Blind Bunny?

[Bad Habit]

I haven't called the vet yet, but we've been using the same vet for over a decade, and I trust her very much. She trusts the owner's judgement, and put down my ferret for less than 20$, when another vet in town wanted over 200$ for it. I don't imagine putting down a baby rabbit would be any more, when the ferret weighed as much as my buck does. Not that it matters either way, because I don't have 20$ to my name right now.

I don't know what to do. I feel like giving it all up, because I feel like a failure. I should have been looking at their eyes from the day they opened, so there wouldn't be a question if he's been like this since they opened or what. I feel like I don't have a right to breed rabbits because I don't have the moral fiber to bludgeon a rabbit to death. I feel like I failed this poor little guy. I just feel sick as hell about all of it.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

BH,

Don't beat yourself up, things happen. Just this last month after recuperating from surgery I found one rabbit with a severe malocclusion, one rabbit with severe cowhocks and one kit with Wry Neck.... All have been dispatched since. I felt bad that I had not noticed any of this earlier but you can only do what you can do. I don't routinely look at kits eyes more than just a "yes, they are open and clear" kind of check, so I don't think I would have seen it either. Talk to your vet and see if she can help you out. She may be willing to, if you ask her.

 

[MaggieJ]

I feel like I don't have a right to breed rabbits because I don't have the moral fiber to bludgeon a rabbit to death. I feel like I failed this poor little guy. I just feel sick as hell about all of it.

You are beating yourself up when there is no reason to do so. You don't lack moral fibre, far from it. You have a compassionate heart and there is nothing wrong with that. In time you may be able to deal with a situation like this on your own, but this time call your Mom's boyfriend and ask him to take care of euthanizing the bunny. The rabbit is not in pain, so there is no urgency.

As for giving up on rabbits, I think that would be a pity. You have fine ethics and a way with animals. You're not perfect... but then no one is. Take heart, give yourself a break and cheer up. (((HUGS)))

 

[MamaSheepdog]

:yeahthat:

I have another idea, Bad Habit. You need a job, right? Maybe this little bunny got sick to help you get one.

Why don't you call your Vet, and explain the situation, and ask if you can come in and clean kennels or bathe animals in exchange for the euthanasia? It might be a way to "get your foot in the door" and just might get you employed.

 

[Demamma]

MSD has a great idea. :clap2: Also is there somewhere you can volunteer till you get a job. It will show you did not just sit around twiddling fingers. :yawn: DON"TGIVE UP. I yelled that on purpose. This could of happened to anybody. buck up you are a compasinate, caring person with moral fiber to do what is right. :flex: The world needs more people with ethics. :yes: Get Bunny cared for and watch the rest. :doc: Do nothing rash. :komp_cr: We are here for you. :grouphug2: I love smilies don't you :lovers:

 

[Bad Habit]

Still no other signs, and no change in his eyes. I gave him a bit of baytril we had left over from one of the cats being sick, as that's what's recommended online for e. cuniculi. It just really bums me out that it has to be THIS litter, with the doe that I've been anxiously awaiting, that has to have a kit with something wrong.

The poor little guy seems confused, he's constantly making small noises calling for his siblings. I left him in the same cage, as he seems to know the set up, but he misses his brothers and sisters. Other than that, though, he seems fine. Still no other signs, he's eating and drinking normally.

I do think that if he's not sick, he'll make a good pet. He seems well adjusted to the eye issues, doesn't seem to run into anything or trip, and he is very calm when being held and cuddled.

So, am I good to sell the kits in 2 weeks? They'll be separate from him, and I'll obviously pull out any whom show any signs of illness. I thought I was meant to quarantine the kits and doe for 30 days +.

Thank god I had plans today, otherwise I'd be tempted to just curl up and sleep for the rest of the evening. Thinking about all this makes my head hurt. I just have to keep reminding myself that even if Lily and all these kits are infected and need to be put down, I at least have Dobby in another room, and hopefully safe, and the returned girl to continue things with if I want.

 

[skysthelimit]

I had a kit that had a blind eye in the otter litter. I watched them like a hawk, and when I noticed it wouldn't open, I washed it, and put eye drops in it. No matter what I did I could not get it to stay open. Finally when I pried it open days later, the eye was milky and the socket sunk in. The kit did well, was a nice big guy, but I knew he would need to be culled. When the time came, the litter got out of the cage, and I haven't seen that kit since. Probably 4 weeks ago.

 

[ZRabbits]

So sorry this is happening to you and that sweet bunny. I suggested a Vet because how are you to know exactly what it is. And if your other rabbits are mot safe from it. I'm fortunate to have a Meat Rabbit Savvy Vet, who like yours, doesn't charge an arm and a leg, and also has a payment plan. Walked out with a live rabbit that I brought in ill, and he's doing extremely well as we speak. Rest of my Tribe is doing well too. Ear infections aren't contagious. But it did look like something that could be. Also when I had problems with Rubeus, had the appointment set for euthansia, but the breeder came through. I knew that my Meat Rabbit Vet would make sure it was done humanely if it came to it.

I see my rabbits as Pets. I see them every day, they are part of this home. Know what responsibility to an animal is, as I knew you did. Going to someone who you trust, can help alleviate lots of questions and anxiety, that the whole tribe feels too. Believe me, know how to dispatch a rabbit if it is screaming in pain. Know I will have to do it with any peanuts. As you, don't want to have that experience, but I know there might come a time. But when illness hits, it's just different with me with my pets.

You are in our thoughts. Keep us posted.

Karen

 

[Piper]

No matter how good a breeder you are, you have the potential of peanuts and babies that have weak immune systems, because they may not have developed as well as their litter mates. I would not beat your self up over this rabbit, because there is nothing you knew to look for before. Now you will be checking your litters for both rabbits that may have weak immune systems and odd eyes.
- you can feel bad for the peanuts, too - but if a peanut got sick, you would separate and know that you were doing the best that you could do for it. This baby may just be a better developed "peanut".

 

[ZRabbits]

No matter how good a breeder you are, you have the potential of peanuts and babies that have weak immune systems, because they may not have developed as well as their litter mates. I would not beat your self up over this rabbit, because there is nothing you knew to look for before. Now you will be checking your litters for both rabbits that may have weak immune systems and odd eyes.
- you can feel bad for the peanuts, too - but if a peanut got sick, you would separate and know that you were doing the best that you could do for it. This baby may just be a better developed "peanut".

Peanuts don't survive more than a week at most. They are truly underdeveloped and very weak. Their digestive system is non-existant so their existence should be very short. They can not get nourishment.

Karen

 

[Bad Habit]

No matter how good a breeder you are, you have the potential of peanuts and babies that have weak immune systems, because they may not have developed as well as their litter mates. I would not beat your self up over this rabbit, because there is nothing you knew to look for before. Now you will be checking your litters for both rabbits that may have weak immune systems and odd eyes.
- you can feel bad for the peanuts, too - but if a peanut got sick, you would separate and know that you were doing the best that you could do for it. This baby may just be a better developed "peanut".

Peanuts don't survive more than a week at most. They are truly underdeveloped and very weak. Their digestive system is non-existant so their existence should be very short. They can not get nourishment.

Karen

I can't remember which thread it was on, but there was a thread on this board somewhere where they showed a peanut that had survived for a few years.

Man, having my rabbits all over the house and having to change my clothes and wash up so much is really increasing care time. Thank goodness I am a hand san addict, and I have bottles of that all over the house. Dobby looked so forlorn, like he'd been banished.

Still no change, though. I know it's only been 2 days, and I have a long time to go, but he's settled down, and is a lot calmer now. Doesn't seem to be calling for his siblings as much. Need to decide now if I want to really throw him for a loop and put him in the new cage and sterilize the one he's in for the others. He has the largest cage all to himself right now, so I feel bad for the other babies... But I didn't have time to sterilize it yesterday.

 

[Piper]

Peanuts don't survive more than a week at most. They are truly underdeveloped and very weak. Their digestive system is non-existant so their existence should be very short. They can not get nourishment.

Karen

Runt, then?
:hmm:

I can't remember which thread it was on, but there was a thread on this board somewhere where they showed a peanut that had survived for a few years.

I thought I remembered that, but since I could not find it for a citation, figured runt 'could' do. Thank You.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I can't remember which thread it was on, but there was a thread on this board somewhere where they showed a peanut that had survived for a few years.

I remember that- it was a mini Rex I think.

It could be that peanuts have varying degrees of deformity, and that one just got lucky and had a fully formed digestive tract. Or maybe it was just a runt.

 

[Bad Habit]

[rock]\o/[hard place]

see that person there? Yeah, that's me. In between a rock and a hard place.

So... The woman I was to sell two bucks to, emailed me back. She wants the blind buck, and the smoke pearl buck. Plans on getting them neutered as soon as their testes drop, so they can continue to live together. I explained that the blind buck is possibly sick, she doesn't care. If he survives the next 2 weeks symptom free, she wants to take him. I told her that if he comes up with any other symptoms or seems to be in pain, I would be putting him down immediately, and she said she understood that, but she's more positive than I am that he was born blind.

I don't know if it's ethical to even think about selling him. I've tried insisting that he stay here for a full month quarantine, but she said that 2 weeks was enough as far as she's concerned. She doesn't have any other rabbits in the house, so the only risk is the smoke pearl buck being infected. I don't want to be accused of selling a sick rabbit, or offloading disabled rabbits on unknowing people.

I want him to get a home, he's a very sweet little buck. I don't want her or her son to be disappointed if he ends up getting more ill, or passing away, or getting gut problems due to the move. I should have just lied and told her only the smoke pearl and blue harlequins were bucks, and just left it at that.

 

[Demamma]

That is a hard place to be. If you go ahead and let her have the blind one I would just give it. I would also write up a paper saying she is aware of the potential health problem of the said rabbit and know there is a chance of a infectious desiese. Also write in there that she refused the month long quarintine. I would also note in there that the health of the other rabbit is not guranteed since it is being housed with the sick rabbit.

Aslo a thing to think about will she let it suffer if there is no hope? good luck on your decision I am glad I don't have to decide for you.

 

[Piper]

Plans on getting them neutered

means vet will be looking at the blind buck, the vet may be able to tell you what it is.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

I would be tempted not to sell her ANY rabbits. I mean, you tell her it could be sick, could infect other rabbits, etc. and she DOESN'T care? You, as the breeder, decide IF and WHEN a rabbit will be sold. If she was pushing me like that, the sale would be off.

 

[Bad Habit]

I can understand your thoughts on this, OAF, but I think it's more of an ignorance than a willfully intending to cause harm. The kit will remain quarantined here, and she knows that he may be euth'ed still, depending on how things go. I've made very clear my thoughts on the issue, but she has said that she's seen animals born blind before, and that's what it seems like to her. I really want this buck to get a chance at a life, but I don't want to endanger other rabbits if it is a disease or something contagious.

Still no change in him, though. I check probably a half dozen times a day, to see if he's snotting, or if his eyes have gotten worse, or anything like that. He seems to be okay with the cage change, after a little confusion finding where everything was. He was bouncing around when I had him out, after he checked the perimeter of the pen he was in, and knew his boundaries. He really seems just as healthy as his siblings, and I'm hoping he stays that way. I gave him another dose of Baytril, have about 3 days left from what was left over from the cat, and if it were going to help, it would have some affect by then, right?

 

[ZRabbits]

Peanuts don't survive more than a week at most. They are truly underdeveloped and very weak. Their digestive system is non-existant so their existence should be very short. They can not get nourishment.

Karen

Runt, then?
:hmm:

I can't remember which thread it was on, but there was a thread on this board somewhere where they showed a peanut that had survived for a few years.

I thought I remembered that, but since I could not find it for a citation, figured runt 'could' do. Thank You.

Peanuts show up in dwarf breeds. It's an unfortunate part of life when two "true dwarf" genes meet. They don't make it. I would think what Bad Habit is describing is a runt or "fader". Something off kilter with a digestive system or weak immune system.

Not sure about mini-rexes and dwarf genes.

Karen

 

[GBov]

I had a NZ buck go blind - he was very old - and he did just fine for his last six months or so. Being a burrowing animal they rely on their other senses more than sight anyway so you little boy wont be as handicapped by blindness as something like a dog would.

I agree with Demamma, sell his brother and give the blind one to you buyer with a signed "You wont get me for giving you a shoddy rabbit" contract.

When I put my two mutts together I almost always get one or two that slowly fade away. Is that what you mean by "peanut"? One of them made it to 8 or 9 weeks and looked and acted fine but its genitals were formed very oddly and it died with no warning. I have stopped mixing those two buns so am waiting to see what she does with another buck. Faders are so sad.