*****Very sickly elderly bunny******

[JD]

 My parents have had a rabbit for about 10-11 yrs….mom found him running lose in a park so he could have been 1-3 yrs old when she brought him home, we’ve never really known.  In any case, i’ve learned from my dad that for the past week Chester has been going down hill health wise.  He’s lost interest in food for the most part and is not drinking as much as usual and since Sat. night my mom has noticed no pee or poo.  I even brought over some fresh hay that I ordered (blue grass and timothy) thinking that it was so darn delicious he wouldn’t be able to resist.

 

He just looks tired, like he’s ready to pass over the rainbow bridge.  I thought to myself “he’s led a long life, maybe this is his time” but I just wanted to know what your thoughts were? Is there anything you can do when they are this age or does it seem like he’s just reaching the time for him to pass? I don’t know……i can’t really be objective as I’m attached to him as well.  I offered to make an appt for him for tomorrow with a vet that I trust dearly with all of my animals (rabbit experienced) but i don’t know if that’s really needed at this point or if it’s just his time and a trip to the vet would only stress him in his already very fragile state.

 

Please help, any words or suggestions are appreciated. I guess i’ve realized that I haven’t had to go through this any time recently and I don’t know what to do. I don’t know at what point you just sit there with them in their final hours and offer a little carrot to nibble if they’ll take it and never ending head pats to comfort them. I don’t know if that’s what we should be doing right now or if we should be rushing him to a vet. He just seems so frail right now, if it’s simply the inevitable time that has come, I don’t want to put him throught the stress of being carted around to the vet if it’s not going to help him.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

It’s probably best to take him into the vet. He may very well be dying but it’d be nice to have him euthanized rather then letting it stretch out over a few days… He’s had a long lovely life and it may be time to say goodbye. *hugs*

[MooBunnay]

I’m sorry to hear your bunny isn’t doing well – while it may be his time to pass, it may also be a bout of stasis that a vet could diagnose. It sounds like your bunny has led a long and wonderful life, and if you feel that it is his time to pass then I definitely understand.

If I just had the information that a bunny was not eating or pooping without the additional information you provided – I would say that it is stasis and it is important to get the bunny to the vet right away to get motility drugs and Critical Care. The fact that he is elderly definitely does count into that however, but I would say only you and your parents can make that decision. I definitely think that if it is stasis the vet can do several different things to help.

Good luck with making your decision, I know it is not easy, and it is very kind of you to put your elderly bunny’s feelings first

[BunMumTiff]

so sorry to hear about Chester……I will keep him in my thoughts today

[RabbitPam]

My bunny was only 8, and we carted him back and forth to the vet several times over the last week. I understand how you feel about that, though I found that when he was cushioned in a towel in my arms and lap, with one of my parents driving, he seemed content and comfortable to be held by me.

I’m thinking that you can call your vet today and tell her just what you told us. It’s possible that she can call in a perscription and an order for syringes if you need them, and give you instructions to administer meds at home now without stressing him. Then call her back if they have any effect positive or neg. She may not be able to do that without seeing him once first, but she will probably understand your feelings. She can also tell you want signs to watch for if he begins to fail.

Problem is, none of us can really know when it’s someone’s time. So many humans and animals seem imminent, then rally, have another better day, then pass away. My vet had sent my cat home with kidney failure to be in his own surroundings, but we took him in to be euthenized when he lost consciousness. My bunny held on until he passed in my arms on the vets table moments before she came in.

{{{{{{{{{{{Hugs to you and your family. Peace to Chester}}}}}}}}}}}}

[JK]

Oh I am so sorry.  I agree with KK. He has lived a nice long life and maybe he’s ready to go.  I think I would definitely see the vet and maybe your answer will come then.  Same thing happened with my dog.  I just knew it was her time and I took her to the vet where she collapsed.  It’s just the toughest part of owning an animal.  Take care.

[Beka27]

i’m so sorry about this. poor little guy! i will echo what everyone else said, he has led a long and wonderful life. much longer than other rabbits can even hope to have. your parents were his beautiful guardian angels that saved him from the elements and restored him. this is a dicision you guys have to make, along with your vet. it might be a treatable condition like MooBunnay said, but if the treatment is going to be more stressful (tests, frequent vet trips, or surgeries) i’m thinking that it may be more peaceful for all involved to say your final goodbyes and let him head over that Bridge.

((((((((((((((((((CHESTER!)))))))))))))))))))

(((((((((((((mom and dad & family)))))))))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m very sad to hear about your bunny. I know how hard it can be to deal with this, especially after having him so long. Please give us an update. You are both in my thoughts.

[JD]

Thank you all for your kind messages as well as words of advice, it truly does mean alot. It’s helpful to be able to talk to people whose pets mean to the world to them as mine do to me.

Update: Monday morning 1st thing when I got to work, I called my vet to talk to him about Chesters deteriorating health. He advised to keep an eye on him and if he looked like he was fighting for breath or in pain then to bring him in and we could help him pass on more comfortably. He admitted that taking Chester’s age into consideration that most likely his time had come. I had to leave Monday on a business trip so I called and gave my parents the information that the vet gave me and left his number with them so they could rest assured they’d had contact with a vet they could trust if they needed.

I’m still out of town, come home tomorrow. But, I called my parents because of course Chester has been on my mind. I learned from my dad that Chester passed peacefully last night while sleeping in my moms arms. I felt so bad for my mother because she’s been spending almost everyday taking care of her sick sister and very poor health mom (my grammy)….Saturday when I came by to bring the hay for Chester my mom leaned down to pat his head and with tears in her eyes looked at me and said “it looks like everywhere I go death’s all around me”. It broke my heart to not be able to make him better for her. I mean…her animals have always meant so much to her and after spending her days taking care of dying family members it just seemed so cruel for her to have to come home to watch her baby bunny die too. I was just so glad she was at home with him. (She spends several nights a week at my grandma’s to care for her)

It brought peace to my mom that she was cuddling Chester when he passed. I’m so grateful that she was able to be with him. My dad (god bless that amazing man who has buried every family pet we’ve ever owne INCLUDING MY GOLDFISH!) laid our family friend to rest in the back yard by my mothers roses.

Thank you all again for the support, it’s always sad to lose a beloved friend.

Jess

[Beka27]

wow. my thoughts are with you and your family. that must be very difficult on your mom…

Binky Free Chester…

[MimzMum]

My heartfelt sympathies on the passing of Chester.

And my prayers for you and your mom and all the family members she is caring for.

God bless your mom, it is never easy to see a pet pass. But I am also thankful that she could be there with him.

Your whole family sounds wonderful. There is a lot of love all around you.

Binky free, dear Chester!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

My thoughts are with you and your family during this time, Chester was lucky to have you,

Binky free Chester

[MooBunnay]

I am sorry to hear about Chester’s passing, but I am glad that he was able to do so in such a peaceful manner. It shows that you and your parent’s made the best choice for him. I will keep my prayers with you and your family and Chester.

[BinkyBunny]

Oh, what a wonderful loving life he had with you all. Such an incredible gift of love all around – so much so that he felt safe to pass peacefully in your mother’s arms. That too is a such a blessing even within the sadness and loss. Sending peace and “heart” healing vibes your family’s way.

[RabbitPam]

What a comfort to him to pass in the arms of the person he loved so much.
My deepest sympathy for you and your family as you go through this terribly heart-wrenching time together. I does seem to make it harder when even your pets are in crisis.

 {{{{{{{{{{Vibes of comfort and peace to you, your parents, and your ailing family members.}}}}}}}}}}}}

[JK]

Well what a nice way to go in a sense.  It’s never easy but at least Chester did not have to go to the vet and be prodded and poked. Poor little guy but at least he’s out of pain, if he even was in any. Take care.

[rabbitsmba]

Oh how sad – yet in a way, sweet and beautiful. Chester felt your mother’s warmth and love in his final moments and I am sure it helped him to let go and take his journey across the Rainbow Bridge.

My heart goes out to your family, especially your mom. Perhaps think of it this way – Chester crossed over first so that he will be there to greet anyone one else who might follow in his little footsteps – maybe she will find comfort in that.

Binky free Sweet Chester….

[LittlePuffyTail]

My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I cried just reading your post, how very sad to lose such a great friend.When you love an animal like we all love our bunnies, it is so terribly hard to say goodbye. You are losing a friend, a loved one, not just a pet. But that is the best way for a bunny to go. At home, in the arms of a loved one, after living a long life with people who loved him. I hope this is how all my beloved angels go when the time comes. I hope you and your family feel the comfort of that.

[bunnytowne]

OH gosh I have tears in my eyes. My Charlie sure had a long happy life. May  your Mom have peace and ease soon (vibes)  What a way to go. In his best friends arms.  Awe.  You were right he was telling y’all something. He waited to be comforted just b4 he crossed his rainbow bridge. He seems to  have been trying to give comfort too b4 he went.

Rabbits are smart and have big hearts too.   His family does too.    May things become easy for your family and all of you find peace in this.

It may be too soon for me to ask but I just can’t help it….    When time is right  will y’all be looking for another bun?  Maybe another adult bun to love and care for? I am sure Charlie would like that.  For his family to grieve then move on to share their love with another bunny.  Of course that is a very personal decision.  Some people need lots of time b4 opening their hearts and home to another.

Charlie had lots of love and a great family.  Y’all will meet again.

[JD]

Thank you so much for all of your sweet words and for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. I’m going to copy some of your sweet messages and send them to my mom as I know she will greatly appreciate it as well.

[JD]

Posted By bunnytowne on 10/29/2008 1:32 PM

“It may be too soon for me to ask but I just can’t help it….    When time is right  will y’all be looking for another bun?  Maybe another adult bun to love and care for? I am sure Charlie would like that.  For his family to grieve then move on to share their love with another bunny.  Of course that is a very personal decision.  Some people need lots of time b4 opening their hearts and home to another.”

 

My mom is the type to shut herself off completely to animals for a bit after losing one. It hurts her too bad and she doesn’t want to go through that hurt again…then sooner or later another little critter wiggles it’s way into her heart…usually always some sort of rescue situation.  She offered me her bun cage but I told her to keep it as I would really love to get her a baby bun someday when the time is right. I really want to get her a very young bun so she can have him for as long as possible.  Please don’t get me wrong….i don’t typically give pets as gifts. But for my mom it’s a bit different and besides that if for some reason I got one for her and she absolutely decided that she couldn’t deal with the thought of losing another bun someday, i’d gladly keep it! I’ve already got 2 might as well make it a trio!!!!! :-p  I just got back in town today and I’ve been cuddling my bunnies all evening, thanking god that I’ve still got them around.  Little Orphan Annie and I had some really good bonding time as she is shedding out her baby lionhead coat something fierce! and I had to spend about an hour making her all perfect and pretty 🙂

Thanks again to all of you 🙂

 

In memory of our Sweet Chester Rabbit, here’s a picture of him a couple years ago full of spunk and perfect as ever 🙂

 

 

11029365597571.JPG

[Deleted User]

BunnyMomma…I cried reading this thread. Especially the part about your mom saying death is all around her. I can relate to that, my Fu died the week we buried my mother and 2 weeks after we buried my cousin’s husband. With all the illness going round it was a battle to give her the care she needed, but she was getting better then suffered a set back. My mom loved Fu, so I had to wonder if she went with her. I like to think so.

Your mom is a fantastic person to care for all in her family including her fur baby. I know from experience, that after mourning Chester, she will open her heart again. When people love animals, never say never. When the time is right, a special bun will appear. I had not planned on another rabbit, it took me months to clean out Fu’s condo. But shortly after I had the heart to do it…here came Shadow.

((((( hugs to all of you )))))

[Beka27]

what a handsome rabbit! he looked like a real character… *hugs!*

[Author]

Messages