upsetting phone call...

[BlueGiants]

Just got a veryupsetting phone call. I sold a really lovely 5 month old, black Flemish doe, 2 weeks ago to a nice couple, looking for a lady friend for their neutered buck. They asked for a referal for a vet to spay her, so I gave them my vets info. They took her in today to be spayed and the doe died.

They said the vet called them and said she had to go in a second time whenthe doestarted bleeding. The vet called them back and said she looked good. She'd keep her overnight for observation. Within 1/2 hour, she was gone. I'll call the vet tomorrow and find out what happened.... but in the mean time.... I think they are blaming me... (But I didn't do anything...) ...and they want another rabbit from me.

Today has been such a rough day, I'm exhausted and I can't think. I'm devestated that the doe died. She was really very special, very gentle, very sweet. Her name was Cassiopia. Some breeder I am... mourning a rabbit that I sold.

Don't want to post to the general Forum. Don't want people to be afraid to spay... but I'm very sad.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Cathy I am so sorry! I know that's devastating!
I would tell the people that sometimes animals don't do well. It's not the vet or anything but it's just the animal.

Do you have a doe you could give them? I don't know what I'd do

 

[pamnock]

I'm so sorry How heartbreaking . . .

Pam

 

[BlueGiants]

I'm just so tired, can't think straight. I may have an older doe (2 years old?) that they would like. I'll make a decision tomorrow. I want to talk to my vet. They refuse to spay any doe now. Can't blame them. :sad:

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

Oh Cathy, I'm so sorry hon:hug:. Try and get some rest.

 

[TinysMom]

Oh no. I'm so sorry for YOUR loss as well as their loss. You had her almost 5 months....longer than they had her. Of course you will grieve over her.

Get some rest - we're here for you if you need to dump.

Peg

 

[Haley]

Im so sorry Cathy. Unfortunately its a risk each of us take every time one of our little ones goes under. Its so heartbreaking when it happens but Im so glad that even as a breeder you recognize the importance of spaying/neutering pets.

And dont criticize yourself for mourning her loss- I think thats what makes you a respectable breeder in my book (and its a short book ). Youre a kind and caring person.

*hugs*

Haley

 

[Pet_Bunny]

BlueGiants wrote:

.... I think they are blaming me... (But I didn't do anything...) ...and they want another rabbit from me. I'm just so tired, can't think straight.

I'm sorry. :hug2:

Be firm. 2 weeks is along time for a rabbit to be kept by the new owners. It was their decision to go ahead with the spay. You are not responsible. You should not give them another rabbit because theirs died. A suggestion, is to offer them first choice of a new litter, but they would still have to pay for it.

 

[polly]

Geez I am so sorry. Ii went through this around a month ago with someone who had bought a buck from me. When the vets told her I was the first person she phoned and I was devastated for her and the rabbit.

Get some rest and speak to the vets. I did the same thing though she hadn't used my vets but the guy I use is really helpful. I also found out afterwards that the vets she used isn't the most rabbit savvy although they had been participating in national rabbit show over here!!

They will not blame you there is nothing you could have done they would have been upset. :hug:Hugs to you cause I know where you are with this right now.

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

You didn't do anything wrong. Neither did they. It was just the doe's time. Talk to the vet. I am sure they aren't mad at you now....maybe they were just blowing off steam. I am so sorry, dear. Let me know if I can help in any way.

Sharon

 

[JimD]

I'm so sorry Cathy

Unfortunately, any surgical procedure carries a certain amount of risk.

And if they might be interested.....
I think there is still a flemish doe at the foster/rescue by me.
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9831452

She's a cutie!!

She's already spayed.
I can help with transport.

I know Jamie @ Hug A Bunny from when I was trying to find Wyatt a home.
She had seen him at the pet store and was also trying to find him a home.

 

[Greta]

I'm so sorry Cathy :hug1:

 

[BlueGiants]

Thanks a lot for all the support. My vet wasn't in today (she's closed on Thursday), but I left a message for her to call me when she gets a chance. I'm sure she will. I need to get the whole story. The owner said she had a "Friable Uterus". I never heard that expression before. (The owner wanted to know if I knew the rabbit had that when I sold her... huh?) I need more info from the vet.

I have offered her an older doe, as soon as she comes off her last litter. 2 years old, very calm, settled and sweet tempered. And I think a good match for her boy. I sincerely doubt they will get her spayed, but I can't argue that point with them right now. If they want a baby, I'll offer them a discount. If they want a Mini Rex, I can offer an older doe (retired from breeding and calm). That's the best I can do right now.

The call caught me at a bad time last night. My husband was home from the hospital after shoulder surgery and in horrific pain. I felt so bad, he was hurting so much, and thepainkillers they sent home were not working. If a rabbit is in pain, I can fix it... I felt helpless last night.

Thanks again for the support. It means a lot. And I appreciate you helping me think this through...

 

[Pipp]

A w w w, how stressful.

I think that just means 'fragile'. Easily torn or damaged. Leads to easy bleeding. Not sure how anybody would know that without actually looking. Wouldn't even have shown up on an x-ray, would it?I'mcurious to know what that would have meant if she was bred, too.

The person who bought herwas probably just upset and looking to lay blame and getanswers that don't exist. Sort of like yelling at God. So sorry her timing sucked so bad, and that people feel compelled to do that at all, but human nature.

Hope getting her a new bunny goes smoothly. It would be great if they take the older girl, but they may want a baby and they may expect one for free. That decision is up to you of course. It wasn't your fault, nor was it hers. So other factors -- logistics, finances, future relations, importance of placating her and your desire to do so, etc --will have to determine that one.

But you can cross that bridge when you come to it.

Here's wishing you REALLY GOOD vibes, prayers, the works.(To thehubby too!) ray: :clover: :goodluck



sorelle :hearts :hug1

 

[maherwoman]

Aww, Cathy...what a horribly rough time for you...

Were you able to get pain meds that work? I hope so...that's so tough to handle having so much pain, and tough for you to try to make someone comfortable that just can't GET comfortable. And surgery on the shoulder is so rough, too...so many things affect our shoulders...:hug:

I hope things calm down for you SOON. That's a lot to be handling all at once. Any chance you can just let the lady know that you need a few days (at least) because of your husband's surgery, so you can get things at least a little more settled with him, and be able to actually THINK STRAIGHT about this whole situation with the doe? I would understand if someone explained that to me...

Hugs and LOTS of patience to you,

Rosie*

P.S. Just have to say it again...you're so wonderful!!!

 

[BlueGiants]

The woman e-mailed me today. She would consider a Mini Rex doe as a companion for her boy. I do have a couple of retired girls (2-3 years old) that would make wonderful companion bunnies for her boy. So I'll giveher, herchoice. I understand her concern over the boy getting lonely. He's used to companionship. (He's neutered, soan intact doe would not be an issue.)

I tried to get her to come onto the Forum. She was concerned about her large boy (Flemish) and a small doe. I told her other people had similar situations with no problems. Thought other people's opinions and input would be great.

 

[TinysMom]

BlueGiants wrote:

The woman e-mailed me today. She would consider a Mini Rex doe as a companion for her boy. I do have a couple of retired girls (2-3 years old) that would make wonderful companion bunnies for her boy. So I'll giveher, herchoice. I understand her concern over the boy getting lonely. He's used to companionship. (He's neutered, soan intact doe would not be an issue.)

I tried to get her to come onto the Forum. She was concerned about her large boy (Flemish) and a small doe. I told her other people had similar situations with no problems. Thought other people's opinions and input would be great.

Tiny was 13 pounds and 3 ounces - Miss Bea is around 3 1/2 pounds.....they adored each other and got along famously.....

Peg

 

[Becknutt]

This is an extrememly unfortunate situation for anyone to be put it. I think you are a wonderful person for offering them another bun, when you are under no obligation to do so. Hopefully now that they have calmed down enough to consider getting another girl, they also realize how wonderful you are being to them.ink iris:

You may suggest to her that she bring her buck in for a date with the gals you are offering her to choose from. Maybe that would help set her at ease?

I have the opposite pairing. My doe is 12.5lbs and my buck is 5lbs.

 

[BlueGiants]

Peg, you were the first one I thought of... and a multitude of others came to mind too... I think it would benefit her so much to have others to "talk" to. I'll remind her about the Forum again. (I even wrote the address on the booklet I gave them with Cassie. As much as you think it would be perfect for someone, you can't force them to join..).

I don't mind offering them another of my girls. It's a win-win-win situation. For their bunny, for my bunny and for them.

We had a "play-date" with Cassie, and that's how they got her. I'll make sure they know they are welcome to bring their boy back again...

 

[slavetoabunny]

On the positive side, it sounds like this person is a very concerned bunny parent. One of your retired does would be getting a great pet home.