Hi everyone. Brand new here and really needing some advice, and I apologise for the long post.
We had two rabbits, brothers. Mr Hopps and Marshmallow. Gorgeous outside bunnies who have a freaking palace, but love to come inside and hang out too, but are NOT snuggle bunnies.
We had always planned to get them neutered when they were around 6 months old. Mr Hopps developed a quite large lump on his jaw over the last few months. At a checkup after they were attacked by a cat the vet said they would need to xray it to find out what was going on, and that they would do it while he was under anaesthetic for his neuter.
Well, we took our two boys in but Mr Hopps was far worse than they expected and would not have survived without constant pain for the rest of his life. The vet strongly suggested putting him to sleep and we devastatingly agreed.
Marshmallow had his neuter as planned and came home that same day, but at that stage we didn't know that it is best for bunnies to be around the body of their deceased friend for a while. In hindsight, it makes total sense, but we were upset and also just didn't know.
Since his neuter (today is day 2) Marshmallow has been eating quite well, but doesn't seem to be drinking today, only a quick sip this morning. I have given him some wet fresh grass to trick him into the liquid intake (as suggested somewhere online). Seems to do the trick, but still not sure how much liquid he is getting.
He has done about 4 lots of 20-30 or so poops since the operation then 1-5 here and there, all normal, and has done 3 big wees, all like normal, though none so far today.
He seems ok in spirit, though not entirely happy to be cooped up inside for the few days, heavy rain and wind since the first night, didn't want him outside. He doesn't want to listen to the vet and rest, so he has been running and jumping, and seems pretty much back to normal, except sleeping a lot more.
That's as much info as I can think of. Here are my questions:
1. As long as he is eating and pooping should I worry about how much he is drinking? And is this normal for a while after neutering?
Not sure if our boys were technically "bonded" because they were brothers but they were certainly bros, and had been together their whole lives. So,
2. Is there a way we can tell if Marshmallow is becoming depressed? Or a way to prevent it?
3. Should we leave all of their toys (loooong cardboard box tunnels) in their pen so that he can smell Mr Hopps or change things up so that he can move on?
4. As much as it feels like a betrayal of Mr Hopps' memory, should we look in to getting Marshmallow another pal?
I had some other questions, but they have fallen out of my head because recounting all of this has made my heart hurt again. I am feeling incredibly emotional about losing Mr Hopps, as is the whole family, and I am not sure if I am just completely stressing out and worrying unnecessarily, but I am so so afraid we are going to lose Marshmallow too. I am the Mum, so apparently it is my job to keep it together for the family even though I am hurting so bad inside.
Thanks for reading and thank you for any advice!
We had two rabbits, brothers. Mr Hopps and Marshmallow. Gorgeous outside bunnies who have a freaking palace, but love to come inside and hang out too, but are NOT snuggle bunnies.
We had always planned to get them neutered when they were around 6 months old. Mr Hopps developed a quite large lump on his jaw over the last few months. At a checkup after they were attacked by a cat the vet said they would need to xray it to find out what was going on, and that they would do it while he was under anaesthetic for his neuter.
Well, we took our two boys in but Mr Hopps was far worse than they expected and would not have survived without constant pain for the rest of his life. The vet strongly suggested putting him to sleep and we devastatingly agreed.
Marshmallow had his neuter as planned and came home that same day, but at that stage we didn't know that it is best for bunnies to be around the body of their deceased friend for a while. In hindsight, it makes total sense, but we were upset and also just didn't know.
Since his neuter (today is day 2) Marshmallow has been eating quite well, but doesn't seem to be drinking today, only a quick sip this morning. I have given him some wet fresh grass to trick him into the liquid intake (as suggested somewhere online). Seems to do the trick, but still not sure how much liquid he is getting.
He has done about 4 lots of 20-30 or so poops since the operation then 1-5 here and there, all normal, and has done 3 big wees, all like normal, though none so far today.
He seems ok in spirit, though not entirely happy to be cooped up inside for the few days, heavy rain and wind since the first night, didn't want him outside. He doesn't want to listen to the vet and rest, so he has been running and jumping, and seems pretty much back to normal, except sleeping a lot more.
That's as much info as I can think of. Here are my questions:
1. As long as he is eating and pooping should I worry about how much he is drinking? And is this normal for a while after neutering?
Not sure if our boys were technically "bonded" because they were brothers but they were certainly bros, and had been together their whole lives. So,
2. Is there a way we can tell if Marshmallow is becoming depressed? Or a way to prevent it?
3. Should we leave all of their toys (loooong cardboard box tunnels) in their pen so that he can smell Mr Hopps or change things up so that he can move on?
4. As much as it feels like a betrayal of Mr Hopps' memory, should we look in to getting Marshmallow another pal?
I had some other questions, but they have fallen out of my head because recounting all of this has made my heart hurt again. I am feeling incredibly emotional about losing Mr Hopps, as is the whole family, and I am not sure if I am just completely stressing out and worrying unnecessarily, but I am so so afraid we are going to lose Marshmallow too. I am the Mum, so apparently it is my job to keep it together for the family even though I am hurting so bad inside.
Thanks for reading and thank you for any advice!