New - Rabby's story (sorry so long)
Cindy McMullen and Vern Weber
had a chronically ill bunny and I know how emotionally draining it is,
but it also made me love him more. I feel that I fought for every
moment that I had with him and so each one was so special. You sound
like the perfect bunny mom and I hope that one day you do bring another
bunny into your home. It will be a lucky bunny for sure!
Welcome to our group!
Cindy
jc...@my-dejanews.com
knowledgeable, diversified group interested in Bunnies. I recently lost my
bunbun, Rabby, and would like to tell her story to introduce us. Hope you
don't mind, I'll warn you, it is long so I apologize in advance.
My baby bun, Rabby, was born in our yard to a mother that was most likely the
offspring of ferel rabbits. Her father probably was a Snowshoe rabbit
(because of the size of her feet, her body size and structure, color and ear
size we, and the vet, think Rabs was part snowshoe). We have a very wooded
yard and snowshoes seem to like it for the protection. Rabby was attacked by
a neighborhood cat at about the age of 4-6 weeks. A neighbor saved her and
brought her to me. We inspected her for wounds and could find nothing wrong
but a broken/badly twisted left shoulder. Not knowing what to do, we offered
her milk from a spoon which she drank pronto. She did not appear frightened
and never tried to bite or escape. She survived her first weeks on
dandelions and milk. You can't believe the amount of dandelions a tiny
rabbit can eat (her heaviest adult weight was 3.25 lbs. so at this age, she
was tiny). We were not sure what to do with her (setting her free with the
broken shoulder was NOT an option) or where to keep her. We did not know
what WONDERFUL house pets rabbits are. I did a little research at the
library (no computer then). Thanks to HRS and the House Rabbit Handbook we
had decided to keep her as a pet. Her leg was beyond repair (it was twisted
and rested against her side with the little foot sticking out) so it was
amputated when she was about 4 months old. She came through the operation
with flying colors, even up and hopping a bit that night and eating right
away. She litter trained herself, and never piddled in the house. She had
her box (litter box inside) in a spare bedroom with free run of the house
when we were home. She never chewed or destroyed anything except telephone
cords (electrical cords were VERY protected). She was completely tame,
didn't mind being picked up, would give me "bunny kisses" when held up to my
cheek, would purr when held cradled like a baby and upside down on my knees,
and would sleep on my chest at night while I watched TV. She was a little
"angel bunny".
Although the amputation never gave her any problems, she did develop health
problems. She had intermittent diarrhea, plugged ears, and two bouts with
pneumonia. She also developed a chronic sneezing problem. She sneezed when
ever and what ever she ate. Some days worse than others. She was thoroughly
checked out, x-rays sent to specialist, put out to check for growths etc. in
the nose, throat, and teeth, and my vet consulted a well known rabbit
specialist listed on the HRS site. No answers. She, and we, just learned to
cope. Because of eating difficulty, it was hard for her to keep weight on
(3.25 heaviest, 2.4 lightest). She seemed to be doing well, up to her
heaviest weight and then she slowed up on her eating and developed severe
breathing difficulties, literally GASPING for air (from beginning to end it
was only 3-4 days). We started baytril, she stopped eating altogether and no
water (never was a water drinker, but that's another story). Even through
everything else, she always ate. I syringe fed her. My vet tried injectable
antibiotics, asthma medication, and oxygen all without any results. Her
lungs were clear (x- rayed), body temp 97. She lost weight by the minute,
was VERY weak, and seemed incoherent. The vet had no other treatment and I
had no option but to end her suffering. In looking back, this was probably
brewing for a while. She was tough as nails, but not very healthy for a long
time. I know by her habits that there were times she was not actually sick,
but did not feel well. After describing the episode to a specialist, it was
suggested that abnormal stimulation of certain brain areas can induce
abnormal breathing problems (lungs were clear). Perhaps an abscess on the
brain, not common, but do occur.
For two years and one week the first thing I did every morning was let her out
and the last thing I did at night was put her to bed. I loved her very much
and miss her unbelievably. My husband says, "you do your best and sometimes
you loose". How true. I was truly lucky to have her. I will have other
buns, but there will only be one Rabby.
Sorry this is so long. I wanted to kind of introduce us before actually
joining the group.
Jaci
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KPAYNE91
>She was completely tame,
>didn't mind being picked up, would give me "bunny kisses" when held up to my
>cheek, would purr when held cradled like a baby and upside down on my knees,
>and would sleep on my chest at night while I watched TV. She was a little
>"angel bunny".
0=)
There is no question that you loved her very much and miss her so. The
wonderful thing about our bunnies is their very unique personalities each one
with just that special quality. Always adding to our own character. Touching
our hearts like nothing else.
Welcome to this group and Thank you for sharing Rabby.
Katherine
Mrs. Juanda Johnson at THE COOP
: What a wonderful bunny Rabby was. I'm sorry that you lost her. I too
Hi, Jaci!
I wholeheartedly agree with Cindy. You have been and will be a great
bunny mom. It's nice to meet you. Also, I am biased here, my daughter's
name is Jacy - close, huh? She often reads the posts (the ones I feel
are o.k. and I know she will love to hear about Rabby. And, also, by the
way, my name is Robby. Welcome!
Robby, Jacy, Dan, and Fleetrunn (Wow! Another Jaci? This is soooo cool!)