And if Zoe doesn't make it through tomorrow...

[Jenk]

I am so sorry that this question is so morbid.... And I've asked it before in a slightly different way. (I didn't explain previously about Emma's sensitive temperament.)

If we have to euthanize Zoe tomorrow cry2), a part of me is considering taking Emma along. But Emma and Zoe aren't pen mates and aren't what I'd call fully bonded; Emma still tries to dominate Zoe when they're out together for exercise.

My biggest concern is that Emma stresses very easily and is currently shedding. I worry that taking her on a car ride to the vet's--even though it's no more than 10 minutes' away--is somewhat risky. And I don't know if she'll take comfort in seeing the (potential) body, or if she would actually stress a bit--especially following the car ride. Ugh...


Jenk

 

[SnowyShiloh]

If they aren't bonded and don't live together and Emma responds poorly to car rides, I would leave her at home.

 

[plasticbunny]

Agreed.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

:yeahthat: Elizabeth goes into stasis over car rides.

 

[Jenk]

Thank you, SnowyShiloh and plasticbunny, for replying. I suppose it would be best to leave Emma home.

SnowyShiloh wrote:

If they aren't bonded and don't live together and Emma responds poorly to car rides, I would leave her at home.

Emma and Zoe will groom each other through their pen wall at times and when they're out together. But it's not a constant love fest, and they can't be trusted to live together. (They'd still fight if confined together, I've no doubt. Funny, that.)

 

[naturestee]

I'd leave her at home, but let her see Zoe's body afterwards. I don't think it's as important for bonded buns to be there during the euthanasia. When I brought Fey to be euthanized, I did not bring her bondmate Oberon but just let him see her when I brought her home.

If you're looking at having cremation done, just bring her home and then bring her back later.

I'm so sorry that you might have to make that decision.

 

[Jenk]

naturestee wrote:

I'd leave her at home, but let her see Zoe's body afterwards. I don't think it's as important for bonded buns to be there during the euthanasia. When I brought Fey to be euthanized, I did not bring her bondmate Oberon but just let him see her when I brought her home.

If you're looking at having cremation done, just bring her home and then bring her back later.

I'm so sorry that you might have to make that decision.

Since tomorrow is Saturday, the vet's office closes at 12 pm. If Zoe were to be euthanized closer to the vet's closing time tomorrow (12 pm), would we keep her body over the weekend? The thought seems kind of morbid to me; seeing her body multiple times might just upset me more.

Also, I'm not certain a vet would allow a person to keep the body for that long (assuming it wouldn't interfere with the cremation process anyway).

 

[gmas rabbit]

I agree with the above, leave the one little one at home and let her say goodbye to Zoe later. What a incredibly hard decision you have to make, but if she is not doing well or responding and in pain it is your final act of love to her. We will all be with you tomorrow and thinking about you, Zoe and you family at this time of grief and crisis.

 

[Jenk]

gmas rabbit wrote:

I agree with the above, leave the one little one at home and let her say goodbye to Zoe later. What a incredibly hard decision you have to make, but if she is not doing well or responding and in pain it is your final act of love to her. We will all be with you tomorrow and thinking about you, Zoe and you family at this time of grief and crisis.

gmas,

You've made me cry (in a good way). :hug: Everyone's support means so, so much to me.

For four years' time, I've been dreading having to one day make this decision for Zoe. My anxiety over her megacolon issues has had me constantly on edge, since I know most buns that have it don't have a normal lifespan. Still, it feels so unfair; she just turned 4 years old on 7/12.

 

[SnowyShiloh]

Jen, I don't see why they wouldn't let you take the body home. If you have to have her euthanized, get a nice little Rubbermaid container and a clean, fluffy towel to wrap her in, bring her home to let Emma sniff her, then wrap her in the towel again and put her in the container and store it in the refrigerator until Monday morning. I know that sounds grim and creepy.

I know how much you've suffered with Zoe and to a lesser extent Emma and Pink. You've been a great bunny mom to them and Zoe would have had a much shorter, less happy life with an owner who didn't care for her as much as you. I know it's hard to think of putting her to sleep, but she will never have to suffer again and you will be able to take a little sigh of relief knowing that. I remember one night after Skyler died, I woke up crying because I dreamed he was going paralyzed and I remember actually being grateful when I remembered he had already died and would never have to suffer through that.

Hugs!

 

[Jenk]

SnowyShiloh wrote:

Jen, I don't see why they wouldn't let you take the body home. If you have to have her euthanized, get a nice little Rubbermaid container and a clean, fluffy towel to wrap her in, bring her home to let Emma sniff her, then wrap her in the towel again and put her in the container and store it in the refrigerator until Monday morning. I know that sounds grim and creepy.

On the one hand, I'd prefer Emma to not be in the dark on the issue, if we have to make the decision I do not want to make. But on the other hand, the thought of seeing Zoe's body in the fridge over the course of the weekend is hard, too. Still, I'd likely do it for Emma's peace of mind.

I know how much you've suffered with Zoe and to a lesser extent Emma and Pink. You've been a great bunny mom to them and Zoe would have had a much shorter, less happy life with an owner who didn't care for her as much as you. I know it's hard to think of putting her to sleep, but she will never have to suffer again and you will be able to take a little sigh of relief knowing that. I remember one night after Skyler died, I woke up crying because I dreamed he was going paralyzed and I remember actually being grateful when I remembered he had already died and would never have to suffer through that.

Emma's gut is quite tricky, too, true; Zoe's digestive issues have made me miss the most sleep over the years. I'm not complaining but just stating the facts. Truth be told, if Zoe was to pull through this stasis bout, she'd still have megacolon issues that would continue to worsen with age--a never-ending battle.

Thank you for saying what you did about me being a great bunny mom who's kept Zoe alive. It's true that I've worked very hard at caring for her. Honestly, being her caregiver has become a part of my identity; I guess I might have to learn to part with it--if not tomorrow, then someday.

I understand your point about Skylar and why you stopped crying after you realized the fallacy of your dream. Knowing that a furry loved one isn't suffering is, in a sense, a form of relief.

 

[Jenk]

I'm not sure if letting Pink see/smell Zoe's body would be a good idea, or if it might cause more confusion/upset on his part? He isn't bonded with either of the girls, but he typically seemed more kind/gentle toward Zoe (at least through pen bars).

I also twice saw him chin rub Zoe's face (through her pen bars). I realize this is a show of dominance, though it still looked rather sweet, in a sense. Still, I don't want to cause him unnecessary angst, if that's often the case when one bun examines the body of a non-mate/-buddy bun.


Thank you,

Jenk

 

[Pipp]

I'd wait and try to do more to ID the mass.

She could also be totally dependent on the Reglan, the tract stops working on its own.

Maybe other than hydration, I'd just leave her be and see what happens.


sas ray:

 

[Jenk]

Pipp wrote:

I'd wait and try to do more to ID the mass.

We won't put her through surgery for it, so finding out what it is exactly seems moot. I mean, even if a digital x-ray (or ultrasound) showed that the mass is shutting off a portion of Zoe's intestines, we'd not be taking heroic measures; she'd never survive a surgery with all her megacolon issues. (Anesthesia is horribly hard on her, and it gets increasingly tougher to nurse her through each anesthesia bout she has for tooth trims.)

She could also be totally dependent on the Reglan, the tract stops working on its own.

Even if it were dependent on it, she's been on it for a bit now, including the injectable form for at least four days' now. With all the meds. and fluids, she should be passing something; instead, she continues to strain as if there is a blockage.

Maybe other than hydration, I'd just leave her be and see what happens.

I won't allow her to continue going as she has been, if she's the same (or worse) by tomorrow morning. She's been through so much poking and prodding in her short life due to all the treatment for megacolon/stasis issues.

Honestly, if it isn't this stasis bout that ends her life, it will be another anesthesia experience down the road. And she's been requiring it for semi-regular tooth trims. I can't allow her to keep bouncing around between relatively okay health and such pain; it just doesn't seem fair to her. I love her too much for that.

 

[plasticbunny]

Be brave, mommy, and do what's in your heart. My whole family has you in our thoughts here :hearts

Love from Erin, Rob, Molly, Gus, Leela, Duke, Tidbit, and Minx

 

[Jenk]

plasticbunny wrote:

Be brave, mommy, and do what's in your heart. My whole family has you in our thoughts here :hearts

Love from Erin, Rob, Molly, Gus, Leela, Duke, Tidbit, and Minx.

Thank you so much. :hug:

Now I must go snorggle (snort/snuggle) a dear, sweet bun.... :cry2


Jenk

 

[Bunnylova4eva]

Oh my, wow i"ll be praying for you. I know how hard of a decision it it. Just lost my best buddy {my bunny Jelly} in APril, and i"m still struggling with it. I'd been taking care of her, while she was sick for 6 mo. and for 1 wk. staying up all night with her every night, and I knew she wasn't going to get better. The vet had told me that a week before, but I just couldn't let go then. YOu'll know when the time is right, and when you're ready.

Does your vet let you stay with the bunny when being put to sleep? Mine told me for state law I couldn't come to the back room with them. That ripped me apart when I could barely make the decision in the first place...

 

[Jenk]

Bunnylova4eva wrote:

Oh my, wow i"ll be praying for you. I know how hard of a decision it it. Just lost my best buddy {my bunny Jelly} in APril, and i"m still struggling with it. I'd been taking care of her, while she was sick for 6 mo. and for 1 wk. staying up all night with her every night, and I knew she wasn't going to get better. The vet had told me that a week before, but I just couldn't let go then. YOu'll know when the time is right, and when you're ready.

Does your vet let you stay with the bunny when being put to sleep? Mine told me for state law I couldn't come to the back room with them. That ripped me apart when I could barely make the decision in the first place...

Thank you for the prayers, Bunnylova4eva.

My husband recently called the vet's office, and we're scheduled to take Zoe in at 11:30 am today. I am not looking forward to it at all, but I don't want her to feel anymore discomfort/pain.

I've not asked my vet if we're allowed to stay with a bun when s/he is put to sleep. We do want to stay with her and will certainly ask to do so. But even if I just found out now that we couldn't stay with Zoe through the process, I don't want to make her wait any longer (or to have to suffer a longer drive only to be pts by an unfamiliar vet). I'll continue to ray: that we are allowed to be with her until the end.

 

[Jenk]

naturestee wrote:

I'd leave her at home, but let her see Zoe's body afterwards. I don't think it's as important for bonded buns to be there during the euthanasia.

In case I still could use the info., I'm curious to know:

1) How long did you--as in anyone who can reply to this question, not just naturestee--allow your bun to examine/be with the body of your euthanized bun? Was it for an hour, several hours, etc.?

2) Where did you place your deceased bun's body in order to let the other bun examine/be with it?

My first thought would be to place the body in its "rightful" place--the deceased bun's former living space--and let the other bun examine it there. For some reason, I think it could be stressful to put the body in the other bun's living quarters. (Emma was always rather territorial; I've no clue how freaked out she might be to one day find Zoe's body inside of her [Emma's] pen.)


Jenk

 

[naturestee]

I laid Fey on the floor of the pen she shared with Oberon and unwrapped the towel she was in. He only needed a few minutes to sniff her over and then he lost interest. I let Loki sniff her through the bars. The others just saw her from a distance because they were never that interested in her.

When Sprite died, she was in the cage with Fey. We showed her to Fey before we took her out, and Fey must have known what we were doing because she groomed her for a few minutes before hopping away. It was heartbreaking. We also showed her to Oberon for a minute or two, since both girls were well into the bonding process with him, and again to Loki through the bars since he loves all girls.

I'd let the other buns sniff her through the bars or put her body in neutral territory and let the others out to see her. I hope it doesn't come to that, though.