ashley
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Post by ashley on Dec 29, 2018 17:11:55 GMT
Our bunny house guest developed an eye issue yesterday.. I just got back from the vet and the doctor believes it’s an ulcer and the eye will likely need to be removed. I have eye drops and an appointment for next Thursday to reassess and possible surgery.
I was finally able to speak to the bunny’s owner (after I got home from the appointment) and she wants to have him put down. She was going to call the vet to see about surgery cost.
Now I am in a difficult place... he’s not my bunny but if I chose to have him saved he would be. The vet seemed confident he’d have a very good life with only one eye. I was so stressed and upset that I didn’t think to ask about potential on-going health issues that may occur if his eye is missing.
Any experience or words of wisdom to share?
It’s after noon here, it’s an appropriate time to start drinking, right?
This has been a difficult fall for pets in this house — my two elderly cats both died, one cat was horrifically injured on her feet, and now I have to deal with maybe enucleating my bunny boy.
ETA: I called the vet office for an estimate for the surgery, and it will be around $1900. Which is way way more than I expected.
ETA2: after speaking to the bunny’s owner, we may consider surrendering him to a rabbit rescue. The owner called a few different vets including the vetinary school a few hours away, spoke to her friend who is a vet (but doesn’t have small animal training), and there seems to be no less expensive options out there. I’ve inquired if the rescue will be able to have the surgery performed. I hate to part with him, but if surrendering him is an option to spare his life, I will do so.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Dec 29, 2018 17:20:56 GMT
Aww, I’m sorry you’re faced with that kind of a dilemma.  I would think if the vet says the bunny will be fine with one eye I would trust that. I’ve heard of other animals that have managed, I’m sure the bunny would too especially since they usually spend a bit of time in their hutch, right? Good luck, I too would have a hard time putting down an animal that could otherwise have a decent quality of life if the malady could be properly treated. |
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ashley
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,400
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Post by ashley on Dec 29, 2018 17:40:21 GMT
I think his quality of life will be fine — he’s totally fine now, normal sweet behaviour. No lack of bunny kisses for me!!
I am more concerned the empty eye will be prone to infections, will I have to clean it after it’s healed? Stuff like that. I was too stressed to think about asking the vet. He’s a town away so I could try calling and see if I can have a few questions answered over the phone. I have a few days before I need to make any decisions.
Honestly, I was just upstairs with him and he is so loving..
He comes running to see me, climbs up on me to give kisses, rubs his chin on my feet, etc, my heart is telling me he deserves a life.
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Post by elaine on Dec 29, 2018 17:43:50 GMT
I think his quality of life will be fine — he’s totally fine now, normal sweet behaviour. No lack of bunny kisses for me!! I am more concerned the empty eye will be prone to infections, will I have to clean it after it’s healed? Stuff like that. I was too stressed to think about asking the vet. He’s a town away so I could try calling and see if I can have a few questions answered over the phone. I have a few days before I need to make any decisions. Honestly, I was just upstairs with him and he is so loving.. He comes running to see me, climbs up on me to give kisses, rubs his chin on my feet, etc, my heart is telling me he deserves a life. They would stitch the eyelid closed after removing the eyeball. There would be no empty socket to worry about cleaning. They rabbit will be just fine! |
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Post by katlady on Dec 29, 2018 17:45:12 GMT
i think when they remove an eye, they stitch up the area so there in no empty hole to see, at least that is what I notice with cats that are missing an eye or two.
Animals are resilient. I am sure he will be just as loving after the surgery. Hugs to you having to make this decision!
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Post by Outspoken on Dec 29, 2018 17:59:26 GMT
I agree! Don’t put it down if you can afford to save it. I raised bunnies for a long time. He will be fine with one eye. Stitched closed and after healing no worries.
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ashley
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Post by ashley on Dec 29, 2018 18:05:15 GMT
I can’t really afford it, I’ll likely have to borrow some money. I had $1000 in vet bills for my injured cat last month.
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Deleted
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Sept 30, 2024 17:20:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2018 18:13:52 GMT
Contact a bunny rescue. They may have the funds to help.
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trollie
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Post by trollie on Dec 29, 2018 18:27:23 GMT
How sad. I hope you can save and keep this bunny.
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ashley
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Post by ashley on Dec 29, 2018 18:27:49 GMT
Contact a bunny rescue. They may have the funds to help. I just emailed the most local one I could find to ask for assistance. Thank you for suggesting it. |
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Post by eversograceful1 on Dec 29, 2018 18:30:36 GMT
He will be fine  he sounds super sweet ❤️ |
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Post by christine58 on Dec 29, 2018 18:31:48 GMT
Is this your bunny?? If not...give it back to the owner and let that person deal with it all.
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ashley
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by ashley on Dec 29, 2018 18:33:12 GMT
Is this your bunny?? If not...give it back to the owner and let that person deal with it all. She will have him euthanized. |
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Post by christine58 on Dec 29, 2018 18:51:05 GMT
Is this your bunny?? If not...give it back to the owner and let that person deal with it all. She will have him euthanized. She's giving him to you then?? |
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ashley
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Posts: 3,400
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Post by ashley on Dec 29, 2018 18:51:12 GMT
 Here is monsieur... look at that cute little guy. |
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trollie
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Post by trollie on Dec 29, 2018 18:54:26 GMT
awwwwww.... how the hell could she want to euthanize him? |
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ashley
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Post by ashley on Dec 29, 2018 18:54:49 GMT
She will have him euthanized. She's giving him to you then?? He is currently living here indefinitely... we had him for three months, then he went to another family for a month, and we just got him back about two weeks ago. I asked when they brought him back here if we could keep him, and she said her family wasn’t quite ready to “give him up”. So they keep his pellets and hay stocked, and will pay for the vet visit today. But she sounded very certain about choosing to have him euthanized over surgery. If I chose to pay for his surgery he would certainly become my family’s permanent pet. |
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ashley
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Post by ashley on Dec 29, 2018 18:55:44 GMT
awwwwww.... how the hell could she want to euthanize him? She said she didn’t want to put him through surgery, and that she couldn’t afford it anyway (assuming it will cost $500). |
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Post by elaine on Dec 29, 2018 19:20:05 GMT
Here is monsieur... look at that cute little guy.   |
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trollie
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Post by trollie on Dec 29, 2018 19:25:53 GMT
She's giving him to you then?? He is currently living here indefinitely... we had him for three months, then he went to another family for a month, and we just got him back about two weeks ago. I asked when they brought him back here if we could keep him, and she said her family wasn’t quite ready to “give him up”. So they keep his pellets and hay stocked, and will pay for the vet visit today. But she sounded very certain about choosing to have him euthanized over surgery. If I chose to pay for his surgery he would certainly become my family’s permanent pet. For all intents and purposes they have given him up. He hasn't lived with his family for nearly 5 months. This is their pet in name only.  |
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ashley
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Posts: 3,400
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Post by ashley on Dec 29, 2018 20:28:21 GMT
He is currently living here indefinitely... we had him for three months, then he went to another family for a month, and we just got him back about two weeks ago. I asked when they brought him back here if we could keep him, and she said her family wasn’t quite ready to “give him up”. So they keep his pellets and hay stocked, and will pay for the vet visit today. But she sounded very certain about choosing to have him euthanized over surgery. If I chose to pay for his surgery he would certainly become my family’s permanent pet. For all intents and purposes they have given him up. He hasn't lived with his family for nearly 5 months. This is their pet in name only. The bunny has been shuffled around for about a year... we had him for several weeks in the spring and a few other random weekends and stuff. It’s a complicated, odd situation... |
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Deleted
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Sept 30, 2024 17:20:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2018 21:21:50 GMT
I haven't read the entire thread in fear of reading something offensive. Monocular people and pets do just fine. No need to put us down. Some of us endure massive pain, depending on the cause of enucleation and reasons for it, but most are fine. Elaine was correct: just as some people cannot wear a prosthesis, the eye is stitched up so it doesn't get infected. The bunny will adjust.
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NoWomanNoCry
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Post by NoWomanNoCry on Dec 29, 2018 21:43:27 GMT
Aww he’s so cute...I would try to find the money to save him if you can! I understand money is tight especially after the holidays and with your other vet bills..I hope that you can get assistance for the bill. Many years ago I had a cat and he had to have emergency surgery...I was in a tough place money wise but the vet let me make payments..I’ll never forget the kindness he showed me in doing that..so many you could find a vet like that. I wonder if vet schools in your area would do it on a discount?
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Deleted
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Sept 30, 2024 17:20:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2018 21:44:14 GMT
Just reading, eye drops and antibiotics should heal the ulcer c
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ashley
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Post by ashley on Dec 29, 2018 23:07:59 GMT
I haven't read the entire thread in fear of reading something offensive. Monocular people and pets do just fine. No need to put us down. Some of us endure massive pain, depending on the cause of enucleation and reasons for it, but most are fine. Elaine was correct: just as some people cannot wear a prosthesis, the eye is stitched up so it doesn't get infected. The bunny will adjust. Nothing offensive at all!! I know he’ll have an amazing quality of life. I really am just concerned about potential complications. (if this even gets to be my decision at all) |
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ashley
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Post by ashley on Dec 29, 2018 23:11:28 GMT
Just reading, eye drops and antibiotics should heal the ulcer c The advice with it, in addition to applying 4x a day, were to “also pray for a miracle” so I’m sticking with the antibiotics. And not anticipating a miracle. |
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Post by librarylady on Dec 29, 2018 23:37:05 GMT
I hope you can work this out--no reason to euthanize at this point, IMO.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2018 23:39:45 GMT
Did they give him a shot of antibiotics?
Do you have a farm store near you? You can get antibiotics there. They will show you how to give the shot.
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MissChris
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Jul 14, 2014 0:46:04 GMT
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Post by MissChris on Dec 30, 2018 0:45:22 GMT
My sweet dog developed a tumor in her eye when she was about 8 years old, so the eye had to be removed. She did amazingly well after the surgery and didn't have any problems. In fact, it only took her a few days after the surgery for her to be back to her normal self. Like others said, the area was stitched closed and it didn't take long for her fur around the area grew back. She lived a for another 2 years (Bernese Mountain Dogs tend to have a short life span), My wonderful vet told me that the two most common surgeries he does are enucleations (removal of the eye) and leg amputations. While every surgery has some chance for complications, he told me that these surgeries are very straight forward. I hope you're able to work things out. The bunny will adjust quicker than you'd imagine. Good luck to you all!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2018 0:52:57 GMT
I haven't read the entire thread in fear of reading something offensive. Monocular people and pets do just fine. No need to put us down. Some of us endure massive pain, depending on the cause of enucleation and reasons for it, but most are fine. Elaine was correct: just as some people cannot wear a prosthesis, the eye is stitched up so it doesn't get infected. The bunny will adjust. Nothing offensive at all!! I know he’ll have an amazing quality of life. I really am just concerned about potential complications. (if this even gets to be my decision at all) Just the term, "one-eyed" is offensive to a lot of monocular people. I cringe when I hear that terminology & I'm not a snowflake. That being said, I hope that his eye can be saved with good medication. I've had an enucleation at age 13 (due to a traumatic accident) and that alone wouldn't have impacted my life. It was the subsequent 40 surgeries and unusual rejection of everything that caused hardship. The removal of his eye will be pretty painless and there's not much to do after that. Good luck and thank you for saving this adorable baby! |
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I would think if the vet says the bunny will be fine with one eye I would trust that. I’ve heard of other animals that have managed, I’m sure the bunny would too especially since they usually spend a bit of time in their hutch, right? Good luck, I too would have a hard time putting down an animal that could otherwise have a decent quality of life if the malady could be properly treated.
he sounds super sweet ❤️
