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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Need Your Opinion on Elderly Bunny

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    • BelarusianBunny
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      81 posts Send Private Message

        Hello again,

        I have some more questions about my aged Netherland Dwarf Dima.

        Since the bloodwork came back last summer that Dima has Tyzzer’s Disease, it’s obvious that he does not have it.  I’ve researched the problem (and I guess abused my access to scholarly journal databases!) and I’ve learned there can be false positives during testing.

        After a severe case of head tilt over 2 years ago and a return of a bad case last summer, Dima is 11 years old and well, I think.  He has good weight, he hops very well, likes to explore, makes good pee/droppings and eats well.  He still keeps his coat in impeccable condition!

        He has issues falling over which originally were thought to be seizures.  Seizures have been ruled out and the general consensus is that he suffers from vertigo attacks.

        Anyways, the point of this post is that I took Dima back to the vet because it seems like his snuffles (he’s kept away from the other bunny with snuffles; Dima had problems before the bunny arrived) is back.  The vet gave me some oral Baytril and Baytril ear drops to use.  Ear drops for “every day use” and oral if things are really bad.  The Baytril didn’t work at all.

        Now, this is really strange.  Dima’s sneezing and nasal gurgles are bad at night time.  During the day, he is fine.  He doesn’t sneeze nor does he gurgle.  However, around 10 pm and overnight, he has snuffles symptoms.  The vet thought I was crazy but he said if the sneezing/gurgling has been going on for a month now it may just be chronic.  Something to deal with that antibiotics are not going to help.  Especially with an aged bunny, immune systems are not what they used to be.  So, he offered all the Baytril refills under the moon if I need “to keep things under control” but the snuffles will probably not go away.  What do you guys think about this?  Even if a rabbit is happy otherwise, is it inhumane to let him live this way? Are there natural remedies or helpers to relieve symptoms if not the bacteria?

        Secondly, I asked about Dima falling over.  Dima used to fall over every day in the summer and subsequent months.  However, in the autumn and now, he seems somewhat better.  The vet suggested I use gingko biloba and it worked for the longest time.  Dima also gets some Metacam for inflammation.  Anyways, Dima can go for 2 weeks without falling.  Then, he will fall.  Go two days without falling and then fall.  Usually, it is one fall.  However, on a day like today, he managed two falls.  The vet said these are not seizures because he just “falls down” like loses balance.  There are no neurological signs.  At the same previously mentioned vet appointment, I asked the vet about the use of meclizine in rabbits with vertigo.  He said that it doesn’t work for every rabbit so we’ll skip it.  The vet believes that Dima’s vertigo is not caused by any infections but rather he has damage to his central nervous system and equilibrium.  Nothing will fix that and we have to live with it.  Is this plausible?  What do you guys think?

        Thanks for all your help and any thoughts you’d like to share.  


      • Sarita
        Participant
        18851 posts Send Private Message

          It could be plausible what your vet is saying.

          I imagine that the sneezing and snuffling at night is because he is at rest – kind of like snoring – you only snore when you sleep.

          I think that you have to make a determination on your own whether Dima has a good quality of life too. These decisions are so hard. I think if you feel for now you can control the symptoms and are willing to and Dima seems to feel well then it would be fine to continue – you have nothing to lose at this point either.

          I will tell you my experiences with my past senior rabbits (11 and 12) and my current senior (12) and making decisions based on quality of life. I have always felt that I would rather make the decision sooner rather than later to let them go – I think our rabbits live in the moment and aren’t thinking of the future. It’s not easy to know exactly how they feel (we can only imagine based on the symptoms they have and how we might feel) and knowing that there is not a chance that they will fully recover. Making the decision is hard but in a way I look at it as a gift to be able to help my animals pass humanely when the time is right. It’s a sad thing but not a bad thing. Not that I think that your Dima is there yet but it’s something for you to realize that being a compassionate owner allows you to make this important decision and not feel bad or guilty :~)


        • BelarusianBunny
          Participant
          81 posts Send Private Message

            Hi Sarita and thank you for your thoughtful message.

            I very much agree with you about making these kinds of decisions sooner rather than later. We owe it to our rabbit companions to not let them feel miserable for all the goodness they have given us. I can say that we have discussed a plan when Dima seems like he isn’t enjoying life anymore. At this point, since he can play, has an appetite like a monster and his symptoms are not debilitating, we’ll do what we can to help him. This morning for his “breakfast snack” he reared and spun in circles in excitement.


          • Sarita
            Participant
            18851 posts Send Private Message

              I’m glad Dima is doing well :~) I can tell you are a thoughtful and loving owner.


            • Linette
              Participant
              114 posts Send Private Message

                Big hugs. I agree with the others, only you, knowing him so long and loving him so well can tell whether his quality of life is worth whatever complications etc he is experiencing.

                I do think that sometimes our emotions both for the buns and even how WE will be perceived color our view.

                I think there is a point at which it is best to let them go, and the means by which we make that decision are not the same as they are for a person. I say this because I have heard angry, judgmental tirades from well meaning pet owners who think that we should and must do the same for our animals as we would do for our children. But a rabbit may well get to a point where several meds a day, and pain and confusion are not worth us keeping them around for our intellectual or emotional benefit. We do everything they can for their well being, and sometimes “everything” IS saying, enough. You have lived a long and good life my friend.

                An animal in confusion, pain and who cannot go about the routines that are their life is doomed to boredom and fear. Most animals, when ill do not expect to get better, they don’t have that hope in front of them the way a person might. They only know they are ill, hurt and scared. If there is no true relief in sight, I do think putting them down is the most loving thing we can do.

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            Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Need Your Opinion on Elderly Bunny