ateflexi
Member
Hello all!
I have created an account specifically for the purpose of seeking help and opinions on this matter. I adopted a male dwarf lop, Rudy, about a month ago to accompany my male Polish rabbit, Rocky, since he started seeming a little lonely. It was a bond that took practically zero effort to form--they loved each other from the get-go.
Rudy had some discharge from his left eye from when I first took him home but was looked over by the vet who neutered him as nothing significant. And while it never went away, it had significantly gotten better after I took him home so I worried less about it. Unfortunately, it did not get better and had somehow manifested itself into a case of the snuffles. Due to unexpected financial hardships between the adoption and now, I didn't have the funds to even have him checked out nor could I afford the medication. I didn't want Rocky to catch the disease either, so I felt that it might have been best to surrender him back to the shelter in hopes that he would be better taken care of. I surrendered Rudy last Saturday.
It broke my heart a little mainly because I'm uncertain of what may happen to Rudy, but now I feel even worse considering that Rocky has no clue what happened to his friend. It has been two days since Rocky has been alone and I'm not sure yet if he is being affected deeply by Rudy's lack of presence. I read that rabbits who do not know what happened to their mates may wait and wait and as a result become depressed and perhaps even die of stress.
I'm already sad as it is that I could not take care of Rudy and now I'm especially sad and worried for Rocky. He is completely healthy and I only want the best for him. I was hoping someone could provide me some tips and pointers on how to help Rocky cope with Rudy's loss should he express signs of distress and grief. So far he is behaving normally but has been seeming a little confused as he often remains sitting up in his pen and looking around.
Any help and advice is greatly appreciated!
I have created an account specifically for the purpose of seeking help and opinions on this matter. I adopted a male dwarf lop, Rudy, about a month ago to accompany my male Polish rabbit, Rocky, since he started seeming a little lonely. It was a bond that took practically zero effort to form--they loved each other from the get-go.
Rudy had some discharge from his left eye from when I first took him home but was looked over by the vet who neutered him as nothing significant. And while it never went away, it had significantly gotten better after I took him home so I worried less about it. Unfortunately, it did not get better and had somehow manifested itself into a case of the snuffles. Due to unexpected financial hardships between the adoption and now, I didn't have the funds to even have him checked out nor could I afford the medication. I didn't want Rocky to catch the disease either, so I felt that it might have been best to surrender him back to the shelter in hopes that he would be better taken care of. I surrendered Rudy last Saturday.
It broke my heart a little mainly because I'm uncertain of what may happen to Rudy, but now I feel even worse considering that Rocky has no clue what happened to his friend. It has been two days since Rocky has been alone and I'm not sure yet if he is being affected deeply by Rudy's lack of presence. I read that rabbits who do not know what happened to their mates may wait and wait and as a result become depressed and perhaps even die of stress.
I'm already sad as it is that I could not take care of Rudy and now I'm especially sad and worried for Rocky. He is completely healthy and I only want the best for him. I was hoping someone could provide me some tips and pointers on how to help Rocky cope with Rudy's loss should he express signs of distress and grief. So far he is behaving normally but has been seeming a little confused as he often remains sitting up in his pen and looking around.
Any help and advice is greatly appreciated!