What is happening to my bunnies???

As you know I lost Annabelle & Hazel a few months ago to unknown problem. They passed away within a couple of hours of finding them 'not quite right' which was a total shock

I then of course had to make the horrible decision to have old Charlie PTS a couple weeks ago

You know about little Opal being PTS yesterday also.

To add to all this Laura rang me at 10.30 last night in tears.. I rushed over there and Margo was laying in her arms all floppy and lathargic....
Looked exactly the same as Annie & Hazel.
I decided to leave her with Laura and hope she would last the night and Laura would take her to the vets first thing this morning. Our nearest emergency vet is miles away and we both agreed the journey would stress her alot.

I came home and recieved a text at midnight to say she had died in Lauras arms


I feel like the worst bunny owner in the entire world right now

Oh no I'm so sorry to hear this

You are not a bad bunny owner, you have done everything you could to care for these little ones, you've got them veterinary care when needed. Sometimes nothing can be done, and that is no reflection on you.

Take care of yourself, and try not to blame yourself.

I'm really sorry, that's so tragic.

Have you had any post-mortems done? It would probably give you answers. I'm wondering if anything would show up in blood test/x-rays etc of any remaining bunnies.

I've no idea what illness the symptoms would fit with but it sounds like there's something going on for Margo to have had the same symptoms. There's no way you could have predicted it though, so go easy on yourself.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine the strain that this is having on you but please do not feel guilty. You are making difficult decisions with the best intentions for your buns welfare at heart. Please do not blame yourself.

Oh that is awful Are they all vaccinated? Only things I know that can kill a seemingly healthy bun within hours is a blockage or VHD.
I would deffo get a post mortem done, just to rule out anything contagious.
I don't think you are a bad bunny mummy, it seems like something is going on and there was nothing you could have done for Opal. We had a bun at the rescue that had immensely damaged kidneys due to EC even though she had been treated and recovered from the head tilt; she was pts as soon as she had the scan results showing her poor kidneys. You did the best thing for Opal.
*huge huge hugs*

All our bunnies are vaccinated.
None have had post mortem done...I know I should but I absolutley HATE the thought of my babies being cut up!!

I am thinking of asking for blood tests to be done on the 5 remaining buns to see if there is anything 'off'

Kate7590 wrote:All our bunnies are vaccinated.
None have had post mortem done...I know I should but I absolutley HATE the thought of my babies being cut up!!

I am thinking of asking for blood tests to be done on the 5 remaining buns to see if there is anything 'off'

I know post mortem sounds horrible and I thought I wouldn't be comfortable with it either but if it makes a difference to the remaining bunnies it might be worth facing. The first one I had post-mortemed died at 9 months old from what seems like just a stasis episode. Because the vets I use wanted to understand what had taken the life, so suddenly, of a seemingly healthy young rabbit, they asked if they could do a PM (for free) they also told me it would be prudent as I had other rabbits. Izzy wasn't vaccinated for VHD as I'd only had her a couple of weeks and were in the waiting time from her having myxi vaccination. It turns out she had a liver torsion, so no danger to my rabbits and nothing I could have done to prevent it. Really, it was just like she'd had an operation but after she had died rather than before. I then lost Dot straight after surgery for a blockage - I got her back after surgery the only difference is she had the surgery before she died. A couple of months ago I lost Shadow under GA, he went for a dental, again as he was only young, the vets asked if they could PM him to understand what had been wrong with him. After I got him back I spent quite a bit of time with him before he went for cremation and honestly he wasn't a lot different to if they hadn't done a PM - I could see that he had surgery but his belly wasn't even shaved - he looked so peaceful and I got peace of mind as to why he died. I know it's incredibly hard to face and it's only because my vets are so good that I've managed to face it - it might be worth talking it over with the vets if you think there is a glimmer of a possibility you could go through with it, though I totally understand if you can't. I hope you can get some answers whichever route you take.

I am very sorry to hear this. I agree, PM would be a prudent option to save yourself from going through this again.

What horrendous news love, I am sending lots of love and cuddles. Don;t for a mintue think you are a bad bunnymummy. We have all had similar things happen and understand completely.

Hugs

JO xx

Goodness, I can't quite believe this. You've certainly been through a hell of a lot and I understand you beating yourself up - but try not to.

Kate, I am so sorry to hear the tragic events of last night - how very difficult it must be to come to terms with

I would also agree that a PM may be worth doing, whether they find something that helps put your mind at rest about the others or something which means you potentially find something that they may need treating for. We had Molly PMed as she was the third bun to die from Pasteurella and we wanted a better idea of what was going on. They found lesions on her organs which meant that she was never going to get well, and help stop us beating ourselves up over whether we could have done more. It's also put us in a much better position to make any decision that may be needed if any of our other buns ever become that poorly. The way we saw it was that the bit of Molly that made her Molly was no longer present, and we were confident that her remains would be treated with dignity and respect by our vets.

Lots of thoughts and hugs for you

oh hun i am so so sorry you have had such a rought time of it
your not a bad bunny mummy at all you should have a pm done if only to save any more awful problems but i can understand it must be awful to think of,
love and hugs go out to you
binky free margo xx

I am so sorry to hear you have been having such a rough time lately. I really hope you are not suffering too much and try not to blame yourself, you are most definitely NOT a bad bunnymummy.

I agree with the others, if you can face it a PM may be worthwhile. You can also then take peace in the fact that it could be helping your other buns in the long run.

I hope you are holding up ok

I hope you are feeling better today love, it doesn't help much but I am sending lots of love and cuddles. I too think a PM would be a good idea.

Hugs

JO xx

Bless your heart! This is just so horrible! You are not a bad bunny mummy. You love them, take care of them and you get them vet care when needed.
I think a PM would be a good idea. Make sure they check for toxins. Sudden death in an apparently healthy bun make one pause to thought.

You aren't bad at all, look at the wonderful things you have done for the rescue rabbits you took in, giving new a new life, spacious hutches, revamping your shed......... you are very thoughtful and kind. I'm sorry for your losses so soon after each other.xxx

Hope today finds you a little brighter love and vincethebunny is right, you are anything but a bad bunny mummy. Sending lots of loves.

Hugs

JO xx

An unexpected sudden death is hard to deal with but when you have had several it is understandable that you will wonder whether you could have done something different. A PM could set your mind at rest and help ensure if there is something contagious, you know what is to come.

I am sure it is nothing you have neglect to do and just a serious of unfortunate coincidences.

You are a loving, caring Bunny Mommy! Don't think for one second that you are not. Mega hugs coming your way!