Putting my boy to sleep....

Laurajo_2

Hi all,

My rabbit, bandit, is eight years old. He was born with slightly splayed front paws, which is apparently fairly common.

As he's got older, the condition has worsened and now his front paws are like flippers. We've been to the vets and he's been given metacam, however over the last few weeks his condition has deteriorated to the extent that he is not able to move round his cage well and keeps flipping over as he trips over his front paws. His front paws are also looking sore as he keeps sitting/standing on them, he's lost most of the fur on them.

He is ok when he is snuggling on the sofa with us (he's a house rabbit, we get him on the sofa for cuddles when we're in - he used to have the run of the lounge but just kept falling over) but I just feel like he's in great discomfort, he's struggling to clean himself and even navigating to his water bowl is an ordeal which usually leaves him soaked.

I think the time has come to say goodbye, and my heart is breaking. I don't want him to spend his last few hours scared after a car journey in a strange-smelling place at the vets, do you think they would come here to put him to sleep? I think it would be some comfort if he could die in his own home, where he feels safe.

DH and I are beyond devastated, this will sound terrible but every time we have him out we are both hoping that he will just pass away peacefully with us there and take this awful awful decision away from us.

Katiehound

Oh, sorry to hear about your furry.

The vet will certainly come out to pts a dog so I wouldn't think it was any different for your rabbit. The charges do go up quite a bit, so don't do it over the weekend because that would bump it up a lot methinks. Phone the vet and ask the cost.
Another way might be to ask for a sedative to give before leaving home? I don't know how practical that would be for a rabbit.

No, I don't think you would want a long lingering death, the kindest thing you can do for your much loved pet is to let him go without pain. As caring pet owners we have that responsibility and the ability to do it.

I know how devastating it can be....had to do the deed with my old dog last month. Tears and tears.

Take care

spidercrab

Hi Laurajo - sorry to hear about Bandit. It does sound like you will need to make a decision soon. A word of warning though. My sister called the vet out to have her dog put to sleep and the callout alone was over £100. Would Bandit really find it too distressing being in the car? That said, I know I would do all I could to take away any stress. Good luck!

rising_from_the_ashes

So sorry you're having to make 'the' decision

I would absolutely say at home is the best option - there is no stress with the journey / being at the vets & the animal is in a familiar place surrounded by their own things / people xx

Froglet

Of all the animals i have had to have put to sleep whether because of old age or illness,the only time i have felt really guilty and upset was when one died first,before i could make that decision.

You know you are preventing further suffering when you take them on that final journey.With an uncontrolled death you will always worry that you could and should have prevented any pain before that happened.

Like the others say,it is our responsibilty to make sure they don't suffer.And yes of course it hurts,but better we suffer than they do.

Laurajo_2

Thank you, all.

I think we're decided that when he does pass on, it will be at home, regardless of the cost.
He does find being in the car very stressful, and although I'm probably projecting my own feelings onto him, I really do want him to die in 'his' place.

He's been sat on my chest grooming my cheek for the past hour. Thank you for your kind words, I know it is the kindest thing to do and an act of love, but it is still very hard knowing he's down to his last few days.

meritaten

laurajo - if you can bear the cost, then of course ask the vet for a 'home visit'.
it is one of the hardest decisions you will ever have to make. I have had to do it three times, and each time I know I have waited too long. the last time I made a solemn promise on behalf of my past pets that if I had to do it again - its better a week too early than a day too late.
so do it sooner rather later, when you will be consumed with guilt afterwards. make the decision, phone the vet and book the visit. then make the most of the next day or two.
my heart goes out to you.

and I too hated that final 'journey' to the vets. and no matter the cost - it will be here at home.

bugslet

Just wanted to say good luck laurajo. I think he has had a lovely life with you and it sounds as though now is the time.

Laurajo_2

Thanks all. Vet came out yesterday, and it's done. We were stroking him as he passed and made a big fuss of him during his last few days. Vet was great, really compassionate and reassured us we were doing the right thing.

DH and I are both devastated, but it is a relief that he isn't suffering anymore and we feel that we gave him the best death possible. I am very glad we did it at home, in his favourite spot on the sofa, and tbh, I would've paid a heck of a lot more than they charged.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

RuthnJasper

Laurajo wrote: »

Thanks all. Vet came out yesterday, and it's done. We were stroking him as he passed and made a big fuss of him during his last few days. Vet was great, really compassionate and reassured us we were doing the right thing.

DH and I are both devastated, but it is a relief that he isn't suffering anymore and we feel that we gave him the best death possible. I am very glad we did it at home, in his favourite spot on the sofa, and tbh, I would've paid a heck of a lot more than they charged.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

You're right - as wretched as it is, you did exactly the right thing. It was an act of kindness and the greatest act of love in your little man's situation. The final moments of his life will have been pain-free and relaxed as he left behind the old and tired case that used to carry him about and moved on to the next place.

I had to make this decision for my beloved Jasper. It's awful, but the knowledge that you have set a suffering one free is some small comfort.

Every good wish to you and your DH. xx

Katiehound

Sorry to read the news.
I know it is devastating for you both but you did absolutely the right thing: he'd had a good life with you and you gave him a calm, peaceful ending in a place he obviously loved.
Take care and be nice to yourselves. Remember all the good times and the funny traits he had and tell yourselves, rightly, that you were great, caring owners.