Post by criswell on Dec 10, 2018 2:36:45 GMT
My gorgeous rabbit Roxy passed away this evening. She was 9 years 2 months old and apart from a bit of arthritis she's been in perfect health. She takes metacam daily for arthritis and had her 6 month check up last week and passed with flying colours. We had noticed her slowing down over the last few months though but her appetite was excellent and she was still playful, but taking it a bit easier with extra naps, but the vet didn't find anything amiss.
We brought her and her sister, Jess, in this morning for their Sunday morning health check and rear end wash if needed and she was fine. She was eager to get back outside when I let them out and she trotted about the garden and ate up the dried dandelion leaves I gave her, then settled down in their shelter. At 12.30 my OH couldn't find her and asked me to look and she was tucked up in the shed (which is what we call the outside toilet) having a nap. She was still there an hour later when I cleaned the hutch which was a little odd but she came out to see what I was doing and then settled down in their shelter again. She seemed quite sleepy so I thought we should bring her end in case she was too cold. I was able to catch hold of her in the garden which was a bad sign as I usually have to shoo her into the hutch to catch her.
We checked her over and gave her some ranitidine and emeprid in case her digestion was a bit slow, and she had her daily metacam. She seemed quite bright just a little sleepy and even fell asleep eating a cabbage leaf. I snuggled her up near a heat pad but she kept moving away from it suggesting she wasn't too cold, but she was having trouble holding herself upright so we took her along to the emergency vet.
The vet was lovely and through but couldn't find anything wrong with her. Her chest and intestines sounded fine, eyes, nose, teeth and ears were all great, temperature normal, well hydrated, no sign of infection. Roxy weed and pooped a little while she was there which the vet was pleased to see. The vet was lovely and kind to Roxy and us too. She mentioned to me about Roxy being 9 years old she gave me a very sympathetic look so I know she was thinking that maybe it was her time to go. We were there for about half an hour and she couldn't find anything wrong with her apart from the limpness and said she was in really good condition. She did think it looked like it could be neurological. She suggested we take her home and keep her warm and repeat the medication after 12 hours and see how she is in the morning. She did say they could keep her in but thought it better if she came home with us as she would be more relaxed and comfortable.
So we made her comfortable under the dining table. Jess didn't want to stay indoors with her so I put her back in the hutch. Roxy was not a cuddly rabbit so didn't want to be stroked but I stayed with her until she feel asleep, and then left her to rest with regular checks. She didn't wake up again and I'm glad she had such a peaceful end.
Roxy had a good life with very little illness. She was fit and well and happy until the end and even butted my legs yesterday when I was cleaning out the hutch. Her last day was a good one (apart from the trip to the vets) and I'm glad about that. She was such lovely bunny and I will miss her so much. And tomorrow I have to see how Jess copes without her. They didn't have the closest relationship so I hope she'll be ok. At 9 years 2 months old, only partially tame and with a bit of a bad temper I don't hold out very strong hopes of bonding her with another rabbit, so we'll see how she gets on by herself for now.
I'll add some photos of Roxy tomorrow. I don't suppose I will sleep much but I ought to try.