My Twinkle may be crossing the Rainbow Bridge tonight....

Twinkle, my beautiful adopted doe suffers from arthritis and has very severe splayed legs, over the past few months her legs have been getting worse to the point where she's not hopping around properly, although she does her best, bless her.

As a result of the lameness she has begun urinating down her legs and is no longer taking her cecal pellets - presumably because she is unable to bend down to take them. The cecals all began getting stuck to her undercarriage and the urine is scalding her underside and legs. I've been wiping her 2-3 times a day with a mild rabbit shampoo and water to try and wipe away the urine and I've been cutting off the poo-matted fur - this has been going on for around 3 months on a daily basis.

Over time her fur has become completely discoloured and a lot of it has dropped out. She is still urinating on herself all the time.

Twinkle used to be a friendly and sociable rabbit - always jumping around on me but now she sees me and runs away and hides - she must be convinced that I'm here to wash her down again or clip her bottom. It breaks my heart to see her afraid of me.

I phoned the vet yesterday to explain that things were getting bad and to book her in so the vet could give her a good thorough clean up but the vet suggested that I should think about doing the kindest thing to Twinkle, which is putting her to sleep. The vet said although I can continue to wash her down she is at a major threat of flystrike and also she is in considerable pain from the arthritis and burning skin on her legs.

I'm hoping that when the vet sees her she will decide that euthanasia isn't the best answer but I have to accept that it might well come to that. I wouldn't want my baby to suffer at all.

I have another problem though....Twinkle is bonded to my buck rabbit Benjamin, and if the worst comes and she is recommended to be put to sleep - how should I approach it with Benjamin? I know a lot of people suggest that when one of a bonded pair dies you should leave the body in with the other bunny for a short time so the bunny can groom and 'grieve' and understand what has happened but what do others recommend when one of the bonded pair is being euthanised?

I have decided to separate them for this short time that I take Twinkle to the vets as it is only 5 minutes from home and Benjamin goes through such stress when he's forced into the car - I've separated them before for vet visits withour incident. Obviously if the worst happens I will be bringing Twinkle back home to bury her - should I let Benjamin see her?

Another issue that worries me is that we're going to Canada for a month in September. I have planned for the rabbits to stay in a cattery which is owned by a friend - the rabbits will have a nice sized 'chalet' and will be well cared for but may not get the attention and strokes they are used to but at least they would have had each other for company. I'm now thinking that if it is time for Twinkle to cross the rainbow bridge tonight I really don't want Benjamin staying at the cattery alone as he is such a sociable bunny. If the worst happens do you think it's wrong to adopt a new bunny and begin a new bonding process within the next couple of weeks bearing in mind that he will have just lost his true love?

A very sad Rebecca xx

Aw Rebecca, so sorry you're going through this. :saddened

Personally I think that if it is Twinke's time,both you and Benjamin will find comfort with another furry friend. It really won't be disrespectiveful to Twinkle, I'm sure she loves you both and wants you to be soothed and distracted,and I'm sure it will save Benjamin a world of pain.

I have to say that when I only had Pipp, I was absolutely terrified -- petrified-- at the thought of losing her. I've got four other bunnies, now, and while Pipp is still my one and only heart bunny,I know the presence of the other four will be a huge comfortif she or anybunny else crosses the bridge.The fear is great, but no longer paralysing. I'm comforted already.

Please give Twinkle copious amounts of her favourite treats and pets as we hope for the best and prepare for the worst. She's lucky to have a caring human. Another bunny will be lucky, too.:hug1

Meanwhile, here's something I found not long ago that may help. (I think Laura and I both had a good cry over this today).

sas and the furry five

The Last Battle ink iris:

If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
then you must do what must be done
For this, the last battle, can't be won.

You will be sad, I understand,
Don't let the grief then stay your hand,
For this day more than all the rest
Your love and friendship stand the test.

We've had so many happy years,
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer so;
When the time comes, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend
And stay with me, if you can, to the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time, you will see,
It is a kindness you do for me.
Although my tail its last was waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Don't grieve that it should be you,
Who must decide this thing to do,
We've been so close, we two, these years;
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Smile, for we walked together for a little while.

- Author Unknown[/b]

I'm so sorry to hear your situation, Rebecca. It's the hardest part of any relationship, especially when it has to end in this way. All you can do it remember what a good life she's had while living with you, and remember that she'll have enjoyed her time spent as your friend.

It's incredibly hard to do, but you alone have the power to be able to stop her suffering and make her happy once she's crossed over the bridge, and, while it will break your heart, she'll love you for it even more and will be waiting for you in many years to come on the other side.

Ohhh i'm so sorry to hear this sad news,aww poor sweet Twinkle,she is such a pretty girl,i will be thinking about her and you and especially Benjamin.




Sas..that poem is just lovely..but verysad



all my love to you, Twinkle and Benjamin



cheryl

Pipp, this is a beautiful poem - thank you so much. I'm printing this out to show to my husband.

Thank you for your kind words....all I can do is wait and see. I'm still so worried about little Benjamin and how he might cope without his darling Twinkle.

What a wonderful bun mom you are. I hope you can find some comfort in the fact that twinkle was well cared for and had a happy life. A new bunny will probably help ease the pain for both you and benjamin when twinkle passes.
You and your buns will be in my prayers tonightray:

ray:

Oh Rebecca, I'm so sorry that things are so bad for Twinkle . If the worst does happen, then I think Benjamin should be there to 'say Goodbye'. If Twinkle just disappears then he won't realise she has gone, and may keep looking for her. He may also be harder to bond with another rabbit if he thinks Twinkle may be coming back.

Please give Twinkle lots of cuddles and kisses from me. Thinking of you all.

Jan

LuvaBun wrote:

... If the worst does happen, then I think Benjamin should be there to 'say Goodbye'. If Twinkle just disappears then he won't realise she has gone, and may keep looking for her. He may also be harder to bond with another rabbit if he thinks Twinkle may be coming back.

Click to expand...

I haven't had any experience at this, but my concern would be if he's already stressed by a car ride,and he goes tothe vet with Twinkle, he'llassociatecar rides and the vet with the death of his mate, it may have serious consequences on his own vet visits in the future. Good point about making bonding easier, but not sure it outweighs the stress factor. So hard to say.

Please let us know what the vet says.

sas :hug1

O Rebecca. I am so very sorry for you.

I hope that things go well at the vet, but sometimes letting her go in peace might be the best thing you can do for her. She is so lucky to have a mom like you who cares for her so deeply.

About Benjamin, Ive often worried about this same situation with my bonded pair. If the vet really thinks that Twinke should be put to sleep and takingBenjamin to the vet with you is out of the question, is there any way for you to bring Twinkle home after the procedure. I know this may seem a little disturbing, but could you bring her home to show Benjamin and then bury her somewhere special?

I dont know much about this but its a thought. Im just worried about Benjamin waiting for her to come home from the vet and then she never does :-(

You and your buns are in my prayers.

Haley

Aww...hugs to you and yours. I'm so sorry you and your babies are going through this. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Love.

Rebecca, I am so sorry that you are going through this. I really hope that the vet gives you good news.

If that's not the case, I think Benjamin would do better if you let him see Twinkle after. I've heard the same as you- that the bunny that's left keeps looking for his mate and can get upset. I have heard of other people that had to euthanize one rabbit in a pair, and afterwards they brought the rabbit home to be seen by it's mate. The mate did seem to understand. So even if Benjamin can't be there with Twinkle, just seeing her afterwards may help him.

I also don't think it's a bad idea to get another girlfriend for Benjamin to love. Try doing bunny dates at local shelters. Not all rabbits want another friend right away, but others do. Benjamin will let you know what, and who, he wants. And I'm sure the people running the shelters will understand what the two of you are going through.

:hug:

ray:

Any news yet?

Ive been thinking about you and Twinkle all day.

ray:Haley

ray::rose:ray:

please let twinkle be ok

i no what you mean we all love are bunnys so much

hope she is ok

varna and the 2 boys and lucy xxxx

Hi Everyone

Thank you for your kind words and comments. I apologise that I haven't been online to update you all on Twinkle - unfortunately we have had our broadband disconnected at home so I can only get online from work.

Well, thank the lord, my baby is still with us. I am so relieved!!

I asked to see a different vet and I opened my heart to him and said although I understood that it was almost my baby's time to go I just felt that I hadn't done everything I could for her yet. He examined her with this in mind and told me that it wasn't necessary to send her to sleep just yet. He was confident that she can live happily for at least another few months. He admitted that the splay legs are a problem and they may get worse but although her lameness is getting worse she was showing no signs of the arthritis getting anymore painful than it was several months back.

As for the urinating and defacating down herself - the vet discovered that she had mild cystitis and therefore the problem of her not being able to clean herself up was being exacerbated by the constant urinating from the cystitis. He gave her a drug to help clear up the cystitis and some antibiotic medicine which we are to give to her twice a day for a fortnight. She also had a mild case of worms which he treated.

I must admit I felt terrible for not knowing about the cystitis and the worms but the vet assured me that they were both mild cases and easily treatable. The vet also provided me with some strong shampoo to wash her rear end with properly and this has cleaned her up nicely.

I was so thrilled to be able to bring little Twinkle home to Benjamin again and it melted my heart to see him give her a little bunny kiss.

She is still 'off colour' - she isn't up to running or hopping much and tends to skulk in her favourite corner of the run and she is only interested in titbits of food and hasn't really eaten more than a few mouthfuls but I'm hoping and praying that she will start to feel better soon.

Thank you to everyone for being so kind. I am so thrilled that I asked to see the other vet as he has given me lots more hope. I'm not discrediting the other vet who advised about euthanasia though as I'm sure she thought it was the best thing based on the information I had given.

Rebecca,

I am happy to hear that Twinkie is gonna be ok for now... Sadly I know where your coming from... Just a little over a week ago, I had to put my bunny Luv to sleep for about the same reasons.. She couldnt walk, or control where she pee'd.

Cristy

Oh Cristy - I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your baby. It is going to be the same for me in several months time, I know, and it is for the best but I've managed to 'buy' my girl some more time.

I bet the loss of your baby has left a hole in your heart - I was steeling myself for the same on Friday so I know in part how you're feeling.

Best wishes.

Rebecca

Hi Rebecca,

I'm so happy to hear Twinkle came home with you. She sounds like one fantastic bunny.

I will say a prayer that she fells better soon.

Give her a big kiss from me.

Soooska:apollo: