Hi all,
I'm just looking for some opinions on a matter that I've been avoiding thinking about but it needs to be addressed.
For the past 2 years, I have been blessed with a half English lop/velveteen lop buck named Ollie. He was my first rabbit getting back into the hobby just as a pet and a helpline for emotional support. Throughout my personal life, he's been there through a lot and really all I feel like I have sometimes. This summer, he had a UTI which I brought him to the vet for. While there, the vet had informed me that he had developed malocclusion. I know he was not born with it, and it just appeared out of nowhere. I didn't panic much and just figured I could maintain them myself easily. But I was so wrong. The first time his teeth got a considerable length, my father and I cut them with a saw which was hard in itself. Ollie hadn't been handled much or at all as a kit and since I got him we have worked but he did not enjoy the cutting one bit and made us aware. Since then, we have tried multiple times to cut them but he will fight with his everything. It has been impossible to cut them, and one of his teeth even chipped. He has gotten slimmer and just doesn't seem enthusiastic about anything anymore. While I was at the vet, they said teeth removal would be possible, with a $1,700 quote.. I don't know how great his quality of life would be without the teeth. I cannot afford that and even then surgery is very risky.. I do not know what to do. I realize that maybe putting him down may be an option that may be the best for him. But I also feel like I am taking away his young life.
I am sorry if I ramble here, but I am looking for some guidance for a direction to take. Thank you.
I'm just looking for some opinions on a matter that I've been avoiding thinking about but it needs to be addressed.
For the past 2 years, I have been blessed with a half English lop/velveteen lop buck named Ollie. He was my first rabbit getting back into the hobby just as a pet and a helpline for emotional support. Throughout my personal life, he's been there through a lot and really all I feel like I have sometimes. This summer, he had a UTI which I brought him to the vet for. While there, the vet had informed me that he had developed malocclusion. I know he was not born with it, and it just appeared out of nowhere. I didn't panic much and just figured I could maintain them myself easily. But I was so wrong. The first time his teeth got a considerable length, my father and I cut them with a saw which was hard in itself. Ollie hadn't been handled much or at all as a kit and since I got him we have worked but he did not enjoy the cutting one bit and made us aware. Since then, we have tried multiple times to cut them but he will fight with his everything. It has been impossible to cut them, and one of his teeth even chipped. He has gotten slimmer and just doesn't seem enthusiastic about anything anymore. While I was at the vet, they said teeth removal would be possible, with a $1,700 quote.. I don't know how great his quality of life would be without the teeth. I cannot afford that and even then surgery is very risky.. I do not know what to do. I realize that maybe putting him down may be an option that may be the best for him. But I also feel like I am taking away his young life.
I am sorry if I ramble here, but I am looking for some guidance for a direction to take. Thank you.