Usagi_Chan
Well-Known Member
Just two months ago my Pegasus died from a cancer in his front leg. Thumper, his partner then became receptive to bonding with Nigel, a grey Jersey Wooly with a black face. They've been bonded now for about 1 1/2 months.
I have been forced to move to a new home. I took Nigel and Thumper and had them on the deck there. There were many potted plants, most of which were herbs, basil, oregano etc. Thumper was munching on leaves and twigs as she often does. I didn't notice if Nigel was chewing leaves or not. But suddenly Nigel started acting strange and when I picked him up he was convulsing. Thumper also appeared weak. I took them home and Nigel heartbeat became slow and faint. He died within an hour. I didn't bother with a vet because it was obvious that they had either ingested a poison or had been envenomated and no one but God could save either. Thumper was very sick and could hardly stand up. When she tried she bobbed up and down as if her front legs could not support her. She started getting cold so I wrapped her in a towel and held her close to my body. She got better and stronger; wasn't bobbing as much. The next day she drank a ton of water and couldn't seem to control her urine. She was peeing herself and in a few places in spite of the fact she always had perfect litterbox habits.
I haven't been back to the new place but obviously the deck is deadly to rabbits. I am not certain what caused this. The owner told me someone told him the plant Thumper was chewing was jasmine. I looked that up and it is toxic to rabbits. How toxic? I don't know. I also would not know jasmine (or any other plant) from peanut butter.
However the deck and potted plants would also be a perfect hideout for spiders and I've read that a venomous spider can kill a rabbit. I will look closely when I return Sunday. Since their symptoms were different I think it's possible that a spider got Nigel and either also bit Thumper but with a weakened amount of venom or it was the plant she was chewing. I can't totally rule out a venomous snake lurking under the deck either. I'll inspect carefully on Sunday when I plan to move some things in.
Nigel was a VERY special rabbit. He would perch on my forearm with his legs draped carelessly around my arm and he'd stay like this for hours while I went shopping, restaurant or anywhere, never peeing or even dropping a poo. For his help in ameliorating the panic attacks that I often have, he was a registered service animal. He also loved to kiss me and anyone for that matter. He would often start licking at my neck and work his way up to my forehead. His death is a terrible blow to me as well as to Thumper who has already lost two bond-mates. I am devastated for Thumper as well. This is the third bond-mate that she has lost. I can't stop crying, both for her loss and my own.
Why is this post so long? As a warning to be very careful of where you take your rabbits. Be wary of any plants or the possibility of snakes, spiders or other dangers to your beloved bunnies.
Also I want another "Nigel" a very affectionate bunny who could serve as a service animal. I am looking for a Jersey Wooly though I'd consider other breeds. I have noticed that the JW's that I've seen on Petfinder and other places very often claim that they are very affectionate. Perhaps this is a breed characteristic? Perhaps someone here might know of one. Perhaps a baby I can train? All my bunnies, including Nigel, have been rescues but in this case I need a very special bunny. He needs to be small because I'm moving aboard a boat and there really isn't a lot of room on boats. 5 lbs or less would be fine. Thumper, his future bond-mate, is a 4 lb mini-rex. She prefers "men" so he must be male. A Jersey Wooly is strongly preferred for many reasons. Even the fact they require a lot of time grooming them is a good thing. Grooming Nigel has helped to relax me.
I just can't stop crying.... He was so very special. Everyone who ever met him knew that.
I have been forced to move to a new home. I took Nigel and Thumper and had them on the deck there. There were many potted plants, most of which were herbs, basil, oregano etc. Thumper was munching on leaves and twigs as she often does. I didn't notice if Nigel was chewing leaves or not. But suddenly Nigel started acting strange and when I picked him up he was convulsing. Thumper also appeared weak. I took them home and Nigel heartbeat became slow and faint. He died within an hour. I didn't bother with a vet because it was obvious that they had either ingested a poison or had been envenomated and no one but God could save either. Thumper was very sick and could hardly stand up. When she tried she bobbed up and down as if her front legs could not support her. She started getting cold so I wrapped her in a towel and held her close to my body. She got better and stronger; wasn't bobbing as much. The next day she drank a ton of water and couldn't seem to control her urine. She was peeing herself and in a few places in spite of the fact she always had perfect litterbox habits.
I haven't been back to the new place but obviously the deck is deadly to rabbits. I am not certain what caused this. The owner told me someone told him the plant Thumper was chewing was jasmine. I looked that up and it is toxic to rabbits. How toxic? I don't know. I also would not know jasmine (or any other plant) from peanut butter.
However the deck and potted plants would also be a perfect hideout for spiders and I've read that a venomous spider can kill a rabbit. I will look closely when I return Sunday. Since their symptoms were different I think it's possible that a spider got Nigel and either also bit Thumper but with a weakened amount of venom or it was the plant she was chewing. I can't totally rule out a venomous snake lurking under the deck either. I'll inspect carefully on Sunday when I plan to move some things in.
Nigel was a VERY special rabbit. He would perch on my forearm with his legs draped carelessly around my arm and he'd stay like this for hours while I went shopping, restaurant or anywhere, never peeing or even dropping a poo. For his help in ameliorating the panic attacks that I often have, he was a registered service animal. He also loved to kiss me and anyone for that matter. He would often start licking at my neck and work his way up to my forehead. His death is a terrible blow to me as well as to Thumper who has already lost two bond-mates. I am devastated for Thumper as well. This is the third bond-mate that she has lost. I can't stop crying, both for her loss and my own.
Why is this post so long? As a warning to be very careful of where you take your rabbits. Be wary of any plants or the possibility of snakes, spiders or other dangers to your beloved bunnies.
Also I want another "Nigel" a very affectionate bunny who could serve as a service animal. I am looking for a Jersey Wooly though I'd consider other breeds. I have noticed that the JW's that I've seen on Petfinder and other places very often claim that they are very affectionate. Perhaps this is a breed characteristic? Perhaps someone here might know of one. Perhaps a baby I can train? All my bunnies, including Nigel, have been rescues but in this case I need a very special bunny. He needs to be small because I'm moving aboard a boat and there really isn't a lot of room on boats. 5 lbs or less would be fine. Thumper, his future bond-mate, is a 4 lb mini-rex. She prefers "men" so he must be male. A Jersey Wooly is strongly preferred for many reasons. Even the fact they require a lot of time grooming them is a good thing. Grooming Nigel has helped to relax me.
I just can't stop crying.... He was so very special. Everyone who ever met him knew that.
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I would have been traumatized to watch my rabbit die like that. I hope you find another rabbit that suits your criteria and that you will love as much as Nigel in time. I don't really have any advice on the subject, considering I don't know anything about Woolys, just wanted to offer my condolences.
