Think Rabbits dying, any advice

millysg1 · 8 April 2018 at 1:02PM

So our bunny is 8.5, house rabbit and eats all fresh food but the last few days he hasn!!!8217;t eaten much.

Today he has been dribbling a lot, wet eyes and hiding from us which is very unusual. Breathing fast too. I!!!8217;ve looked this up and it looks like he is on his way out

He is currently hiding under my sons bed, we!!!8217;ve put food under there for him and left him to it as he doesn!!!8217;t seem to want to come out.

Does anyone know anything about rabbits? Should we take him to vets tomorrow if he is still the same? Or will that just over stress him in what might be a pointless trip? It!!!8217;s a half an hour drive each way and he gets very distressed in car rides. Do we take him only if he seems to deteriorate or be in pain etc?

Any advice is welcome is this upsetting time.

Browntoa · 8 April 2018 at 1:04PM

I'd keep it at home and let things take their course.

Stress is likely to be too much on a trip to the vets

Our guinea pig died overnight after similar symptoms

millysg1 · 8 April 2018 at 1:06PM

Browntoa wrote: »

I'd keep it at home and let things take their course.

Stress is likely to be too much on a trip to the vets

Our guinea pig died overnight after similar symptoms

Thank you, that’s what I was thinking but didn’t want to be cruel to him by not seeing the vet and but I do think the trip will be too much.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted · 8 April 2018 at 1:15PM

I disagree.

Animals that are dying suffer. They can suffer for ages before finally succumbing to whatever it is that's killing them - and many things can be treated.

Take him to the vet as a priority - he might die on the way, he might need to be put to sleep to end his pain and distress - or he might need some treatment that would cure him completely. All that's certain is that the animal is suffering now and by doing nothing, that is guaranteed to continue.

You want to do the right thing; I think that risking an 'oh, he's gone' moment when you look in the carrier to either get him treated or allowed to slip away pain free when you get there is the right thing.

millysg1 · 8 April 2018 at 1:28PM

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

I disagree.

Animals that are dying suffer. They can suffer for ages before finally succumbing to whatever it is that's killing them - and many things can be treated.

Take him to the vet as a priority - he might die on the way, he might need to be put to sleep to end his pain and distress - or he might need some treatment that would cure him completely. All that's certain is that the animal is suffering now and by doing nothing, that is guaranteed to continue.

You want to do the right thing; I think that risking an 'oh, he's gone' moment when you look in the carrier to either get him treated or allowed to slip away pain free when you get there is the right thing.

Another very good point. I don!!!8217;t think there isnt much we can do today. But I think we will assess first thing in the morning and call the vets and get their advice on whether to bring him in. I just don!!!8217;t want to cause him increased pain and stress by transporting him.

DD265 · 8 April 2018 at 1:48PM

I would ring your vet for advice today, rather than waiting until tomorrow. Although not in office hours most vets would rather a quick phone call - and they may request you take your rabbit in as an emergency - rather than an animal left to suffer.

I hope that the outcome is either a full recovery or a painless passing.

Browntoa · 8 April 2018 at 2:53PM

You cannot contact a vet out of Hours down here , you are told to ring the emergency vet , then told to take it in

I'd rather my pet died peacefully at home rather than during a stressful journey in a box or cage on the way to the vets unless it is in pain or obvious distress . Rapid shallow breathing is normally a sign of heart failure

Browntoa · 8 April 2018 at 2:57PM

http://www.dummies.com/pets/other-animals/knowing-when-your-rabbit-needs-emergency-treatment/

GwylimT · 8 April 2018 at 3:00PM

Phone the vet today, denying an animal appropriate vet care is cruel.

POPPYOSCAR · 8 April 2018 at 3:02PM

Browntoa wrote: »

You cannot contact a vet out of Hours down here , you are told to ring the emergency vet , then told to take it in

I'd rather my pet died peacefully at home rather than during a stressful journey in a box or cage on the way to the vets unless it is in pain or obvious distress . Rapid shallow breathing is normally a sign of heart failure

I agree with you.

Our dog died a few weeks ago at the age of 17 and 5 months.

She had reached her time, She was not in pain or distress.

She absolutely hated going to the vet and would struggle to get away when we got there.

I did not want her last moments to be like that.

She passed peacefully at home in her own bed within a few hours.

Red-Squirrel_2 · 8 April 2018 at 5:52PM

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

I agree with you.

Our dog died a few weeks ago at the age of 17 and 5 months.

She had reached her time, She was not in pain or distress.

She absolutely hated going to the vet and would struggle to get away when we got there.

I did not want her last moments to be like that.

She passed peacefully at home in her own bed within a few hours.

This rabbit seems to be in significant distress though.

Personally, I'd get the vet to come to the house to PTS asap, no matter what the cost.

Think Rabbits dying, any advice

Comments

Categories

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free