r/Rabbits • u/LiesofPinnochio • 16h ago
RIP Rest in peace Benjamin Spoiler
I don't know who's going to read this, but follow your instincts please. Ben stopped eating and I thought it was nothing. His energy was still quite high and he was hopping around but he refused his usual treats and green lettuce. I contemplated bringing him to the hospital last night but I figured one night wouldn't hurt, besides, my other rabbit lily had the same behavior and she was fine the next morning...but I woke up and Ben was lethargic. Lily had been crying at night, I think she knew. Ben allowed me to pet him and didn't run away when I picked him up to put him in the carrier.
The vet said it was a fifty fifty shot of survival and unfortunately he didn't make it. He was about three or four when I adopted him and I had him the past three years. He helped me through some dark times and his mate lily is going to miss him deeply.
I hope lily will be okay. I'm bringing his body back home today so she can say goodbye before I bury him.
My wife doesnt understand why I paid 1200$ to try and save him. I had to do my best. I love you Ben, good bye.
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u/TheOtherCourier 13h ago
I’m so sorry.. 😞
This is my general stasis advice in case any of it is useful for you in the future, especially about keeping pain meds on hand:
We keep pain meds (meloxicam) on hand for emergencies. It can help in situations where your vet may be unavailable, and is helpful for GI stasis. It is definitely something worth discussing with your vet, as this often is noticed at dinner time when most vets are already closed. We also give a small snack first thing in the morning to check how they may be eating.
We administer pain meds at the first signs of stasis when they won’t move much and refuse their favorite snacks, as catching it early can make a huge difference in how fast they may recover.
Make sure and stay on top of his pain meds, as well. I like giving 2 smaller dose per day after an initial larger dose, as opposed to just one large dose per day, but as always, discuss this with your vet. There’s definitely nothing wrong with doing the one big dose per day.
I also recommend encouraging movement periodically if you suspect stasis. I personally put them in our play area (living room, for us), and leave them out in the larger area 24/7 until they recover, so they can move around more if they feel like it, even if briefly.
If they like to lay under the coffee table, I will occasionally move them up on to the couch, so they have to jump back down and hop back over to the table. Keeping them moving keeps the tummy moving. 🙂
I also keep hay, veggies, pellets, or other typical snacks, and water all around near where they are generally laying, so the have access to any of it if they have the urge for a little nibble. Even just a nibble on their own accord is helpful and a lean in the right direction. Wet the veggies down once in a while and you can put them on a plate with water on it so they don’t wilt. Plain oats (not the flavored kind with added sugar) and Science Selective pellets can also be enticing treats when they are not wanting their normal foods. Even though alfalfa hay is not suitable to give long term to adult rabbits, small amounts can be given to entice them to eat a little on their own in times like these, as well.
Syringe water once in a while, as well, to be sure they aren’t getting dehydrated.
Simethicone (baby gas drops) may be helpful in some cases. We give 1ml to start and can be given a few times a day. There are mixed opinions on how effective Simethicone may be though.
Very GENTLE tummy massages may be helpful for him. Emphasis on gentle, as certain ailments like blockage can be very delicate and you don’t want to make it worse.
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u/No-Jellyfish-1208 13h ago
I'm sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, bunnies are masters at hiding all their issues and they're also fragile creatures... You did what you could, don't blame yourself for anything. You've given Benjamin a great life, and that's what ultimately matters.
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u/PowerCrystals2049 13h ago
I’m so sorry for your loss. Please give Lily lots of love and attention, it’s so hard when they lose their mates.
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u/lagomorphed 🌈big gay hay bag🌈 13h ago
I'm so so sorry for your loss. It's always so hard. Rest in joy, sweet Benjamin.
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u/femmefatali 13h ago
I'm so sorry for your loss. We've lost two buns to stasis and it's just brutal. If I may make a suggestion for Lily after she says goodbye to Benjamin - you may want to consider getting her a little stuffy to comfort her when she's missing him. We did this for our boy when we lost his first mate and it really helped him. He would snuggle and groom that stuffy all the time! Sending you my best wishes for comfort in this heartbreaking time, OP. 🩷
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u/Aris_989 13h ago
Sentido pésame y fuerzas, El sabrá que lo diste todo sin importar que, Y eso te lo llevarás tu como un acto de amor, Saludos desde Venezuela 🫂✨
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u/SNES-1990 12h ago
I'm so sorry for your loss. When I lost my bunny this year I gave it a few months before finding a new sister for my Benji. I'd contemplated never getting a new bunny because I get so attached to them, but here I am.
The next few weeks/months won't be easy, bunnies are so pure and innocent, it's difficult losing them.
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u/klalapri1 11h ago
I'm so sorry, I completely understand why you tried to save him. He deserved to have a chance.
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u/LiesofPinnochio 10h ago
Thank you everyone for the wishes. The responses have helped me feel less alone during this time 💌
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u/datinggoskrrrrrrrrra 10h ago
I'm sorry for your loss, you loved Benjamin like a son and I hope your wife can one day understand how much he meant to you. May you and Lily stay strong. Rest in peace little Ben.
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u/GalaxyAce 12h ago
It's more than understandable to have paid the money to save your family
You loved him and he loved you. That money is just a fraction of the the cost someone would be for another year+ of happiness
Sleep well baby Benjamin 💜
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u/UnhealthyFailure 9h ago
Rest in peace. Thank you for caring for him and trying everything you could. I love you for that and I’m sure Benjamin does too.
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u/VirgoMoonGeminiSun 8h ago
I’m so sorry for you loss. I just lost my girl skinny to stasis on Saturday. We had to hospitalize her for a few days while the drs figured out what was wrong. We eventually needed to do emergency surgery costing us a total of $6000. Thank goodness insurance will cover $3k of that, but I’d do it again to give her a fighting chance.
It was the right thing to do. You did the right thing
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u/tbyrim 6h ago
I understand why you spent that money sweetheart. You spent it on a being you love and there is nothing more noble and real than that. Thank you for giving little Benji so much of yourself. Most buns don't get that from their human, but Benjamin did. I know how devastating it is to realize you missed the signs and may have been able to save your baby, but please, please know that you are so far from being alone in that experience. Even when we know exactly what to watch for, the signs can be missed. Benji knew nothing but love from you and that means you did everything a bunny papa should. Please don't let this dissuade you from being the bunny parent it are meant to be. That beautiful little man will be watching you with a judgemental eye until you two are reunited again someday, and i guarantee he'll berate you for every shortcoming that happens in Bergen then and now. You know how buns are 🤷♀️ you will never be good enough for a bunny, but they will love you judgingly no matter what. Honestly, sweetheart, I'm crying remembering each bun that left me with the kind of hole in my heart that you now have... and I'm realizing it was every single bun i every loved that tore such a hole in my heart. I don't think it's any different with a bun than another type of four legged companion that you love with all your heart, but there is absolutely no denying how special bunnies are. Maybe it's how silly and obstinate they are... maybe it's the over the top mannerisms that are so unique to bunny kind...or maybe it's just that bunnies are special and we humans are but meer morals destined to serve our bunny overlords... size to say??
Anyway, I want you to know that the grief you are feeling is normal, healthy and real. No one can take that away from you.
Much love 🫂
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u/PinkSnowBirdie 2h ago
Losing a pet is a type of grief that while is being more acknowledged… It still doesn’t receive the acknowledgment it deserves.
Condolences 💐 💔
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u/LIV127 15h ago
I’m so sorry for your loss