infection and during that time i was also worried about his sister who has been in a cage with him probably scared and not being able to run around like usual. The antibiotics clear up his infection and he was better. During that time of me playing nurse waking up at 3 am to give him his medicine and just constantly checking on him making sure hes eating and popping i just completely ignored everything about my own life and just focused on him. This again put me in the worst state of my life i wasn’t taking care of my body, only eating once a day, and avoiding school. I went to therapy for this and have gotten great advice and have been taking care of myself ever since i stared but i cant seem to stop worrying about him constantly in my head even though i know the signs of GI stasis i just feel like i have to be on top of him constantly, because of that i feel myself kinda slipping back into that bad habit of only worrying about him even tho i see him eating hay.
I guess what im searching for is does this feeling of constant worrying with a bunny every go away or get better with time.

Thanks for reading<3

[DanaNM]

There have been a few members sharing stories of this nature, so you are not alone in this! Rabbits are such “fragile” creatures, so on some level we have to worry about them in order to keep them healthy.

But at the same time, they are also incredibly resilient creatures, and are capable of amazing recoveries.

Of course they can’t talk to us, so we have to interpret their behavior and body language. One thing that helps me when I worry about my buns is to have a “sanity check” activity that I can do to make sure they are feeling good. Usually that means offering some fresh hay and a treat. If they eat the hay and the treat I know they are feeling fine.

I also feel much better with having a good rabbit first aid kit. Having simethicone (for gas), critical care, syringes, fluids, and a thermometer are excellent. Sometimes I will give a bun some critical care or fluids on suspicion of a brewing GI slow down, even if they are still eating and pooping for the most part.

As you said, it’s also important to take care of yourself, so I’m glad you are getting some help for yourself as well. During an acute episode of a rabbit’s illness it can consume your whole life. I know my vets don’t tend to do overnight meds or feedings, because the rabbit needs to sleep too. I usually will do a late-night feeding (before I go to bed), then another right when I wake up in the morning.

I don’t really have too much advice, just wanted to say that many of us here have gone through this!

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Awww, yes it’s nerve-wracking when your bunny is ill. And as Dana said: you’re definitely not the only one who can’t relax if your rabbit is ill or has eaten something wrong.

I’ve often been up until dawn with my bridge bunny Breintje, who was a bunny with a finicky stomach. I knew that his gas problem would resolve itself if I gave him his meds and fed him hay, but I just couldn’t rest until he’d pooped and eaten again.

My boy Owen is a clumsy teenager who is a bit too enthusiastic when exploring. He ate 1,5 cm of a tie-wrap a while ago, in the middle of the night…

I know that bunnies can eat the strangest things and still be okay, because they poop it out if you let them eat hay for a day. As long as they’re eating and pooping, they’re probably fine. A friend had a real destructobunny: he had a bandaged foot and ate his bandaging several times. He chewed it up finely and just pooped it out again.

Still, it’s hard to take your hands off and say: nature has to take its course now, and I need to get some sleep too. My boyfriend often sends me to bed when something like this is going on. He says that there’s little that you can do anyway, and you can’t help your bunny if you’re dead on your feet yourself. But, that’s a lot easier said than done. I hope that the experiences of the people here can help you a little. You’re not alone in being very concerned about your rabbit’s health 🫂

 

[BunnyLass568]

I remember when Thumper got the snuffles, I was really worried about him. If it wasn’t for my mom I probably wouldn’t’ve even eaten (which isn’t good especially since I have type-2 diabetes, even at that time which was in 2020) until he did so I can understand completely. I don’t have any advice to give so I’m sorry.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Pets-Passed away: Hailey (9 years old, half rat terrier and miniature pincher, Feb-5-2019),Monster (13 years old, mixed breed, Lhasa Apso and some form of terrier, Sep-14-2020), Demon (14 year old Lhasa Apso, Aug-3-2022) Blossom (6 year old bunny breed(s) unknown, April-7-2024) Thumper (6 year old bunny breed(s) unknown, April-12-2024)💔💔💔💔

[prince dorian the bun]

I can be such a worrier about my buns. If I didn’t drive Dana crazy with my super long post while bonding them it’s only because she’s a Saint! I worry when they had gas as well and used to worry about what they might of eaten. One thing that helps me is having a pretty well stocked emergency kit and knowing what to do in most common scenarios. I at least feel like I can get through it with them. Might help you.

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