Terrified to leave my rabbit for vacation

I am so scared to leave my rabbit for a week but am forced to go on a week long vacation with my family (who already booked AND paid for everything, and did not even ask me if I wanted to go). So because of that I am now obligated to go and I don't even want to, if it means possibly putting my rabbit's life at risk.

I know I suffer from severe anxiety and am probably freaking out over nothing, but still- it scares me, because my rabbit is the most important thing in my life. He is staying at his exotic vet's office the entire time. I would not trust his life with anyone else, not even my husband LOL... seriously though!

Because Thumper & I are so attached to each other, I am worried about him being away from me for that long and am so terrified of losing him due to GI stasis or complications from that. He has already shown me that he doesnt eat, drink, pee or poop when he is scared (like before/during vet trips or grooming sessions, won't even take his favorite treats until he is back home or feels "safe" again).


Another thing, he sleeps with me in bed every single night too, so I know spending 7 nights alone is going to be so scary/lonely for him, and that breaks my heart knowing he is going to be wondering where I am and why I left him in an unfamiliar place with strangers. He is such a sweet boy and just wants love and attention.. He even waits for me to get home from work every day.. I don't want him to think I abandoned him :'(

I trust his vet but because my rabbit means absolutely everything to me, I am so anxious about being away from him. I fear the worst, that when I drop him off for his stay at the vet, it will be the last time I ever see him. I am so scared that something bad will happen (such as a random illness or him going on hunger strike) and I will be saying goodbye forever


Has anyone else experienced this and have some tips for taking trips without your bunny, or some coping skills to deal with this horrible separation anxiety? Am I worrying too much?? I know my anxiety is taking over, but I just love him SO much and don't him to suffer mentally OR physically because of this. He is my baby and he means everything to me. Like I said, I don't want to go on this trip. I feel forced, and my parents have already spend thousands of dollars on this trip. All they want is their (not-so-)perfect family vacation, and because I am stuck working with my mother, I do not want to get on her 'bad side' because she will happily make my life a living hell when she wants to. But that is another story...

Just wanted to stress that I am obligated to leave my bunny .. I would NEVER choose to do this. I probably need him way more than he needs me. But If they would've just asked me before buying everything, my husband and I would have politely declined the invite.

Jessica

Your reaction is normal. We all feel that way, but you shouldn't worry too much.

I leave my pair at a vet for boarding as well. My normal vet (HRS-recommended rabbit specialist) clinic stopped boarding exotics, so I went with another local-ish vet boarder with another HRS-recommended rabbit vet. I've done this three times, one week each, and it's always worked out.

I made sure to get the largest cage I could fit in my car for them, and always give them lots of edible toys to occupy their time.

They're always happy to get home, but I've never gotten the impression they were miserable during boarding. They always get lots of attention from the vet techs and other employees there

Actually, I think it might be good for my rabbits. While they're free range on both floors here, a week elsewhere in a different environment with different people and different stimuli gives them a break in the monotony and daily routine that, while probably desired, has got to get boring month after month.

samoth,
Thanks so much for your reply, I appreciate you taking the time to respond. I know he will be in good care with his exotic vets and they will definitely be able to notice if he is showing any signs of health issues and will know what to do/have the resources or meds needed in case something comes up. I just feel so guilty leaving him because he is my little baby and is so attached to me!

He sleeps on my pillow every single night, and I know he will be wondering where I went (and if I am ever coming back for him).. But it makes me feel better to hear others share their experience and that they also went through the same and their rabbit remained healthy and everything ended up okay in the end. I am just terrified to lose him and dropping him off at the vets for boarding will be me saying goodbye forever.



If anyone else has any similar experiences and have been through this or just wants to respond please do! I just need to talk to other bunny owners who know how much these little babies can mean to us! No one in my personal life understands how or why I care about him the way I do. He is my everything.

Jessica

By the way my exotic vet is on the HRS list too, so I do trust them. They are really the only exotic vet within at least a 60-mile radius from where I live, and they are only a quick 10-min drive from home. But I know they will be busy and wont have eyes on him all hours of the day, and will probably just be there to give him his basic needs and check on him during office hours. They did offer to text me and send me pictures of him every day. They only treat exotic animals and specialize in birds and small animals, but I have also seen someone bring their pet duck there too!