I've just acquired a rabbit .... positive news....

In my search for a companion for Binky (and if I'm really honest a a mission to find a bunny that needed some extra care) I rang P@H adoption and they described a spayed lop cross, 5 years old.

I went to see her and she is the absolute image of Tinkerbell except she has a few black markings. She wasn't what I was expecting from description and it would be a bit weird getting yet another bunny of that description (Erin is very similar but harlequin instead of tan). Anyhow, as I talk to them there was some confusion and she might not be spayed, they couldn't find any confirmation of it. Not that that matters as I would get it done anyway but if she's been done we don't want to put her through it again. I can't bear the thought of a 5 year old doe unspayed, it's like a ticking timebomb.

As the assistant goes for the notes I notice the bunny (now known as Dinky) has got slightly weepy eyes She was very happily munching hay and certainly seemed to be coping well. Anyhow, assistant comes back with paperwork and says that the P@H vets said she had slight molar spurs and uneven jaw I'm reading 'uneven' to be 'lumpy' and possible abscess And she was just waiting there, for as long as it takes, for someone to adopt her She's been at the store for two weeks, I will be so upset if she has an abscess and it's just been left to fester. The other half of me is saying well done to them that they didn't just write her off as unadoptable and PTS.

I shall be getting her to the vets first thing and no doubt if they are concerned about the 'uneven jaw' they will be keeping her for x-rays etc. I had hoped to let her settle until the beginning of next week because she got stressed with the 20 mile car journey, but having observed that she would appear to have been dribbing and she isn't particularly clean round her rear, I think I need to give the vet trip priority.

I've been here before as Elijah was thin with weepy eyes but after a tearduct flush and TLC he's been fine, 2 years and no dental problems, same story for Binky. So might not need anything major but she's a sweet little thing and she deserves somebody to take her on and make the effort, even though it could be a scary journey.

I'll report back on her progress.

Fingers crossed she isn't hiding anything sinister. Having lost three buns to jaw abscesses, I know how devastating they are.

NickieM wrote:Fingers crossed she isn't hiding anything sinister. Having lost three buns to jaw abscesses, I know how devastating they are.

Thanks
As well as the emotional side, which I'm trying not to factor in as I took her on with potential problems so I have to accept that I chose to put myself through that - are jaw abscesses horrendously expensive? I have insured her but of course she won't be insured for this.

They may have a rough time, but you have made it so much better for the little one for just being there and wanting to help her.

Kudos to you

Dotdot wrote:They may have a rough time, but you have made it so much better for the little one for just being there and wanting to help her.

Kudos to you

Thanks. I always think, "What the hell have I done?", have sleepless nights etc, but I keep doing it so at least I know the score .. I guess I would have had more sleepless nights if I'd just left her there so I must have been meant to find her

Credit to you for taking on a bun in need. Hope the vet visit does not uncover too many problems for you both. I'm sure she is going to appreciate her loving new home very much

Good for you for taking her anyway. Here's hoping that she will be 100% when she has had treatment.

Jaw abscesses are my absolute worst fear with rabbits so I thoroughly commend you for taking her on. I sincerely hope the bumpy jaw line turns out to be a minor side effect of her dental spurs and nothing more.

Well done you for taking her. Its a wonderful thing you did.

As you know I now have two buns with Jaw abscesses - Daisy has been fighting his for almost three years and is constantly on ABX and pain meds but outwardly he is a perfectly normal and happy little bun. He's not in any pain - although we do monitor him very very closely and have had a couple of occassions where he has had to be admitted to manage his pain - but you really wouldnt know - and he doesnt know there is anything wrong.

And also we adopted Charlie in Jan, with his weepy eyes and tooth jaw problems (and abscess) but as with Daisy he is pain managed very carefully and will always be on ABX.
Charlie is such a very happy little boy - he binkies everywhere, eats like there is no tomorrow and again, to look at him you wouldnt know anything was wrong. His quality of life is fabulous.

There have been, and will continue to be many sleepless nights and expensive vet trips - but I feel that both of them (especially Charlie) were destined to be mine so that they can have a wonderful amazing life in the time we have.

And despite all of that every day they are a Joy to me - and each day precious. Nothing makes me happier than to see either of them binky or get up to something naughty because it is a little miracle that they can.

Yes there will be heartbreak, but I wouldnt change having them.

I pray that her teeth are just molar spurs and that there is no underlying problem, and I know you already know this, but as hard as it might be the good will outweigh the heartache.

You have done a fabulous thing. Sending nose rubs x x x x

Oh thanks guys. I think I'm just reeling from losing Shadow and seeing as he was heading for dental abscesses, I think it just felt right. I'm still punishing myself for losing Shadow and vet also seems to think she should have had a crystal ball as she would have done anaesthetic differently if she knew about his other medical condition... seeing as they've not seen that in rabbits before, then the chances of knowing what was wrong before PM were very, very slim. Doesn't stop me thinking if I had played it differently she might have been able to have a better clue that injectable anaesthetic would be too much... Anyhow, can't change the past, I CAN care for Dinky in his memory.

Dinky went to vets this morning and had a thorough once over by Ruth who also shaved Dinky's bottom to make it easier for her to stay clean. She does have spurs but they don't appear to be bothering her, yet. There is a possibility of uneven jaw but not bad and certainly not indicative of abscesses, more likely tooth roots, probably my brain on overtime with that one. So, she's likely to need dentals at some point, she's more susceptible to abscesses than a bun with no dental problems but hopefully, it would seem that fortunate favours the brave on this occasion and I've got a very lovely mature rabbit with hopefully not too much wrong with her. I've just had confirmation from P@H that there's no record of her being spayed, they offered to do it for free! But I only want FHB's practice to do it especially as she's 5 years. So it will be done in about 12 days or so (having had vaccine today).

It's amazing what you're doing, and you're sure to change her life. I only hope it's not serious and she's got many happy years with you yet

Thats great news!

She has just well and truly landed on her paws!

Welcome to an amazing new live Dinkyx x

Hello Dinky love, lots of nose rubs are on their way.

Hugs

JO xx

Yes Well done for giving her a chance

Sending lots and lots of Vibes for her and hoping that she keeps well xxxxxxx

Thank you for adopting Dinky! I firmly believe that
you found each other for a reason. Special buns
need special people to love and care for them. I'm
so glad you recognized this and have Dinky in your
life. I'm praying that you will have many love filled
and happy, healthy years together!

Great news

I'm pleased it has turned out better than you thought

As for the spay, I would ask P&H to pay towards FHB doing it whatever they would have paid another vet to do it and then you top up the difference. I'm quite impressed that they offered to have it done, though

Thanks everybody. I have to admit that today I've had the 'what the hell have I done?' thoughts re: the financial side, I'm not exactly loaded, but then I go to visit her and her little face melts me, so the rest will fall into place. And having seen prices for dentals around the country, I know our vet is definitely not expensive - only about 1/4 of the price of some of the fees I've seen

Sparky wrote:
As for the spay, I would ask P&H to pay towards FHB doing it whatever they would have paid another vet to do it and then you top up the difference. I'm quite impressed that they offered to have it done, though

I was amazed when they offered but I could actually hear the assistant talking to her manager when he originally said to offer a discount, I heard her say that I'd told her the day before that I was registered with a rabbit specialist so she doubted I'd want to take up the offer - she was obviously listening and understood the implications - I've got to hand it to her she was rabbit savvy and excellent at pointing out all she needed to to me to make sure the rabbit didn't get lumbered with an owner who was out of their depth. The offer was for a spay with Companion Care, who belong to P@H, so kind of in-house so costs them very little, she did make it clear that it wasn't to pay for the spay but to have it done there. Bearing in mind they've cared for the rabbit for 2 weeks, had her vet checked, made a few phone calls on our behalf and I only paid them £15 I think it was great. I didn't actually think about it at the time but another reason I want FHB to do the procedure is she will be checking her teeth/doing a dental at the same time and I wouldn't be surprised if she x-rays her skull too so we have information to plan any future treatment. Dinky may well get a tear duct flush too - I've never been charged for them when they happen to a bun being neutered.

aww big ears you also have a big heart i think thats a very lucky bun

Congratulations on your new addition! She is very lucky to have found you and I'm so pleased the vet visit wasn't as scary as it could have been

Would love to see a pic of Dinky

Thumper2001 wrote:Congratulations on your new addition! She is very lucky to have found you and I'm so pleased the vet visit wasn't as scary as it could have been

Would love to see a pic of Dinky

I will see what I can do. I will try and get one of Tinky from the same angle and you will go Tinky is crossbreed of one lop and one uppy ears and Dinky has crazy ears (similar to my signature pic of Tink) so I think she is also of mixed parentage.