Trying to enjoy every minute: Healy’s journey through kidney failure

[SamC]

Hi folks. I apologize if this isn’t the proper place for such a posting, but I wasn’t sure. Since I’m not really asking a question, rather telling a story, I figured this spot made sense.

I’ve been having a rough time of it lately. About two weeks ago one of my rabbits, Oakley, died very suddenly in the night. I heard her screams at 3am, and screams really is the best description, I never want to hear that sound again. I ran into the next room where I found her standing on her hind legs in the litterbox. She appeared to be acute respiratory distress. I knelt by her and picked her up. She convulsed and squirmed to the floor. She took two more breathes and was gone. It was horrible and shocking and a complete mystery. She was not visibly ill, she was eating earlier that night and running laps the day before. She was a very happy bunny. She was three years old.

Healy, her bonded mate, is five (she was spayed, he is neutered). They had been together for 8 months. He was very alarmed by all of the commotion, but seemed to behave normally by the next morning. I took Oakley to be necropsied by a vet. The results were inconclusive, but the vet said that it was not a blockage or anything obvious. I like to think that maybe it was a congenital heart defect, that she lived as healthy and happily as she could for as long as she could, and that one day her heart gave out. That idea brings me some peace.

I brought Healy to his regular vet the following day for a check up. We ran a blood test after I suggested that he had lost weight. The results told us that Healy has kidney failure. What a week! It is a terminal diagnosis, but intially the vet seemed confident that we had some time.

Healy was a different rabbit when I brought him home from the vet that day. The stress of losing Oakley and the vet visit caught up with him very suddenly. He stopped eating pellets, hay, using the litterbox, and he would only eat carrot babyfood and applesauce. After a few days he began eating other veggies, but still no pellets/hay. Mentally he seemed to improve. He was demanding of attention and made it clear that he didn’t want to be alone (who could blame him). I started spending all my time with him when I was home. He thrived on the attention.

One night I returned home from work to find him very lethargic and dehydrated. His eyes looked sunken, he wouldn’t leave his hidebox, and he refused all food. I called the vet the following morning to get the equiptment to give SQ fluids. She reluctantly gave them to me after I told her that I wouldn’t bring him in because it would only stress him further. She told me again that he was dying and implied that I should give up. I went with my gut to keep trying and I gave Healy SQ fluids that day, and every other day since then, and he looks great! He has been eating a great variety of veggies and has started eating pellets again. He is so happy to see me every time I come home that I almost cry from the sight of him. He prefers to eat in my presence, but I have found that the sound of my voice also encourages him to eat.

I can see that he has lost even more weight, that he is frail and tired, but I don’t see pain, or suffering. We have good days and bad, happy moments and sad. Happy when he runs to me and flattens out for head rubs, sad when I realize that I won’t be able to do it much longer.

I’m starting this thread because I want to have a place to talk about Healy. I live in a busy college house where I am the only real animal lover. My family is hours away and my roommates don’t get it. I thought it would be healthy to talk to people that “get it”. I plan on sharing photos, stories, and updates on our progress over the next few weeks/months/who knows?

Healy shortly after being adopted in June 2011.

Healy and Oakley cuddling in their condo.

Healy 2/21/12 eating his salad.

[Monkeybun]

I think the first pic is the only pic in existence where a bunny is smiling instead of disapproving.

He’s such a beautiful boy. I’m so sorry you have had to go through all of this, and I hope he can continue having a good life for many days to come. Kidney failure can be rough

[bunnnnnnie!]

So sorry for your loss, and for the hardships with sweet Healy.  He’s a very cute little boy.

I think I’d just give him whatever he wants to eat at this point.  Spoil him, and it’s great that you’re spending all the time with him, it sounds like he’s really enjoying that.

Can the vet give you some pain medication or something for him, just to make him feel a little better?  Maybe something added to the fluids you’re already giving?

I totally understand needing a sympathetic ear.  So many people don’t “get” how a rabbit can be so huge in our lives.  I’m the same way.. no family nearby, very few friends.  My bunny is my life.

[Sarita]

I’m sorry about all you have gone through. The sub-q fluids are most likely what is keeping him going but you do need to be careful to not overdo it. I’ve had a few rabbits with kidney failure and it’s a difficult disease and you just want to make sure that you are doing what is right for Healy.

Hugs to you.

[bunnyfriend]

I’m really sorry that this is happening It is good that Healy is with someone who will take good care of him and give him plenty of love. He’s a very handsome rabbit, beautiful eyes!

[peppypoo]

I’m so sorry that you and Healy are going through this…I can’t imagine losing one of my babies and then being told that the other one is in poor health too . Like Sarita said, keeping him hydrated is good but I would be careful with the subcutaneous fluids considering his impaired kidney function. Also, make sure to consult with your vet before giving him any pain medications, as some meds like Metacam (and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories in general) can actually be very damaging to an already diseased kidney. Could you ask your vet if a low-salt diet would ease the stress on his kidneys..maybe cutting pellets?

He’s a beautiful guy, I hope your time with him is peaceful .

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so very sorry to hear about your bunny struggles of late. Many wishes for Healy to have many happy, pain-free days with you. He is such a beautiful bunny. We all feel your pain and will be here to support you during this difficult time. **Hugs**

[Beka27]

What a sweet, but heart-breaking write-up to Healy. It’s hard knowing he is going to pass sooner rather than later, but it sounds like this time is good for you because you are able to take it one day at a time and truly appreciate him. So often we get busy and go through the motions without stopping and seeing what’s right in front of us.

What is your vet’s timeline? Do you have a plan for letting him go at some point?

[SamC]

Thank you everyone for the comments. It’s a relief to hear from bunny lovers.
As for offering pain meds, I will certainly give it some thought, but for now he doesn’t seem to be in any pain. He eats well, grooms himself, and is active for the most part. I’ve read that overdoing it with the SQ is a bad thing for kidney disease and in this case it’s really a tough call. I only give him SQ when I see that he doesn’t have that “spark” in his eye. Usually it’s every 3 or 4 days and then he perks up within hours of getting the fluids.
I understand what some of you said about doing what is best for Healy and I really appreciate that. Doing what is best for Healy is my only objective here. Putting him down as soon as he was diagnosed or as soon as he stopped eating that first night, like two vets suggested didn’t feel like the right choice for us. I figured that we could give the fluids a shot and if it worked for a while- fantastic, and if not- at least we tried.
I haven’t been in contact with the vet for almost 2 weeks. I have a feeling that she thinks Healy died a week ago.
I will not let Healy suffer for one minute longer than he has too. I will make arrangements as needed. I actually really don’t like his vet. She is very crude and unfriendly, so I don’t think I want to go there but I will if I have too. My other option would be getting a vet friend of mine to help. I work at a rehab clinic for wild birds and I’m considering asking a vet there to do it.
I don’t know. It’s difficult to think about that sort of thing when Healy is in the next room munching on some carrot and grooming himself.

[Princess*Smudge]

I’m so sorry you’re going through this ordeal. I lost my bun Smudge to kidney failure back in August. It’s not an easy thing to go through. Smudge also seemed to have really good days and then not so good days, but we originally contributed that to her arthritis so I didn’t learn about her kidney failure until it was in a much more serious stage. Healy is very lucky to have such a wonderful bunny-slave to take care of him. I wish I could offer some advice, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done dealing with Smudge’s diagnosis… just knowing there was nothing I could do to fix it. Give Healy lots of love and I would definitely make sure you find a vet you’re comfortable with. The vet I dealt with was wonderful with Smudge and it makes a world of difference. It was so much easier having people understand and support your grief rather than treating you like “it’s just a rabbit” which is a lot of what I got afterwards. BBers are always here for you (((hugs to you and Healy)))

[SamC]

It’s been a difficult few days, but it’s nice to be able to share with BB. Healy is very very thin. He is still eating veggies and pellets, but he will only eat if I sit with him. He still hops around and begs for pets and raisins. He is starting to smell pretty ripe. He hasn’t used his litterbox in weeks and despite all the cleaning I do, he smells pretty strongly of urine. My cat is getting stinky too, because he likes to lay with Healy all the time lol. They are buddies. I gave him SQ fluids yesterday because he hadn’t eaten all day. Within an hour of the fluids he finished his salad.

At this rate of weight loss, I can’t imagine that he will make it much longer. I suspect we have a week, maybe two. I have been operating under the assumption that I would only put him down if/when he stopped eating and seemed uncomfortable. But now I’m second guessing that. If he continues to eat, but loses more weight I don’t know how I’ll know when it’s time. Unfortunately this doesn’t seem like a situation where he would pass on peacefully in his sleep. So I am left wondering what to do. I’ve been thinking that I will just “know” when he’s ready, but then there is the matter of getting an appointment. I also don’t want to be alone when I take him. I want my mom to come, but she is two hours away. She could probably make the trip if she had some notice, but scheduling a euthanasia appointment in advance seems so callused and what if he doesn’t look so bad by the appoinment?

I also want to make sure that the actually procedure is peaceful and that I can be with him. I remember taking my mom’s guinea pig, Pablo, to be put down due to severe bladder stones. My mom couldn’t handle it, so I went alone. The vet (not my current vet) placed Pablo in a little gas chamber for about ten minutes and then gave him the injection. From my understanding they have to anesthetize small animals, because it is too hard to find a vein and the euthanasia solution is very painful if not given in the vein. Pablo should have been asleep after the ten minutes (and he didn’t have a blink response), but when he got the injection he contorted and cried in pain. It was so awful. I never told my mom, because he was her baby and I didn’t want her to know how sad and upseting it was. The vet was very surprised by the incident and apologetic, he was a very well-known and experienced small animal vet. So you can probably see why euthanasia makes me very aprehensive. I just want to be sure that it is peaceful for Healy (and for my sake).

I would really like some input from anyone that has had to put a rabbit or other pet down. How did you know they were ready? How will I know?

Thanks guys!

I’m attaching Healy’s old petfinder page. I just got all choked up writing this and thinking about Healy. It makes me feel better that at least he found his forever home and that he is so very loved.

Here is Healy under my care. I like to think that he was very happy and spoiled here.

 

[Hokankai]

I recently put down my beloved dwarf rat Milo after a very long battle with an unknown respiratory bug. He lost weight over the course of several months until he was 1/2 the weight of his buddy.

What I did to know it was time was look for how he responded to his 3 favorite things. When he lost interest in those things I knew it would be time. It’s really hard to know when is the best time, and for me it was when he started acting like he was gasping and having trouble getting air. I made the appointment for that afternoon. I was very at peace and decided against being in the room, but made sure they used the gas+injection.

You will know when it is time. Just be in tune with him and he’ll let you know. When he turns down his favorite foods or stops being active or loses interest in you or whatever, you’ll know. It’s hard because you have to find the balance between holding on as long as you can and not waiting too long when they really begin to suffer…but you can do it

[LittlePuffyTail]

I recently dealt with having to decide when to put down my cat, Mystee, who had oral cancer. It was very hard because she was still eating (as best she could) and enjoying our attention. The plan was to wait until she stopped showing interest in her food but then we thought, at that point, she will be in pain. Do we want her last days with us to be in pain? We also had a chance to look in her mouth and seeing how bad it was helped us make the decision. I’ve lost many pets but this was the first time I’ve had to make that decision. It was hard saying goodbye and I still get very sad thinking about it but I know that I did what was right for Mystee. She left us feeling our love instead of being in pain.

You know Healy best and only you will know when the time is right. Many hugs to you. My heart is with you on this difficult journey.

[bunnnnnnie!]

Just sending you good thoughts and support.  I just had to help my sweet West bun pass about a week ago, and it was very hard.  She was in distress, but since she’s a bunny, it wasn’t so obvious like a dog or cat.  But she wasn’t eating, she had a painful look in her eyes, she was grinding her teeth a lot, and had become very very lethargic.

She didn’t receive gas.  She got an injection of a high dose of sedatives and painkillers (ketamine and morphine, I believe).  They said it might sting a little, as it was given in the muscle.  But she was in so much pain already, she didn’t even notice.  They gave her about 15 minutes snuggled up in my arms, then gave her a little more sedative.  Another 15 minutes or so, and she was unconscious in my arms.  No blink reflex, she was breathing but basically it was like she was in a very very deep sleep.  She was completely relaxed, and I could tell she really felt better, she was no longer in pain as the meds kicked in.

I wasn’t in the room when they administered the final medication, but as I said, she was already unconscious.  The vet said when they gave the final med, her pupils dilated and she just stopped breathing.  No vocalizing, no struggling.  They brought her back out so I could see her and say goodbye.

I know having to actually schedule the appointment can be hard to handle, but think of the saying “better a day too early than a minute too late”.  I still worry sometimes that I let West go too early, that there was SOMETHING else I could’ve done, but you need to keep the animal’s quality of life first. 

[Beka27]

I would call the vet and set-up an appointment to take him in. Schedule it for when you will be able to go (and maybe have the next day off for some much needed “me time”.) Having the appointment set in advance will prevent him from going too far, possibly being in pain, but then not being able to take him in for 1-2 days. And this way you are not “making the decision” as to when, your appointment is. I have preferred (when I knew it was going to be necessary) letting them go BEFORE they were obviously ready. Rabbits do hide pain, and you’re not going to know exactly how he’s feeling.

[Sarita]

I’ve had to put down many rabbits. My feeling is that even though they are eating, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are feeling well. As Beka mentions rabbits are prey animals and do hide pain. I had a rabbit with debilitating arthritis and she was disabled and she was eating, but I knew she was uncomfortable (she couldn’t use her litter box and was always urine stained) and I knew she was getting frustrated because the pain was getting worse even though she was taking pain medication daily and she was unable to move much, my vet and I both felt it was in her best interest to let her go because we knew she did not have a good quality of life.

I always wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing as well and I relied on my vet to help me make the best possible decision. I trust my vet completely and know she has my rabbit’s best interest at heart as well.

You definitely want your vet to do anesthesia to help them go peacefully – my vet did the iso gas for Peaches – she was scared of the smell and mask and unfortunately I was holding Peppermint so I couldn’t comfort her but my vet did and she was very tender with Peaches. I did not want to see the actual injection though so my vet took Peaches to the back for that and said she went quickly and peacefully. Peppermint and I then spent some time with her body. Your vet definitely won’t be able to find a vein for Healy as he is probably pretty dehydrated from the kidney failure.

I’ve had a few rabbits who had kidney failure and it took me awhile to figure it out, but the vet did bloodwork and when I mentioned the symptoms (sleeping alot and lethargic and not eating), she told me it was kidney failure and the one that comes to mind, Jingles, my vet said that the only thing that was really keeping him alive were the sub-q fluids that I had been administering (he had bladder sludge and other UTI issues). For his particular situation, it was pretty obvious he was not in good shape.

I agree with Bunnnnie as well, better to let them go while they are still feeling somewhat well, than to wait before it’s too late.

Hugs, it’s always a difficult decision.

[SamC]

Healy has passed. I brought him in yesterday to be put to sleep. Initially I had made an appointment for next weekend, but then Healy decided he was ready sooner than later. He stopped eating most foods by Tuesday and he seemed so tired. When he lost interest in bananas and raisins, his favorite things in the whole world, I knew he was ready. We sat together for a few hours on Tuesday. I pet him and told him stories about bringing him home, bonding him with Oakley, and all of the trouble he used to get into. On Wednesday he followed me everywhere around the house and laid around with the cat. Finally we went to the vet, just me and him. The vet asked if I wanted to hold him or have him sit on the table. Healy had never liked being held so of course I said the table. I held onto him while she gave him a sedative by injection and when she took her hand off Healy, he literally leapt into my arms. Once he snuggled into my neck and I held him tight, he calmed down quickly. The vet left me alone with him and we just sat together while I scratched his head and rubbed his cheeks the way he liked. I talked to him and kissed him, he seemed so peaceful. I reminded him to say hello to Oakley for me. After about ten minutes he was in a deep sleep. The vet returned and, after putting a catheter in his leg, she gave the final injection. He passed so peacefully. I stayed with him for a while longer and then gave him one last kiss goodbye. I chose to do a private cremation so that when I get his ashes back I can mix them with Oakley’s and bury them together.
I miss him so much already. It feels like a big hole in my chest. But I know it gets better, I just went through it with Oakley. I haven’t been able to go into his room yet to clean anything up. It’s too empty in there. I’ve had Healy since I moved into this house so it’s hard to be here without him. And I don’t even want to think about all of the bunny supplies I have to deal with. I guess I will eventually donate them unless I decide to get another bunny. Healy was just so special though, that I’m not sure another bun would fill the void. Right now I’m just happy to snuggle up to my cat and maybe enjoy some of the nice weather we’re having.
I want to thank you all for all of the support and love I’ve gotten here in the last weeks. It’s been really hard, but BB has helped me through it. I hope to return to the forum in the near future, but right now it’s too sad.

Healy and Soren the cat.

Rest in peace my sweet bunnies. I love you so much.

[bunnnnnnie!]

So so sorry for your loss.  You did the right thing, and I’m so glad his passing was peaceful.  Sending you my complete sympathy, I just lost my little girl West about a week ago, so I know exactly how you’re feeling.  I had to leave her cage up a few days too, I couldn’t handle it.

Hugs and support for you, but he’s in a better place now, he’s not sick anymore, and you’ll see each other again.  I bet my girl West is showing him around up there, and they’re both looking down on us.

[Sarita]

So sorry, hugs to you.

[Bumblebunny]

So sorry about your loss. You took amazing care of them both. They will join a great Binky Bunny family over the Bridge

[Esarv]

So so so sorry about your loss, losing something so important in life is very hard. Best wishes to you and just know that they are happy together now <3

[Beka27]

I’m sorry. It sounds like it was a peaceful passing. I’m glad you were able to comfort him.

(((Binky free Healy)))

[MimzMum]

I am so sorry about Healy’s passing. I can see you did the very best for him you could. I’m sure that handsome boy and his beloved Oakley are both smiling down upon you from the Bridge.
It does hurt…so much. It will be two years on the 16th since my 14 year old husky, Shadow, had to be released due to kidney failure. It is a long, hard journey, but you were on it together for the whole way.
Bless you. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you.

[LBJ10]

Healy sounds like such a sweet bunny. I’m sorry that you had to lose him so soon. =(

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so very sorry. I’m all teared up right now after reading your post. But I’m glad you were able to let him go peacefully and that he was with you at the end. He was a beautiful bunny and I’m sure he knew how much you loved him. May you take comfort in all the wonderful memories you shared.

((((Binky Free Sweet Healy)))))

And we would love for you to still stop by to visit us here on BB.

[peppypoo]

Reading this thread on Healy has made me tear up a couple of times now, but I’m glad that he is no longer in pain anymore. Comfort to you on the loss of your bunnies – it so hard to lose them. But you did a great job in monitoring his needs and letting him go when he needed to. Binky free (and together), Healy and Oakley!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I’m so sorry…I do not cry, but I’m just balling right now. I’m so sorry -I’m sending Big Hugs to you. My goodness what a sudden loss. I am at a loss for what to say, except that I am sharing your grief -Healy and Oakley were such beautiful buns and were so lucky to have you. I know in time you will be able to look back and smile when you think of them, and that it’s so painful right now, but they are smiling down at you from the rainbow bridge and are healthy and together again.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

[Author]

Messages