In This Chapter
- Treating infections in rabbits
- Looking out for special needs and geriatric rabbits
- Knowing when to say goodbye
- Bringing home a new bundle of fur
Rabbit rescue groups are filled
with folks who care for rabbits with a whole range of health problems — whether
from an injury, illness, a chronic condition, or aging. Their stories are
plentiful and inspirational, and this chapter looks at the challenges and joys
associated with caring for a special needs or disabled bunny.
When your rabbit is ready to pass
on, you may suddenly have to make an incredibly difficult decision. Whether to
keep your rabbit alive or euthanize your pet to spare her more suffering is one
of the hardest decisions you will ever have to make. Whether their death is
untimely or the result of old age, letting go of your rabbit so that you can go
on to love again in their memory is important.
Treating Infectious Diseases
The best defense against all
diseases is a good, healthy immune system. Help your rabbit achieve this state
of health with the proper environment (Chapter Shacking
Up with an Indoor Rabbit) and diet (Chapter Stocking
Up on Carrots).
This section talks about some of
the diseases that can be transmitted from rabbit to rabbit. Several
microorganisms (germs) can cause these diseases, which vary in severity and how
well they respond to treatment:
- Bacteria: One-celled microorganisms that can often be killed with antibiotics.
- Protozoa: A single-celled microorganism that’s the smallest form of animal life. The treatment for protozoal infections depends on what tissue in the rabbit’s body they’ve invaded. Some tissues can be easily medicated, while others are nearly impossible to treat.
- Fungi: A multicellular organism that reproduces by budding or by spore production. Several kinds of medications treat fungal infections.
Warning!
If your rabbit is diagnosed with an infectious disease, or you suspect that he may have one, be sure to
- Isolate him immediately from other rabbits.
- Disinfect everything with a solution that’s nine parts water and one part bleach (especially before another rabbit uses his cage, food bowl, or other items).
Respiratory infections
Technical Stuff
Rabbits can develop several different respiratory diseases that can affect the upper respiratory tract (nose, sinuses, trachea) and the lower respiratory tract (lower airways and lungs). The common term for upper respiratory infections is snuffle, which a number of different organisms can cause. Conditions that make a rabbit more susceptible include a dirty environment, particularly one that’s wet, poor air circulation, and high humidity or heat. Many types of bacteria can cause respiratory disease in rabbits, but the two most common are Bordetella bronchiseptica and Pasteurella multocid, which may share symptoms. Rabbits may also develop other problems, such as heart disease or chest tumors, that can mimic some respiratory disease signs. The appearance of any of the following symptoms is a good reason to see a vet, who will want to perform tests to find out the organism involved and the level of seriousness:
- Sneezing and nasal discharge
- Matted fur on inside of the front legs (from wiping nasal discharge)
- Labored breathing
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Head tilt or head shaking
Bordetellosis
The Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria
causes a condition known as kennel cough in dogs, but can also affect
rabbits. It’s transmitted through the air. The incidence of infection with this
bacteria increases as the rabbit ages. Not only can this bacteria cause its own
damage to the air passageways, including irritation to the nasal passages,
bronchi, and lungs (pneumonia), but it can make it easier for other bacteria,
such as Pasteurella multocida, to take hold.
Warning!
Rabbits displaying signs of respiratory disease should get veterinary attention as soon as possible. Your vet may do a culture to determine the cause of the infection and a chest X-ray to see the extent of disease. Because bordetellosis is a highly contagious disease, your pet should be isolated from other rabbits. Guinea pigs in particular are susceptible to developing pneumonia from infections with Bordetella, so don’t house them with rabbits. Also, if your pet dog is diagnosed with kennel cough, keep him far away from your bunnies until he’s healed.
Pasteurellosis
Pasteurella multocida is a
bacteria found in the respiratory tract of many rabbits without any outward
signs. There are many strains, some more prone to cause disease than others. In
addition, this bacteria can take hold if the environmental conditions are poor
or the rabbit’s immune system is compromised. Usually it causes upper
respiratory disease (infecting the nose, trachea, and bronchi), but it can
on occasion cause ear infections, pneumonia, and abscesses in any area of the
body. Like Bordetella, it’s transmitted primarily by direct contact with
infected objects and through the air when an infected rabbit coughs or sneezes.
Warning!
Rabbits transmit the Pasteurella bacteria to each other via sneezing or direct contact, so keep affected rabbits away from the healthy ones. If you see your rabbit sneezing or coughing, contact your vet right away. As with bordetellosis, your vet may do a culture to determine the cause of the disease and an X-ray to determine its extent before devising a treatment plan.
Ringworm
Ringworm is the common
name for a disease caused by one of several fungi that can affect rabbits,
people, cats, dogs, horses, and other animals. The disease is also known as dermatophytosis.
Ringworm isn’t a common disease in rabbits, but it can occur in young
rabbits or those exposed to other animals with the disease. The disease is
transmitted by contact with the fungi’s spores, which can travel through the
air and stay active in the environment for long periods. The common signs are
- Dry, crusty skin
- Itchiness
- Fur loss in a circular patches, usually on the head, feet, and legs
Some rabbits can recover from
ringworm on their own, but the fungus stays in the environment to infect other
rabbits, other pets, and even people. After your veterinary makes the
diagnosis, your pet may be treated with both topical and oral medications, and
you need to clean the environment thoroughly.
Tip
Disinfecting the rabbit’s environment — cleaning the cage with a diluted bleach and water solution to remove hair and dander that may contain spores — is important, especially if your rabbit has ringworm.
Myxomatosis
Technical Stuff
Myxomatosis is a disease caused by several strains of poxvirus. Insects serve as transmitters. This virus was spread intentionally in Europe during the 19th century to destroy large rabbit populations, which were considered vermin at the time.
The disease still exists in
Europe today in both wild and domestic rabbits. In its most severe form,
myxomatosis can be fatal. The United States tends to see a milder form of the
disease, particularly along the California and Oregon coast. It’s suspected
that mosquitoes are the carriers in those areas. The version of myxomatosis
seen most often in both wild and domestic rabbits in the United States is the
appearance of skin tumors, particularly on the extremities. Occasionally,
though, the more severe form can also be seen. The symptoms to look for are
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Discharge from eyes
- Swollen, red genitals
- Red, swollen, and watery eyes
- Facial swelling (occurs last)
Tip
A variety of different insects can transmit the disease. If you live in an area of Europe where the disease is found in wild rabbits, keep your pet rabbit indoors. If you live in a high-risk area, ask your veterinarian about the possibility of vaccinating your pet.
Warning!
If your rabbit shows any signs of the disease, contact your veterinarian immediately. If your vet makes a diagnosis of myxomatosis, your vet will give your rabbit appropriate supportive care (primarily intravenous feeding and fluids) in the hopes that the bunny can fight off the virus on its own; in some cases, euthanasia may be recommended to prevent suffering and further spread of the disease.
Tyzzer’s disease
Warning!
A bacteria called Clostridium piliforme causes Tyzzer’s disease. Depression and profuse, watery diarrhea are symptoms of Tyzzer’s. This disease can be fatal, particularly in rabbits that were recently weaned. Older rabbits with this illness may develop a chronic wasting disease, where the rabbit refuses to eat and slowly wastes away.
A low-fiber, high-carbohydrate
diet, along with poor hygiene and stress, can predispose a rabbit to Tyzzer’s
disease. If your rabbit shows signs of depression and diarrhea, take him to a
veterinarian right away. The most important part of treatment is a high-fiber,
low-carbohydrate diet.
Venereal disease
A venereal disease is one
spread through sexual contact. Rabbits develop a form of syphilis caused by a
bacteria, but it’s not the same disease as seen in humans.
Rabbits transmit syphilis through
breeding (another good reason to spay and neuter; see Chapter Nipping
Common Health Problems in the Bud). If you do
have a good reason to breed your rabbit, you need to take precautions to keep
your rabbit from contracting syphilis: Inspect the genitals, lips, nose, chin,
and eyelids of the rabbit with which you intend to breed your pet. Although an
inspection won’t guarantee that your rabbit won’t come into contact with the
disease, it certainly reduces your rabbit’s chances.
Warning!
Affected rabbits develop crusty sores on their genitals, lips, nose, chin, and eyelids. If your rabbit has been bred and develops these symptoms, contact your vet right away. Antibiotic treatment is recommended and usually works quickly to clear up the problem.
Viral hemorrhagic disease
In 2000, the first case of Viral
Hemorrhagic Disease (VHD) was diagnosed in rabbits in the United States.
Since then, this deadly disease has been recorded in several areas of the
country, prompting great fear among rabbit owners and breeders.
Technical Stuff
Caused by a calici virus, VHD affects 70 to 80 percent of rabbits exposed to it, and in rabbits that develop signs of the disease, it’s 100 percent fatal. Oral contact with contaminated feces transmits the disease. VHD is also known as Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD), Rabbit Calicivirus (RCV), and Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD).
VHD affects major organs and
causes severe hemorrhaging. The virus has a short incubation period (the
amount of time an organism needs to become numerous enough to cause disease),
and rabbits often die within a few days of exposure to the disease. The
symptoms of VHD can include
- High fever
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Spasms
- Spontaneous bleeding from the mouth or rectum
- Sudden death
Warning!
VHD is an insidious disease with no cure. However, a vaccine is available in areas of the world where the disease is endemic. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is keeping close watch on the spread of VHD. If your rabbit shows VHD symptoms, rush him to a veterinarian immediately. Because VHD is a reportable disease, your veterinarian will contact the USDA.
The best prevention is to
- Keep your rabbit from coming into contact with other groups of domestic rabbits. (Keep a new rabbit separated for at least 30 days to ensure that he’s healthy before you expose him to your other rabbits.)
- Avoid using grooming tools, cages, and other objects that strange rabbits have used.
- Wash your hands and clothes after handling rabbits at a show, shelter, or rabbitry.
The good news is that because
death occurs so soon after the onset of the disease, rabbit owners are thus
immediately alerted to its presence. If action is taken right away, then you
can at least minimize the spread of the disease between rabbitries.
Encephalitozoon cuniculi
A protozoan parasite, Encephalitozoon
cuniculi (E. cuniculi) can cause a host of health problems in rabbits,
among them kidney failure and liver failure, head tilt, loss of function in the
legs, as well as other neurological problems. The parasite forms spores that
are shed in urine, which the rabbit then inhales or ingests. Once inside, E.
cuniculi travels through the body, affecting the kidney and other organs.
E. cuniculi is diagnosed
by a blood test. Although a large number of rabbits throughout the United
States test positive at some time during their life, few show signs of illness.
(Those rabbits who do are typically ones whose health is already compromised.)
1 Caring for Disabled and Special
Needs Rabbits
There’s no getting around the
fact that caring for a special needs or disabled rabbit is a big commitment,
but one with big rewards. Whether your rabbit has become disabled from age or
illness, you love him all the same. But it’s worth preparing yourself for the
time, effort, and emotional commitment necessary to care for a rabbit with
special needs. Every situation is different, so only you can evaluate yours;
living with a partially paralyzed bunny is not the same as living with a bunny
with dental issues that needs a special diet. Consider the following:
- Do you or someone in your family have the time to care for your disabled bunny?
- Is your rabbit in pain? Is she eating? Keep in mind that you’ve made this commitment for your rabbit and not yourself. Be realistic about what is best for your rabbit.
Antibiotics are anti-bunny?
Antibiotics are one reason
taking your bunny to a veterinarian who specializes in rabbits is so important.
Some antibiotics commonly given to dogs and cats (like oral amoxicillin) can
be fatal for rabbits. These drugs can kill off the healthy bacteria in a
rabbit’s GI tract as well as the bacteria causing disease. This disruption
can lead to enteritis. However, many safe antibiotics can be used in rabbits
orally, topically (on the skin), or by injection. An experienced
veterinarian will know which type is safe to use.
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Those that have made the choice
to care for a special needs or disabled bunny will have to make certain
modifications:
- Home renovation: If you’re using a cage as part of your housing arrangement, think about getting rid of it altogether so that it’s easier for your rabbit to move around.
- Bedtime: Be sure your rabbit has a comfortable bed that he can access. Add some layers of blankets or soft towels to make his bed extra plush and cozy.
- Bunny business: Make sure that your rabbit can still get into his litter box. If the sides are too high, consider cutting out an entrance on one side. If a litter box is out of the question, consider absorbent “puppy pads” or going the route of diapers; many caretakers find diapers can be useful. (Look for Web sites that offer advice on taking this approach.)
- Sitting pretty: Some disabled rabbits may have trouble keeping up with grooming. Lend a hand with extra brushing and take care to ensure that her hind end stays clean and tidy. (See Chapter Cleaning Behind Those Great Big Ears and More for more on the right way to groom and bathe a bunny.)
- Pedicure time: Keep up with your rabbit’s nail clipping, and be sure that no sores have developed on the bottoms of your bun’s feet.
- Nourishment needs: A special needs rabbit may require extra help with eating; some may even need the addition of a high-fiber liquid hay supplement, such as Critical Care, or syringe feeding. Monitor the amount of liquid your rabbit is taking in to be sure that he’s properly hydrated.
- Comfort level: Keep a careful eye on your rabbit’s comfort (see Chapter Nipping Common Health Problems in the Bud) to be sure that he’s not in pain.
- Keeping company: A calm, older rabbit may provide an extra dose of what your special bunny needs: companionship and affection.
- Support: Ask for help from friends and family when you need it; check out some of the online support groups.
Taking an alternative approach to treatment
More and more people are
turning to alternative healthcare for themselves, and some believe such
approaches can work equally well for rabbits. Though your vet may not be
familiar with acupuncture and acupressure, chiropractic care, and herbal
remedies, these treatments may complement conventional veterinary medicine. Many
of these holistic approaches are reported to have few side effects. However, consult
with your vet before embarking along an alternative path to treatment.
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Helping Bunny Live to a Ripe, Old Age
With the right care, your rabbit
can live to be 10 years of age or even older. And of course, the better the
care is that you give to your pet, the healthier he’ll be in his old age. (See
the rest of Part II for information on how to provide the best basic care for
your pet.)
However, rabbits, just like
people, start to develop some problems as they age. If you have a senior bunny
in the house, watch out in particular for signs of the following:
- Kidney disease: Though not exclusively a problem associated with age, kidney disease occurs most often in older rabbits. Symptoms include weight loss, excessive water consumption, and excessive amounts of urine. (See Chapter Nipping Common Health Problems in the Bud for more information.)
- Arthritis: Your older rabbit may develop arthritis, which can make it difficult to hop around and get onto his favorite spot on your Lazy Boy. Speak with your veterinarian to see whether medication to fight inflammation and pain is warranted.
- Sore hocks: Older buns, especially those who are obese or less mobile, are prone to calluses, sores, or even abscesses on their hocks (see Chapter Nipping Common Health Problems in the Bud).
- Hind leg weakness: An older rabbit may experience weakness in his legs, which can make getting up from a seated or reclining position more difficult.
- Dental disease: Dental disease includes incisor and/or molar malocclusion, tooth root abnormalities, and abscesses. (For more on abscesses and dental problems, see Chapter Nipping Common Health Problems in the Bud.)
- Blindness: Loss of vision can be caused by a number of reasons. Cataracts, for example, are a natural sign of aging, but glaucoma is a painful condition that should be treated. A veterinary exam is in order if you suspect changes in your rabbit’s eyesight.
- Deafness: Many rabbit folks report loss of hearing in older rabbits. A deaf bunny needs no special care, but she will appreciate it if you approach her in a way that she can see you at a distance first so that she isn’t startled.
- Cancer: Cancer can strike at any age, and older rabbits are not immune to this often devastating diagnosis. Aside from the preventable uterine cancer (see Chapter Nipping Common Health Problems in the Bud), rabbits fall victim to a number of other cancers, including lymphoma, which can develop anywhere in the body. Early detection, along with options that include surgery and chemotherapy, is critical.
Tip
Making some adaptations to his environment can make life easier for your older bunny:
- Be especially careful to give him a good, healthy diet (see Chapter Stocking Up on Carrots).
- Cut down the side of his litter box to give him easier access.
- Lower his hay rack and water bottle.
- Provide him with plenty of soft places to sit; monitor hocks for calluses and see your veterinarian if hocks develop open wounds.
- Provide him with nonskid surfaces (carpet, sheepskin) to help him if he has trouble getting up.
- Make necessary modifications to make sure that your older rabbit is warm enough.
- Protect your blind or sight-impaired rabbit by keeping him in a safe living area.
- Reduce stress in his environment as much as you can.
Saying Goodbye
The hardest part of having a
rabbit in your life is saying goodbye when your pet’s final moment comes.
Rabbits have a way of hopping into your heart and then you feel a tremendous
sense of loss when you no longer have your bunny to hug and hold.
If you’re lucky, your beloved
rabbit will live to a ripe old age and won’t leave until it’s truly her time to
go. However, illness or injury may take a rabbit away from her human companions
prematurely. If your rabbit is ill and struggling with illness and/or
incapacity, you may be forced to consider euthanizing your rabbit. If so, then
consider the following:
- Find out more about what euthanasia is and what it involves.
- Consider your rabbit’s quality of life.
- Talk with your vet.
Letting go: Euthanasia
Technical Stuff
Understanding exactly what euthanasia is can help you decide whether to take this route with your pet. Basically, euthanasia is the humane process of taking an animal’s life. Veterinarians use a barbiturate (a drug that depresses the nervous system), which they inject in large quantities into a rabbit’s bloodstream.
The drug ceases brain function
almost immediately; thus, the rabbit loses consciousness, stops breathing, and
her heartbeat ceases.
If you ever had a dog or cat
euthanized, it may be helpful to know that the process is somewhat different
for rabbits. For dogs and cats, a catheter (a needle that can be
attached to a tube or syringe) is usually placed in the animal’s vein while the
dog or cat is still awake. The euthanasia solution is then administered. For
rabbits and other small exotic pets, the catheter can’t be placed unless the
animal is heavily sedated. In rabbits that are sick or small, it can be
difficult to place the catheter at all.
For this reason, veterinarians
opt to sedate the rabbit first with a small injection in the muscle or with an inhalant
anesthesia (an inhaled gas that sedates the rabbit). When the pet is no
longer conscious, the euthanasia solution is administered via another
injection. If the animal is sick or small, injecting the solution into the vein
may not be possible. In these cases, the injection may have to be given directly
into the heart or abdomen.
Remember
Although the thought of euthanasia can be upsetting, remember that the rabbit is already sedated and therefore can’t feel anything. The rabbit isn’t even aware of the injection. Rabbits feel no pain during the euthanasia process. From what scientists now know, rabbits don’t experience fear when they’re slipping away either, but instead, just a quiet sense of falling into a deep sleep.
If you find yourself in the
position of asking a veterinarian to euthanize your rabbit, you can ask for
sedation if the vet doesn’t normally provide it. The sedative reduces any fear
that your rabbit may have of being handled by the veterinarian and will result
in a more peaceful euthanizing process.
Tip
Some people prefer the option of having their pet euthanized at home, particularly if it’s difficult for them or their pet to travel. Check with your veterinarian to see whether he offers an at-home euthanasia service or call a veterinarian who specializes in house-call service.
Considering her quality of life
If you find yourself struggling
with this difficult decision, remember that euthanasia can be a great gift to a
rabbit who is suffering and beyond help. Without you to make the decision to
let your rabbit go painlessly, your rabbit would suffer needlessly.
Think about your rabbit’s quality
of life and whether it’s fair to keep her alive in her condition. Do you think
that she’d welcome a peaceful, quiet death?
Tip
Consider the following questions to help determine your rabbit’s quality of life:
- Is she able to move around comfortably?
- Does she still enjoy eating?
- Can she comfortably relieve herself?
- Does she respond to you when you try to interact with her, or does she seem tired or withdrawn?
- Can she still take part in the activities that she enjoys?
- Does she experience more pleasure than pain in her life?
If your answer is no to a number
of these questions, you have to come to terms with the fact that your bunny’s
quality of life isn’t what it used to be.
Warning!
Making the decision to euthanize a pet is extremely difficult. After you do, you’ll probably experience all kinds of unpleasant emotions and plenty of doubt, too. You can read more about emotions and how to deal with them in the “Grieving is Good for You” section, later in this chapter. Most people aren’t often in the position of making life and death decisions and having to decide to have their rabbit euthanized.
Asking a pro
When it comes to making a
decision about whether to put down your ailing rabbit, your veterinarian is a
valuable resource. She can give you a good idea of how much pain your rabbit is
experiencing and what the likelihood of curing or managing your rabbit’s
condition may be. After hearing your vet’s opinion, you’re then able to make an
educated decision about how to handle your pet’s future.
If you’re uncertain about the
medical aspects of the decision, getting a second opinion from another
veterinarian is also helpful. You can get a second opinion from a vet in the
same practice or in another clinic.
Should you stay?
When you make the decision to
euthanize your rabbit (whether you take him to the vet or the vet comes to
your home), your vet may ask you whether you’d like to stay with your pet
during the process. Choosing whether to be with your pet in her final hour is
a personal decision, and one that only you can make. If your rabbit is sedated
(which is highly recommended), your bunny won’t even know that you’re
present.
However, being at your pet’s
side at his final moment may provide you with comfort. However, if you feel
that you can’t handle being present when your rabbit dies, you aren’t
obligated to stay nor do you need to feel guilty about leaving the room.
Remembering to take care of your own feelings is important when you’re in this
situation. Do what feels right for you.
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Remember
The decision is ultimately yours; do whatever makes you the most comfortable in the long run. Don’t let anyone push you into a decision that you don’t feel right about or that you aren’t ready to make. Take a few days to think it over before you decide. Don’t feel that you have to make a rush to judgment. If your pet is uncomfortable, ask your vet for suggestions on how to make her more comfortable, including using pain medication.
In the event that your decision
needs to be made immediately, take a few minutes to sit by yourself and think
about the situation or talk to a supportive loved one or friend. Feeling right
about your decision is important, even if it has to be made sooner than you’d
like.
Finding a place of rest
Tip
Everyone has different feelings about how to handle the remains of their beloved rabbit. Planning what you’ll do with your pet’s remains well in advance is a good idea so that you don’t have to make this sometimes difficult decision when you’re feeling badly about just having lost your pet.
You have several options when it
comes to dealing with your bunny’s remains:
- Individual burial: You probably heard of pet cemeteries and may have even seen one as you’re driving. For a fee of several hundred dollars, your bunny may be interred at a pet cemetery. A headstone or grave marker is usually included in the fee. By giving your pet a marked grave, you can visit your bunny whenever you like.
- Communal burial: Most pet cemeteries provide the option of a communal burial, which is more affordable. With this method, your rabbit is interred with other pets (sometimes cremated) at the pet cemetery in an unmarked grave.
- Individual cremation: Some rabbit owners choose the option of individual cremation. Then they place their bunny’s cremated remains in a container for burial or in an urn that they keep at home. Keeping your pet’s ashes at home is less expensive than a burial.
- Group cremation: For a lesser fee, your rabbit may be cremated with other deceased pets and buried in a communal grave at the cemetery.
- Disposal by a veterinarian: All vets offer to dispose of your pet’s body after euthanasia. Depending on the clinic, group cremation or other means of disposal are used.
- Burial at home: If your county or municipality allows it, you can bury your rabbit at home on your property. Consult your local zoning laws before you take this route to make sure that burying your pet on your own property is legal where you live.
Postmortems
It’s unpleasant to think about
your bunny undergoing a postmortem examination (also known as necropsy,
it’s an internal examination of the organs and tissue performed by a
veterinarian after the rabbit has died). However, if you lose your beloved
rabbit to illness or you don’t know the cause, think about having your vet
perform a postmortem.
The reason for this is simple:
By helping your veterinarian learn about the problem that took your rabbit,
you’re contributing to your veterinarian’s knowledge of rabbit medicine. This
information can help your vet successfully treat other rabbits in the future
and may actually save lives. In addition, if you have other rabbits in the household,
you can find out whether the condition that caused the death puts your other
rabbits at risk. Chapter Playing
Around Isn’t Just for Dogs offers more information about how to deal with a
rabbit’s loss.
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Grieving is good for you
People who haven’t loved and lost
a rabbit are often shocked at how devastated they feel when their bunny dies.
They hadn’t imagined they could feel such grief over an animal. Many people who
have lost pets say that the level of their sadness matches feelings they had
when they lost a family member or loved one. The intense grief that someone may
feel at the loss of a pet doesn’t diminish the value of the beloved family
member but instead makes a rabbit owner realize just how much attachment she
had for her rabbit.
Your thinking processes won’t be
rational while you’re grieving the loss of your pet. If you had your rabbit
euthanized, you may feel as if you did something terrible; if she died
naturally, you may feel as if you let her go. All those who grieve go
through stages.
All of grief is a stage
When you lose someone you love,
whether you lose a loved one or a pet, you experience a number of emotions.
Grieving is a process with several distinct stages:
- Denial: “I can’t believe it.”
- Bargaining: “If I had only done this or that, she’d have lived.”
- Anger: “This is so unfair!”
- Depression: “I’m never going to have a pet again. No more pets.”
- Acceptance: “I did the right thing. It was her time to go, and I loved my rabbit while she was here.”
Remember
These feelings can come in any order, at any time, and can often repeat themselves in a period of an hour, a day, or a week. You may also feel other sentiments. The grieving process is unique to each person and there is no “right” way to grieve. It’s important to
- Understand that these emotions and more are part of the normal grieving process.
- Be aware of why you’re feeling these things.
- Talk to someone who’s sympathetic. The Appendix in this book has grief resources.
- Know that in time, if you allow yourself to go through this process, the intensity of the emotions and pain lessen, and you’ll enjoy life again. Avoiding and ignoring your feelings won’t stop the process, but only delay it and make recovering more difficult.
Finding support
Sometimes, finding a sympathetic
ear when you’re grieving the loss of your pet is difficult. People who don’t
care much for rabbits or who never had a pet tell you to just “Get over it,” or
“Go buy a new one,” or ask you “What’s the big deal?”
Remember
At this time of grieving, try surrounding yourself with other like-minded people who understand what you’re going through. Limit your discussions of sadness over your pet’s loss to friends and family members who can relate to what you’re feeling. Keep in mind that everyone grieves differently. Don’t expect members of your family to act and feel the same way that you do over your rabbit’s death.
Tip
If you can’t find anyone sympathetic to talk to, help is available. Over the past several years, a number of veterinary schools have set up grief counseling hotlines for rabbit lovers and other pet owners who have lost a beloved animal. (See the Appendix for a listing of these hotlines.) Make use of these services and contact other rabbit owner groups. They’ll help you work through the grieving process and help you recover from your loss. Local petloss support groups meet regularly in many areas. Your veterinarian can provide information on local groups.
Bonding with a new bunny
Just after losing your rabbit,
the last thing you want to do is get another. The pain is too strong. You need
time to heal.
Remember
After going through the initial loss, some people find that opening their home to a new rabbit can help with healing. Doing so is scary because it feels like you’re setting yourself up for more pain in the future. However, if you’re ready for this step, providing a good home to a rabbit in need can return your thoughts to the joys of rabbit companionship again. The affection that you shared with your first rabbit was so wonderful, that you’re anxious to feel that warmth again — this time with your new bunny.
If you feel like getting a new
bunny, consider it. If not, don’t feel obligated or pressured to get another
rabbit or any other pet. The decision is purely yours. Your new rabbit won’t be
a replacement of your old pet but a new companion to enjoy. For some people,
giving a home to a rabbit in need is a wonderful way to honor their deceased
pet.
In memory of Fluffy
One way of feeling better after
losing a beloved rabbit is to honor your pet’s memory. You can do this in any
number of ways:
- Make a donation. One of the nicest ways to honor your rabbit’s memory is to make a donation to a rabbit rescue group. You don’t have to make a huge donation. An organization that works hard to provide homes to unwanted bunnies will appreciate the $5 or $10 that you sent. Contact your veterinarian, local animal shelter, or House Rabbit Society (see the Appendix for contact info) to locate a rabbit rescue group in your area. Be sure to include a note with your check, stating that the donation is in honor of your rabbit’s memory. - Discuss your rabbit. A number of Web sites are set up to help grieving pet owners talk about their feelings and honor their pet’s memories with poems, essays, and photos. (See the Appendix and Chapter Ten Ways to Make Your Bunny’s Day.) - Create something. Writing your feelings about your rabbit on paper can help you work through the grief while also honoring your rabbit’s memory. You don’t have to show your words to anyone. They can be just for you and your rabbit, or you can choose to share them with other rabbit owners on the Internet or through a rabbit club. If you’re artistic in some way, you may find it more comfortable to express your feelings through drawing, painting, sculpting, or through another type of art. Perhaps you’d like to paint a portrait of your deceased pet from a photograph. Consider making a photo album for your pet, too. A great way to honor your rabbit’s memory and cope during the grieving process is to make a photo album. - Volunteer. Rabbit rescue organizations need plenty of help. Consider donating your time, energy, or special services to one of these groups in your pet’s honor. (See the Appendix for more information on volunteer rabbit groups.) - Adopt a bunny. It may sound a bit strange at first, and it’s certainly not for everyone, but a wonderful way to honor your rabbit’s memory is to provide a home for a bunny in desperate need of love. Knowing that your rabbit’s passing provided an opportunity for a rabbit who really needed a home can help you overcome your grief, putting your rabbit’s life in a truly positive light. |
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