Seagazer Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 I posted the other day in the Rabbit section but got no replies My son's rabbit AJ has had a limp, we took him to the vets last Thursday and the vet thought he might have sprained it. He'd also lost a bit of weight. Gave him two injections and told us to bring him back after the weekend if no better. Monday night he seemed to be toppling over as if losing control of his back legs. Tuesday morning when I let the girls out I found him lying in a pool of wee and poo. He couldn't move his legs at all. We took him to the vet straight away. Different vet this time, he said he thinks its Encephalitozoon cuniculi. I've googled it and its a parasite (yuk) that I think he must have had since we got him. It can lay dormant in their organs. It comes from the infected urine of another rabbit. We only have one. It looks like he will remain paralysed. The treatment gets rid of the parasite but cannot do anything about the damage. He lost more weight when we went on Tuesday, he's eating and drinking. We had blood tests done, they show kidney damage and an infection. I don't know what to do. He can't move much to go to toilet so is laying in it. I've put sawdust and paper and hay everywhere to try to protect him but I'm worried about fly strike etc. Me, hubby and YS off on holiday tomorrow afternoon. My daughter and other son will be looking after the pets. Its such a lot to put on them. Has anyone ever had a semi paralysed rabbit? How do you manage with them? Is it fair on him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Aw bless, poor bunny. I have no experience of this, but I guess the vet would have indicated if they thought it was a lost cause? Is the rabbit indoors? It might just protect it from fly strike a bit more. Keeping it clean would be the priority I suppose. I am sure you are doing all you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted August 20, 2008 Author Share Posted August 20, 2008 Thanks AnnieP - we are trying as much as we can. Unfortunately I recently got rid of his indoor hutch as I was going to bring him back indoors. When I was at the vets yesterday I had my YS with me and I think the vet was trying not to upset him. He did say that the treatment he is on is the only thing they can do and the prognosis is not good. But when he phoned to tell me the results of the blood test he was talking about how he could refer us to a specialist. I suppose really I think that the only fair thing is to let AJ go, its just really hard as we are away tomorrow. I know my daughter will be very upset to have to make any decisions over him. My mum is looking after my dog and she said she will come round to check on the other pets. She also said she would take AJ in if she felt he needed to be put to sleep. But on the website I found someone had a rabbit that lived on for a few more years. I just don't know if I could cope with it all. I'm very confused. He's not in any pain but I am very worried about the weight loss (he went from 2.17 to 1.97 in four days). Sorry I think I just needed to talk it through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Hello, heartless here, I think I would make the difficult decision and let him go. People might slate me for it but here's why: Quality of life is everything for me, a rabbit should be out hopping about, grazing and doing other rabbity things which he won't be able to I know I would find it so hard to look at him every day without feeling terribly guilty and sad and I couldn't cope with having a pet like that Yes he may live on for a few years without pain, but it can't be much fun lying in his own wee and poo I just don't think it's a good way for him to live. You've probably already gone on holiday so may have already made your own decision and which ever way you've gone then good on you. The vet may not have talked about putting him to sleep as he may have got the indication from you that you were not keen, maybe he felt you wanted him to persist with it. Maybe ask him what he would do if it was his rabbit, that's what I asked with one of my cats when I needed some reassurance to make the decision. Anyway, have a nice holiday and hope you find a way to resolve in a way you are happy with. Poor little bun Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Sorry I have had rabbits in the past as a child but have never heard of this so I am no help to you, but I wanted to say I am thinking of you and your poor son who must be quite worried right now. Be strong little bunny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted August 21, 2008 Author Share Posted August 21, 2008 Hello everyone, Thanks for the replies. When I checked on AJ this morning (6.30 am) he had not moved. I gave him some water and hubby and I decided that we would take him to the vets. Hubby, YS and I decided that the kindest thing for AJ was for him to be put to sleep, which the vet agreed was the only course of action. Thanks for all the kind words, we are heartbroken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 so sorry to hear this, you know I know how you feel seagazer, so am sending you all a huge hug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 So sorry to hear about poor AJ. You did absolutely the right thing. Big hugs to you. Hope you can all have a great holiday. At least you won't have to worry about him now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 Sorry to hear about poor AJ. It is always hard to make this decision but you have done the right thing. <>. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 SO sorry to hear about AJ but agree with others this is the best and only thing you could really have done. Try to enjoy your holiday knowing he is more peaceful now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 I'm sorry, I hope you and the children are ok. Just try to remember the good times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 I've only just read this thread and I'm sorry you've had to make such a difficult decision but it is most certainly the right one. You had no way of knowing for sure if AJ was in any pain or not but it's no existence for a bun or any animal come to that. Heartbreaking I know but the fact that you let him go proves how much you cared. xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted September 1, 2008 Author Share Posted September 1, 2008 Thanks for all the replies and the hugs. I think it helped Jack that we went away as it gave him something else to focus on and helped take his mind off AJ. Trouble is now he just thinks our vets are pants as they didn't save AJ or Sally. Hopefully as he grows older he'll realise that it was the kindest thing for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joojoo Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 I've only just seen this thread and wanted to say how sorry I am for your sad loss I hope you managed to have a decent holiday and I'm sure that your son will come to understand that you didn't have any other choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
