My rabbit had 3 back teeth removed in January because she had enlongated tooth roots and had developed and abscess. To clear the abscess they also had to remove her eye. She has adapted amazingly and is in general a very happy little bunny.
Her teeth are getting worse and worse. She's managed to fracture one in the last month somehow and has tooth decay. I do not feed her lots of fruit before you ask. She gets a little bit now and then. Her sister from the same litter has perfect teeth. Her teeth are so good the vet showed one of the students in the room her teeth as an example of what bunny teeth should look like. They are both 6 years old now.
She needs to go on painkillers for the rest of her life I was told today. She's been struggling to eat hay, but still absolutely loves food. She harasses me every time I go in the kitchen. She even stole an apple from me a few weeks ago.
I know that it's only downhill from here. I've watched a dental bun deteriorating before and it was awful. This was in the 90s when rabbit care wasn't as good. It broke my heart. I was a teenager with no money and my Mum was in charge of vet visits, so I was powerless. She has as a beautiful caramel and white lop who loved digging.
Now we have lots of options for bunnies and my current rabbit is being treated by a really good exotics team. But I don't want to keep her going just for me. She still seems happy. She's was doing little zoomies 4 days ago. She's full of life and has a big attitude.
But at what point does the vet say, this is cruel to keep going? Do I need to ask them? When did you know it was time?
by Charley_Ben_Freya