I’m sure that a lot of you have seen my past couple of posts about Puddles.
He had a head tilt and could hardly stand, and wanted eating or drinking. He took his critical care like a champ though. I took him to the emergency vet on Saturday and they wouldn’t give him antibiotics or an anti-parasitic. They said that they weren’t comfortable prescribing them to him, they said that it could cause GI stasis. I called two different emergency vets, a regular vet was still open, and 2 other locations of the first emergency vet that I took him to. Nobody saw rabbits except for the first one and their locations.
They told me that E. cuniculi was very rare in rabbits. I tried so hard to get him help. I wouldn’t have been able to get him help for at least another day or two, because that’s when our regular vet opened. The emergency vet was sure that it was neurological and thought that he needed a CT scan and to be hospitalized. We just couldn’t afford that, it’s been such a tough year financially for our pets.
We chose to put Puddles to sleep at the emergency vet that night. I tried SO hard to get him what I thought he needed. I’ve gone to that emergency vet multiple times, my cat was hospitalized there, they were always great. But now I hate them. I don’t understand why nobody knows anything about rabbits. I miss him so much and I feel so guilty.
by popcornnugget_s
3 Comments
Please don’t be so hard on yourself. You did the best you could. You gave Puddles the best care. I am sure he knew you loved him. Keep happy memories and he will live on in your heart.
I’m so sorry for your loss! I know how heart breaking it is. Whoever told you E. Cuniculi was very rare in rabbit is wrong. About 80% of rabbits have it however most are asymptomatic, which just means they don’t show signs of it and it doesn’t affect their bodies compared to rabbits who are symptomatic. My bun had E. Cuniculi and was treated for it however the only symptom she showed was a couple second head bob. While yes, it is more common for your rabbit to be asymptomatic than not, I would not say it’s rare. Most common way for buns get E. Cuniculi from eating poop from other rabbits who are infected or it being passed from the mother. Again, I’m so sorry for your loss and I can tell just by your worries, you were a terrific bun parent. Keep your head up 🥺💔
I’m so very sorry. It’s so very difficult to find an emergency rabbit vet even in heavily populated areas. Most vet school curriculum isn’t focused on exotic pet care, which would include rabbits. In order to obtain this type of training, one must seek out specialized training elsewhere in actual clinics. Puddles wouldn’t want you to feel guilty. He knows that you did the best that you could for him, and that is what matters most. Buns know more than we think they do. One of the toughest aspects of losing a bun, or any pet is punishing ourselves by replaying in our minds what could’ve been done differently. But know that this is not their focus now. They are free to do whatever they want and aren’t in any pain. I’m convinced all who have passed, both humans and all of our pets, still exist as spirit. Puddles still loves you, and you will see each other again.