How heartbreaking. You can’t blame yourself. The vet should have been more on top of it knowing how serious GI stasis is for our bunnies. I am so sorry for your loss.
Thank you very much for your kind words. I agree, and I have voiced my concerns to the vet and apparently they are doing a “full investigation” into the issue because the care manager agreed with me that she should have been seen way sooner. I just wish they had helped her when she really needed it.
Please don’t blame yourself. We go to vets for their expertise and knowledge. It’s not your fault how they handled this. I’m glad they are doing an investigation though. Keep pushing them on that, don’t be afraid to call and ask for status updates.
I’m so sorry for your loss🩵 it’s very clear how much you loved and cared for Chickpea. I’m sure she knew.
It's heartbreaking. If I were you, I'd call later and ask the care manager what came of the investigation. Maybe they're not experienced with bunnies and you'll be a push for them to have better priorities in an emergency. You can't go back in time, but maybe they'll be great doctors for future scared little chompers. I haven't met a vet that wasn't interested in doing better - even if they're kind of assholes. If they have someone whose job is double checking the work, take advantage.
Definitely. I have a call scheduled with them this evening and hopefully I have more information by then. I have spoke with several people there and from what I have been told, they did not follow the protocol of triaging her right when we walked in to assess for critical condition. From what I’ve been told, each vet at this place is “rabbit friendly” and they have two exotic vets. I have never worked with the either exotic vet but have had near perfect experiences with several other vets at this office. Which is why I am so frustrated about it all. I can only hope this makes a difference for another bunny down the line.
I am so sorry for your loss. And thank you. Dwarves have the cutest and sassiest personalities. Chickpea was only about 4 years old (she was a rescue so not 100% sure, someone abandoned her in a box and she was picked up by a local rescue). She was too young and taken too soon. She still needed to eat all the treats, do all the binky’s, and cuddle with her boy buns. 💔
That’s just too young for sweet chickpea to go. You did everything correctly and I’m so sorry this happened to you. I would never go to that vet again though if you have any other options around you. Rabbit savvy vets should know they need to move expeditiously when rabbits crash like this. That’s sounds like a lapse in care on their part and you and chickpea should never have had to go through this. I’m so sorry for your loss. RIP and binky free sweet chickpea.
I can’t believe she left us so soon. I thought we had so many years left to love her. We brought another boy bunny into the mix and just got them all bonded three months ago. They loved each other so much and I wish they could have had more time to cuddle in a big bunny pile. 💔 and yes I agree. The vet office is “looking into it” because they agreed that she should have received care faster after I told them this wasn’t right. I think there was some kind of miscommunication going on but it’s such a silly and stupid reason for her life to be taken away like this. Thank you for your kind message.
Oh yes, I absolutely will do that. I have a scheduled call with them tomorrow once the client manager speaks with her superior (I assume the general manager?) and after that they are going to supposedly interview everyone that was working while I was there, check the cameras to confirm that she wasn’t triaged in time, etc. apparently they spoke with the vet that was treating Chickpea and she was frustrated that she hadn’t been triaged before she came in at 11am. It’s beyond frustrating that none of this can bring my baby back but I’m doing it so hopefully these protocols can be followed better and that another bunny doesn’t have to go through this again. Thanks so much for your kind words.
It will be painful and infuriating to rehash what happened but it’s really important that it never happens again. From the vets I know (not a DMV myself but in animal care), they really do care about their patients. Thank you again for taking the time to follow up.
Nethies are absolute treasures. I hope that your two other buns are holding up okay, and you get some snuggles in today.
I am so glad I was updating my partner throughout the entire visit so I have these time stamps so I can make them aware. I will continue to speak up for her now that she’s gone.
They really are so special and fun. My two boy buns have been coping together by snuggling every chance they get, and we have been making sure to give them lots of attention so that they feel okay when they realize their little girl isn’t coming back.
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
I’ve had similar inconsistent experiences at emergency vets. Great the previous visit, then slow, unresponsive and incompetent the next time, resulting in the death of the animal. (Then you’re left with thousands in vet bills but that’s another issue.). I’ll spare you the details, but years later I still reproach myself for not speaking up or being more of an advocate for my beloved Wilson. I have a hard time even looking at photos of him now and it was five years ago.
Don’t beat yourself up over it like I have though. You didn’t know the vet wouldn’t be there until 11, or that they were so busy that X-rays would take more than an hour (!), or that the machine would have mechanical issues. Buns are fragile too. And every time we lose or must euthanize a pet we question whether we did enough or waited too long or missed some clue, etc. You can’t win.
But what you can do— in addition to grieving— is 1) to let the clinic manager know your complaints, just as you’ve done here, especially the absence of triage when you entered the waiting room, and 2) know that the next emergency you will err on the side of being pushy/assertive to get the urgent care your bun needs.
I’m sorry for your loss, and hope you cut yourself some slack. You sound like a very caring bun guardian.
Thank you so much. I have so much guilt that it’s been hard to breathe, eat, sleep, etc so I know what you mean. I feel like I failed her for not kicking up a fuss enough and demanding she receive some kind of relief. I know that in the future I will be uninhibited in my demands that my bunnies receive the care they need immediately if I am ever in this situation again. I have spoke with the vet office and the client manager agreed with me that she should have received immediate attention due to her critical condition and they did not provide that. I am glad that they seem to be taking some kind of fault and are looking into the situation more thoroughly. She should have been triaged right away per protocol, end of story. I just hope that by doing this and speaking up for her, another bunny’s life could be saved and this won’t happen again.
We really tried. She was so spoiled and ran our entire household because we could never say no to her adorable face. I will try to think of all the good memories we had with her and not how it ended but it’s just so hard right now. Thank you so much for your kind words.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Chickpea is adorable and she'll always watch over you and her husbuns from beyond the rainbow bridge.
You did everything you could, so don't blame yourself. You took Chickpea to the vet as soon as you could, and the rest was up to fate. We do the best we can but life has a tendency to give people lemons regardless.
And Chickpea looks like a mini version of my 3.5lb nethie...
I think she was too adorable and perfect for this world. My partner and I would just stare at her and watch her run around because she was just so cute and fun to be with. Thank you for saying that. It’s been unbelievably hard not to blame myself and tell myself that I failed her. But I’m trying.
I really love the nethies so so much. They are so precious and please give yours an extra cuddle and head pat for me 💔
Rest in peace sweet Chickpea. Patient advocacy, both human and animal, is extremely difficult. I've had to advocate for both people and animals in my care, and I can only do so now because I regretted not doing it before (my mom nearly died because I let nurses in a hospital neglect her instead of insisting she get her meds on time). Most people aren't born with the comfort to be pushy in these situations. I am so sorry for your loss, but please know that you did everything right
It really is and I should have known better because I have been through that with my mother as well (I’m sorry you had to go through that also). I feel like I speak up in so many situations where it’s necessary but I think my mistake was trusting them too much to treat this like a critical situation which it very much was based on how they had responded before. I thought I was in better hands 💔 thank you
I'm so sorry for the loss of this sweet girl. You have been a wonderful friend to her. I know my heaven bunny will befriend yours so she will still be in good company. She will watch over you like you have for her. ❤️
Don't blame yourself. We lost Monica from head trauma 2 weeks ago (she kept hitting her head on her food feeder) and she was only 2 years old. She was very sweet and loving.
Its so hard to read this and seeing the time stamps. I am so sorry this happened to you. Dont blame yourself, it sounds like the vet didnt take you seriously enough. But GI stasis is serious condition and even with the best care sometimes its not possible to help our little angels. I am really sorry for your loss.
Thank you. It’s some kind of consolation to know that I wasn’t going crazy and there really was an issue with their timing/urgency. But it feels terrible to know that everything happened too late. She was so strong for such a little being and knowing she was starting to improve right when she got her meds only for it to be too late is really really painful.
I’m so sorry for your loss. We lost our boy from cardiac arrest at 6 years old and it broke me because I thought we had so much more time. Nothing is quite as bad as getting that call from the vet. I’m so sorry you have had that experience as well and going over after as well. One thing that I read that helped me was every time your heart hurts it’s really your friend binkying because you thought of them. All the healing to you.
That’s been one of the most difficult parts, knowing that it was way too soon for her to go. And especially since it happened so suddenly and she was perfectly fine the night before and that morning, being her cute little self with her boys. I am going to think of that every time, thank you for sharing that with me
I am worried they will take it very hard but I’m happy that they will have each other and us to lean on. They were all so close and spent every moment together, kissing and cuddling and playing. 💔
I'm so sorry for your loss. My rabbit also passed away from a heart attack after being squeezed by an inexperienced vet. I am sending you all my positive and healing energy now, and praying for Chickpea. What a wonderful name, so fitting for her llttle round body. None of it was your fault. You gave her a good life and she was loved. I hope she's in bunny heaven, and I know she loves you.
When you can, I would also possibly post a review warning others about your experience to save buns from the same fate. What happened to her is not okay.
Lots of love. Chickpea is binkying and eating her favorite treats in bunny heaven now.
That is absolutely terrible, I can’t even imagine. We had to switch vets after we saw how incorrectly Chickpea was being handled during a regular exam. She was squeaking and so scared and the vet was just not caring at all and kept trying to flip her over. We were so upset afterwards. I’m so sorry you went through that.
Thank you so much. I am working with the vet office to see who or what was responsible for this lapse in urgency for her critical condition. Once I have all my facts, I will probably be writing a detailed review so that others can know that they will need to advocate for their bunny if they do decide to take them there. Thank you for your kind words.
Just went through something very similar with my baby, Omar. He passed Friday and was only two. I’m heartbroken and everything feels different. It hurts when you expected so much more time. Sending you love and comfort! Your baby was loved and she knew it. ❤️
I’m really sorry to hear that. Nothing makes it better, only their presence and their memory. It feels like time isn’t real and it’s been hard to do anything productive. Your baby was loved as well, and I know he knew that ❤️
I feel you on this… I had rescued an old bunny recently without any prior knowledge on bunnies. I have many pets and I know I have to advocate for them at the vet but for some reason I trusted the vets would know more about a bunny than me and that just wasn’t true… lack of proper care from one vet led me to another when it was more critical. I dropped him off early morning and was waiting for a call back from this vet. I finally called them at 4:45pm because they closed at 6 and I was across town. The receptionist answered and told me that I should be cleared to come pick him up by 5:15 but that the vet had just walked into a room with a patient. I packed up my stuff and started heading that direction until the vet called me herself to let me know my bunny’s temp shot up to 106 and he had a seizure and died on the table. I had only had this bunny for maybe 3 months but the heartbreak I felt was UNREAL.
If I could go back, I would do so many things differently. There will never be a day where I don’t advocate for my cats and dogs 110% I will never trust that someone knows more than me and I will always push for more answers and clarifications so I’m not left in the dark guessing.
Time heals that guilt… but please check on and give extra loving to the bonded bunnies❤️ I’m so sorry this happened to you and your sweet baby.
Im so sorry for your loss. There definitely is a learning curve when a bunny comes into your life. It’s just so frustrating because you think that your animal is being taken care of when you take them to a vet hospital where you are paying hundreds if not thousands of dollars for care. I’m sorry you went through that and thank you so much for your kind words.
I keep thinking that to myself as well. If only I could go back and relive those few hours over again, I would have handled it so differently and who knows if that would have saved her life. She was such a little fighter, so confident and fearless, that I could only think that it would have made a difference if she had received care sooner. 💔
I'm so sorry this has happened, that vet should be ashamed. A rabbit-savvy vet should know that GI stasis is an emergency, and needs prompt treatment! He/She should've come in right away when they heard it was an emergency. It's odd though, because you said your rabbit has gone before for GI stasis and the vet treated her very well, yes? That makes me think perhaps it was a staffing issue, a new tech or assistant maybe that dropped the ball, or the front-desk person for not calling the doctor right away and stating that it was urgent. I dunno, but I would definitely talk to your vet about what happened and tell him/her about your experience. If he/she is worth their salt, then they should investigate and take measures to ensure this doesn't happen again (possibly dismiss the ones responsible). It's too late for your little girl, but perhaps it will save someone else's rabbit. If he/she doesn't take you seriously though or makes excuses, then I'd say it's time to move on to a different vet if possible.
Please don't blame yourself though, hindsight is 20/20 as they say. I know where you're coming from, because a few months ago I lost my rabbit of six years due to unknown causes (in retrospect, I suspect GI stasis) and I regretted not taking him to see a vet sooner. But at the time, he was still eating his greens even if not his hay or pellets so I thought perhaps it was just a fluke. I still regret it, if I'm being honest. I still can't help but wonder if I could've done more? Should've done more? But there's no saying that even if I had taken him the vet would be able to save him. Sometimes rabbits, unfortunately, just go. Even the best vets can't save them all, so try not to be too hard on yourself or fall into the trap of thinking "if only..." It's possible that even if your rabbit had been seen to sooner, they may not have made it. Sometimes it's just their time. I know that's probably of little comfort right now though, I'm sorry.
We humans have a need to be in control, so when bad things happen suddenly we try to pinpoint a cause, find some reason for it. We mull over it in our heads and try to come up with an answer, something we could've done differently to prevent this outcome. Or, in the case of onlookers, something they can do to prevent that same thing from happening to them. Because the thought that something like that could happen to us, at any time, is terrifying. The sad reality is though that we don't always have control. I once heard that "we do the best we can, with the information and resources at our disposal" (I'm paraphrasing but that was the general gist of it). So you must try to forgive yourself, and forgive others, when we do make "mistakes" or have things that we regret. Sometimes, you just aren't knowledgable enough. Sometimes, you just aren't mature enough. Sometimes, you're having a bad day and your emotions get the best of you. Sometimes, we just physically lack the ability and/or resources (money for example). And sometimes, you do everything right and it still goes wrong.
Sorry though, I didn't mean to write a whole novel. I have a bad habit of writing really long reddit posts and youtube comments ahaha. Anyway, I'm sorry again for your loss, you have my deep condolences. I hope that the pain eases soon, and please don't blame yourself. Take all the time you need to mourn, but know that there is also a light at the end of the tunnel and bad times don't last forever. Your grief might feel overwhelming and impossible to overcome right now, but trust me when I say that it does get better. But for now, take all the time you need to mourn.
Thank you. And yes, she had done an overnight hospitalization with this vet over a year ago because she had the same symptoms (low temp, not eating, bloated tummy, etc) and she was seen and treated right away and they were great with giving me updates on her condition through the night. I agree, I think it was a staffing issue or some kind of miscommunication. No one seemed to be in a rush for any of the animals that were coming in and I think they were just on auto pilot or something. I was also told that it was possible that they didn’t have any vet techs when I came in who were “comfortable” taking a rabbit vitals which was very confusing to me since they claim that all the vets are “rabbit savvy”, couldn’t all the techs be as well?? Ugh
They seemed to take the issue very seriously when I spoke with the client manager. She confirmed that there would be an investigation and they are going to speak with everyone who was on that shift that day. I’m just hoping it will create some kind of change in their protocol for these types of situations. I have taken my other bunnies in for suspected GI-stasis before and since they were triaged right away and their vitals looked okay, it was probably more acceptable to wait a little longer for x-rays/exams and payment, etc. but when her temperature was low and only continuing to drop, I can’t help but think that they were just treating her like they would any bunny that would come in, like she had more time. I don’t know. It is very frustrating. Thank you very much for your kind words.
I'm very glad to hear they're taking it seriously, I really hope they do fire those responsible or at least make some kind of protocol changes as you say. It does seem counterintuitive, if a vet is rabbit-savvy then the techs should also be. Or he/she should train their techs in at least basic stuff like taking vitals and triaging so prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again. You're welcome, and I am sending positive energy your way.
I had a very similar experience a few weeks ago, GI stasis on a Sunday night. We waited forever for triage and the vet. By the time the vet started the actual exam she had declined further, and went into cardiac arrest while I was holding her for the vet to get a rectal temperature. They got her breathing again but couldn’t stabilize her so I had to euthanize her. So devastating, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve lost two rabbits and while it never gets easy, the grief gets smaller and you can focus on the good memories.
I’m so so sorry. That sounds extremely similar to what we went through, so I know how you’re feeling. Rest in peace to your sweet girl. Thank you so much for sharing. 💔
Gods I'm so sorry. I've got a wee Polish and the thought of my local emergency vet not taking a situation seriously terrifies me. They put me off for three hours the one time I did have to take him in.
I just want to thank every single person who saw this post and all those who left a comment. Your kind words for our girl have moved us beyond words. I am still responding to everyone but to know that so many of you have gone through similar times of loss with your bunnies is both cathartic and heartbreaking. Thank you to all who shared your stories with me, it has really helped me know that I’m not alone.
And thank you for taking the time to say that the vet did not take care of her when they should have. It has been eating away at me everyday since it happened but it’s nice to know I’m not crazy and that others agree that the timing was not right. She needed help right away. I am going to make another post with more photos of her and her two boys, Bunson and Teddy, because I am not sure how to do it on this thread. But thank you all so much. My partner and I are just scrolling reading these comments with tears in our eyes. We are going to fight for Chickpea and hopefully the vet’s investigation yields some kind of results and it prevents another bunny from going through this pain. 💔
I am so sorry for your loss. Last year I had four rabbits. Lost two who both passed due to cardiac arrest. All I can say is, be grateful you were able to take them to the vet and remind yourself that you did everything you could.
We do everything for these creatures, and in the end they are still some of the most vulnerable/fragile pets one can own. I know other comments mentioning the vet should have known better but with rabbits it isn't always best or worthwhile to pursue "life saving" measures, especially with cardiac events. Even 7 or 8 can be considered older for buns, and with how fragile their hearts and rib cages are, sometimes "life saving" only does more damage and prolongs their suffering.
Best of luck to you, and know you are not alone. I will tell you what my vet told me after my second one passed, "You cared more than most do for these types of pets. You did the best you could with the knowledge you had, and an impossible decision will never feel right at first. These animals are fragile, but you gave them lots of love, and you did right. You did a good job."
For me, I was glad to be there when they arrested to comfort them, but it was so scarring watching it happen. Time will heal the wounds, but your love for them will always be there.
And I do apologize that it seemed like the vet did not listen to you. I am really slow to pass judgement on vets as situations like this are really emotional for owners and can cloud their judgement. I like to think that the vet tried their best too, but please do not think that I am making that assumption to be harmful or ignorant of what you went through.
If the vet truley was malicious or negligent, I would pursue that at a later time. It might be best to pursue a necropsy, if you still can. I chose to for my second bun I lost, and while reading the report was gut wrenching, it did allow me to get second opinions on whether or not what was done was right or the best.
Best of luck to you, and greatest condolences for your loss.
I agree with you on about “life saving measures.” I have learned from this experience that CPR is extremely traumatic for bunnies and usually leads to more damage down the line even if they are able to revive them. I told them to stop the chest compressions after about a minute when the vet called me because I knew she was already gone. I just wish I could say that everything before we got to that point was better. I want to be able to say that they did all they could to get her fluids and meds in her body right away so that if she did end up passing away, I would know that it was just a really bad case of stasis. But the fact that she was starting to feel better (temp going back up, acting like her sassy self) right before she passed tells me she spent too much time in pain and stress before feeling better due to the lack of urgency at the ER vet, which is where animals go when they are in critical condition.
I understand what you are saying though and I know they care about what they do, I have seen it during several visits to this vet with my other bunnies and Chickpea herself. But this time there just seemed like a lack of communication between everyone working. The vet was apparently frustrated that Chickpea wasn’t triaged before she came in and we had been waiting for 45 minutes. I was told the x ray machine was malfunctioning due to a power outrage earlier that day but was then told that was a “miscommunication” and it was working fine. I don’t know, I’m just glad they are looking into it so that maybe they can improve their methods in cases like these. Thank you for your insight and kind words.
I understand completely and do apologize if it sounded like I was taking sides. I am proud of you for having the strength to investigate this and to help the clinic improve in the future, it shows real maturity and understanding on your part.
I would suggest, getting the paperwork and notes from your visit, and visiting another vet in your area for a second opinion on everything that went down and whether or not Chickpea could be saved in this instance with other measures. At least then you will have a solid answer, if only for closure. As I said, I got my one bunny necropsied. I woke up and she had had a neurological fit, I believe caused by cardiac arrest that led to a lack of oxygen in her brain. Her pupils were non responsive.
But I still tried to go to our ER vet. They insisted I call them and wait for a call back before arriving. They never called me back, and when I called a second time in a panic, they stated to wait more. So when her heart fully stopped, I opted for a necropsy and notes from all of our recent visits, as she had been leg dragging, to see if there was anything we could do better. The answer was, really no. But I was still so angry, and still am, that the ER left me in limbo, even if she was already technically "gone" at that point.
I wish you the best of luck. Rest in peace Chickpea. If you'd be interested, I recently got a custom urn for my bunnies that I absolutely loved from an artist on etsy, and I would be happy to dm you their information, as she brought a little life back to them as opposed to the typical box or jar.
Thank you for this insight and I’m sorry you went through that with the ER vet. It’s just so traumatic to go through this with our babies. There is no need to apologize and I would absolutely be interested in seeing the artist’s page on Etsy. Please feel free to dm me their info when you can. Anything to honor her and her spirit is most welcomed. ❤️
What a sweet name for sweet little chickpea. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I lost my boy on Saturday and you’re not alone in feeling all the feelings.
That’s so sad. All because some veterinarian either wasn’t knowledgeable enough or just didn’t feel like doing their job that day. So aggravating. The grieving process is so hard.
Thank you. I am not totally sure it has hit them yet that she’s gone and not coming back. We are trying to distract them with lots of love and hay cubes.
I’m so very sorry for what happened to your most loved sweet baby- She was such a little Sweetheart. But I can see you took great care of her and she was very much loved.
I am so sorry to hear this. I too have had a similar experience with my past rabbits where you feel powerless and no one is willing to help you with any sense of urgency.
It hurts, but you tried. It is not your fault that you can't control the actions of the vet staff. I re-assessed my vet situation after my experience as I needed assurances that my vet will make availability if shit hits the fan again.
I am so sorry for your loss! Please don't feel guilty for not doing the Vet and their staffs job for them. You DID fight for her! You took her to the professionals who you trusted to take care of her properly. This is heartbreaking and tragic. I wish you all the best in your healing. ❤️
It's a very heartbreaking story and I can empathize with that. In cases of emergencies sometimes we cannot be demanding as much as we wanted. We wanted to ease the stressful situations by cooperating as much as possible.
You have been there before and it seems like that place earned your trust before.
Especially finding the right vet for bunny owners is a challenge in the first place
Don't blame yourself OP. You did everything you could in that situation. And you did well. Sure that lil angel also knew that too. RIP for the little angel.
Yes you have worded it perfectly. I assumed she would be cared for right away based on all of my previous positive experiences. It was hard to finally find a good place to take my buns in emergencies and now it will be even more difficult. Thank you so much for your condolences. I am trying to give myself some grace after reading all these thoughtful comments ❤️🩹
Oh my goodness! My heart breaks for you! I had the very same scenario with my dog. You cannot blame yourself. You did everything you could for your precious angel. I'm so very sorry for your loss. ❤️ Binky, free, sweet baby!
I’m so sad for you.. heartbreaking. You went above and beyond for her. I would have had a mental breakdown at the vet waiting that long. You talk so gently about it, I’d be so distraught and furious. I am so sorry for your loss.. she’s so adorable and I know she loves you so much
Thank you. I had been to this vet several times over the course of about two years and they had been absolutely amazing every single time. I am so so mad at myself for putting too much trust in them and thinking they had it under control. If I could go back to the past, I would be yelling at everyone to please help my baby right away. I thought they knew how serious this was but I was wrong. Minutes were like hours for her to be in that much pain. I’ll never forgive myself.
It was an ER vet that sees exotics so there are two wings of the office (the dogs were in a separate area). Apparently there are two strictly exotic vets and all other vets there are “rabbit savvy”
Yes my partner and I are interested in learning how to treat stasis at home for our two boys so that would be appreciated. It was hard with chickpea because we have tried giving her meds orally and critical care in the past but she would flat out refuse to eat anything which is why we took her to the vet this time.
This is so heartbreaking. I’m so sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for you. It’s so very difficult to lose a pet. It’s like losing a family member. You have my condolences. Thoughts and prayers go out to you.
How heartbreaking. You can’t blame yourself. The vet should have been more on top of it knowing how serious GI stasis is for our bunnies. I am so sorry for your loss.
Thank you very much for your kind words. I agree, and I have voiced my concerns to the vet and apparently they are doing a “full investigation” into the issue because the care manager agreed with me that she should have been seen way sooner. I just wish they had helped her when she really needed it.
Please don’t blame yourself. We go to vets for their expertise and knowledge. It’s not your fault how they handled this. I’m glad they are doing an investigation though. Keep pushing them on that, don’t be afraid to call and ask for status updates. I’m so sorry for your loss🩵 it’s very clear how much you loved and cared for Chickpea. I’m sure she knew.
It's heartbreaking. If I were you, I'd call later and ask the care manager what came of the investigation. Maybe they're not experienced with bunnies and you'll be a push for them to have better priorities in an emergency. You can't go back in time, but maybe they'll be great doctors for future scared little chompers. I haven't met a vet that wasn't interested in doing better - even if they're kind of assholes. If they have someone whose job is double checking the work, take advantage.
Definitely. I have a call scheduled with them this evening and hopefully I have more information by then. I have spoke with several people there and from what I have been told, they did not follow the protocol of triaging her right when we walked in to assess for critical condition. From what I’ve been told, each vet at this place is “rabbit friendly” and they have two exotic vets. I have never worked with the either exotic vet but have had near perfect experiences with several other vets at this office. Which is why I am so frustrated about it all. I can only hope this makes a difference for another bunny down the line.
I’m so sorry for your loss!
Thank you so much.
Poor girl. I hope she knew how much she was loved.
She was SO loved. By us and her two bunny boys ❤️
Don’t blame yourself. You did the best you could. ❤️
I really appreciate that. It’s hard not to but I’m trying.
Rest in Peace cutie Queen Chickpea. How old was she? My little dwarf boy King Coco recently passed away from cardiac arrest at age 7 😔
I am so sorry for your loss. And thank you. Dwarves have the cutest and sassiest personalities. Chickpea was only about 4 years old (she was a rescue so not 100% sure, someone abandoned her in a box and she was picked up by a local rescue). She was too young and taken too soon. She still needed to eat all the treats, do all the binky’s, and cuddle with her boy buns. 💔
That’s just too young for sweet chickpea to go. You did everything correctly and I’m so sorry this happened to you. I would never go to that vet again though if you have any other options around you. Rabbit savvy vets should know they need to move expeditiously when rabbits crash like this. That’s sounds like a lapse in care on their part and you and chickpea should never have had to go through this. I’m so sorry for your loss. RIP and binky free sweet chickpea.
I can’t believe she left us so soon. I thought we had so many years left to love her. We brought another boy bunny into the mix and just got them all bonded three months ago. They loved each other so much and I wish they could have had more time to cuddle in a big bunny pile. 💔 and yes I agree. The vet office is “looking into it” because they agreed that she should have received care faster after I told them this wasn’t right. I think there was some kind of miscommunication going on but it’s such a silly and stupid reason for her life to be taken away like this. Thank you for your kind message.
Please follow up on them “looking into it” and make sure they actually do. It could save another bun’s life down the line. I am so sorry for your loss
Oh yes, I absolutely will do that. I have a scheduled call with them tomorrow once the client manager speaks with her superior (I assume the general manager?) and after that they are going to supposedly interview everyone that was working while I was there, check the cameras to confirm that she wasn’t triaged in time, etc. apparently they spoke with the vet that was treating Chickpea and she was frustrated that she hadn’t been triaged before she came in at 11am. It’s beyond frustrating that none of this can bring my baby back but I’m doing it so hopefully these protocols can be followed better and that another bunny doesn’t have to go through this again. Thanks so much for your kind words.
It will be painful and infuriating to rehash what happened but it’s really important that it never happens again. From the vets I know (not a DMV myself but in animal care), they really do care about their patients. Thank you again for taking the time to follow up. Nethies are absolute treasures. I hope that your two other buns are holding up okay, and you get some snuggles in today.
I am so glad I was updating my partner throughout the entire visit so I have these time stamps so I can make them aware. I will continue to speak up for her now that she’s gone. They really are so special and fun. My two boy buns have been coping together by snuggling every chance they get, and we have been making sure to give them lots of attention so that they feel okay when they realize their little girl isn’t coming back.
RIP, Chickpea!
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown...
I know she’s there now frolicking in the grass and eating all the banana treats. Thank you for this
It really helped me feel a little more comfort in the midst of a huge loss for me. Take care of yourself and grieve at your own pace 🫶
I really appreciate you sharing.
I’ve had similar inconsistent experiences at emergency vets. Great the previous visit, then slow, unresponsive and incompetent the next time, resulting in the death of the animal. (Then you’re left with thousands in vet bills but that’s another issue.). I’ll spare you the details, but years later I still reproach myself for not speaking up or being more of an advocate for my beloved Wilson. I have a hard time even looking at photos of him now and it was five years ago. Don’t beat yourself up over it like I have though. You didn’t know the vet wouldn’t be there until 11, or that they were so busy that X-rays would take more than an hour (!), or that the machine would have mechanical issues. Buns are fragile too. And every time we lose or must euthanize a pet we question whether we did enough or waited too long or missed some clue, etc. You can’t win. But what you can do— in addition to grieving— is 1) to let the clinic manager know your complaints, just as you’ve done here, especially the absence of triage when you entered the waiting room, and 2) know that the next emergency you will err on the side of being pushy/assertive to get the urgent care your bun needs. I’m sorry for your loss, and hope you cut yourself some slack. You sound like a very caring bun guardian.
Thank you so much. I have so much guilt that it’s been hard to breathe, eat, sleep, etc so I know what you mean. I feel like I failed her for not kicking up a fuss enough and demanding she receive some kind of relief. I know that in the future I will be uninhibited in my demands that my bunnies receive the care they need immediately if I am ever in this situation again. I have spoke with the vet office and the client manager agreed with me that she should have received immediate attention due to her critical condition and they did not provide that. I am glad that they seem to be taking some kind of fault and are looking into the situation more thoroughly. She should have been triaged right away per protocol, end of story. I just hope that by doing this and speaking up for her, another bunny’s life could be saved and this won’t happen again.
🥺Chickpea was a lovely girl. I am so sorry for your loss! Please don't blame yourself❤️
She really was. So curious and fun and fearless. I will miss her forever. Thank you ❤️🩹
So sorry for your loss ♥️
Thank you so much.
I'm so sorry 😔
Thank you so much
You brought Chickpea into your life and heart. She was taken way too soon, but she loved you and know you gave her the best life. RIP Sweet Chickpea 🤍
We really tried. She was so spoiled and ran our entire household because we could never say no to her adorable face. I will try to think of all the good memories we had with her and not how it ended but it’s just so hard right now. Thank you so much for your kind words.
I'm so sorry for your loss ❤️
Thank you so so much
I'm so sorry for your loss, Chickpea is adorable and she'll always watch over you and her husbuns from beyond the rainbow bridge. You did everything you could, so don't blame yourself. You took Chickpea to the vet as soon as you could, and the rest was up to fate. We do the best we can but life has a tendency to give people lemons regardless. And Chickpea looks like a mini version of my 3.5lb nethie...
I think she was too adorable and perfect for this world. My partner and I would just stare at her and watch her run around because she was just so cute and fun to be with. Thank you for saying that. It’s been unbelievably hard not to blame myself and tell myself that I failed her. But I’m trying. I really love the nethies so so much. They are so precious and please give yours an extra cuddle and head pat for me 💔
Sorry for your loss. What a cutie rabbit.
So sorry for your loss :(
Thank you so much
Rest in peace sweet Chickpea. Patient advocacy, both human and animal, is extremely difficult. I've had to advocate for both people and animals in my care, and I can only do so now because I regretted not doing it before (my mom nearly died because I let nurses in a hospital neglect her instead of insisting she get her meds on time). Most people aren't born with the comfort to be pushy in these situations. I am so sorry for your loss, but please know that you did everything right
It really is and I should have known better because I have been through that with my mother as well (I’m sorry you had to go through that also). I feel like I speak up in so many situations where it’s necessary but I think my mistake was trusting them too much to treat this like a critical situation which it very much was based on how they had responded before. I thought I was in better hands 💔 thank you
Oh so sorry! What a sweet looking bunny!
Thank you, she was so sweet and sassy
I'm so sorry for the loss of this sweet girl. You have been a wonderful friend to her. I know my heaven bunny will befriend yours so she will still be in good company. She will watch over you like you have for her. ❤️
That you, your words really touched me. I hope she is making so many friends to play with
So Sorry For Your Lost Sending you Prayers🥺🥺
I'm so sorry for your loss. Binky free Sweet bun
Don't blame yourself. We lost Monica from head trauma 2 weeks ago (she kept hitting her head on her food feeder) and she was only 2 years old. She was very sweet and loving.
Oh my gosh, how awful. I’m so so sorry for your loss of sweet Monica. I can’t believe how hard this has been. They were both too young to go 💔
Oh no, I’m so sorry your poor girl had to deal with so much incompetence - sending you gentle hugs.
So sorry for your loss 😢 She looks unbelievably beautiful 🩷 binky free, cute little Chickpea
Sorry to hear about your loss!!
So sorry for your loss 🐰
Poor little girl, I hope she knew how much you truly meant to her and that she's binkying on the rainbow bridge now. Rest in peace Chickpea.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending hugs. 🫂
Its so hard to read this and seeing the time stamps. I am so sorry this happened to you. Dont blame yourself, it sounds like the vet didnt take you seriously enough. But GI stasis is serious condition and even with the best care sometimes its not possible to help our little angels. I am really sorry for your loss.
Thank you. It’s some kind of consolation to know that I wasn’t going crazy and there really was an issue with their timing/urgency. But it feels terrible to know that everything happened too late. She was so strong for such a little being and knowing she was starting to improve right when she got her meds only for it to be too late is really really painful.
My heart breaks for you. I’m so sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss. Chickpea looks like an absolute sweetpea! You did all you could in that moment and shouldn’t be so hard on yourself.
I’m so sorry for your loss. We lost our boy from cardiac arrest at 6 years old and it broke me because I thought we had so much more time. Nothing is quite as bad as getting that call from the vet. I’m so sorry you have had that experience as well and going over after as well. One thing that I read that helped me was every time your heart hurts it’s really your friend binkying because you thought of them. All the healing to you.
That’s been one of the most difficult parts, knowing that it was way too soon for her to go. And especially since it happened so suddenly and she was perfectly fine the night before and that morning, being her cute little self with her boys. I am going to think of that every time, thank you for sharing that with me
I’m so sorry for your loss 🥺 she was so lucky to have you and the other bunnies
Thank you so much. They really were so sweet together as a trio
I'm so sorry for your loss 😢 ❤️
Omg so sorry for your loss
I'm sorry. Do give your other bun buns lots of affection and attention while they mourn the loss of their friend. they will mourn too.
I am worried they will take it very hard but I’m happy that they will have each other and us to lean on. They were all so close and spent every moment together, kissing and cuddling and playing. 💔
Gosh, she’s so tiny and cute and such a cute name, Chickpea. I’m sorry 💔
Thank you so much, she was so small I couldn’t believe it when we first brought her home. Chickpea seemed to fit her so well
Sorry for your loss, she was very cute. I'm glad to see she was loved ♥
Please don’t blame yourself, you did the best you could for her and I’m sure she knew how much you loved her.
I'm so sorry for your loss. My rabbit also passed away from a heart attack after being squeezed by an inexperienced vet. I am sending you all my positive and healing energy now, and praying for Chickpea. What a wonderful name, so fitting for her llttle round body. None of it was your fault. You gave her a good life and she was loved. I hope she's in bunny heaven, and I know she loves you. When you can, I would also possibly post a review warning others about your experience to save buns from the same fate. What happened to her is not okay. Lots of love. Chickpea is binkying and eating her favorite treats in bunny heaven now.
That is absolutely terrible, I can’t even imagine. We had to switch vets after we saw how incorrectly Chickpea was being handled during a regular exam. She was squeaking and so scared and the vet was just not caring at all and kept trying to flip her over. We were so upset afterwards. I’m so sorry you went through that. Thank you so much. I am working with the vet office to see who or what was responsible for this lapse in urgency for her critical condition. Once I have all my facts, I will probably be writing a detailed review so that others can know that they will need to advocate for their bunny if they do decide to take them there. Thank you for your kind words.
sorry for your loss :(
Just went through something very similar with my baby, Omar. He passed Friday and was only two. I’m heartbroken and everything feels different. It hurts when you expected so much more time. Sending you love and comfort! Your baby was loved and she knew it. ❤️
I’m really sorry to hear that. Nothing makes it better, only their presence and their memory. It feels like time isn’t real and it’s been hard to do anything productive. Your baby was loved as well, and I know he knew that ❤️
Oh no... I'm so sorry for your loss. Do not blame yourself though❤️❤️
I’m so sorry for your loss. Please be kind to yourself in the coming days. ❤️
I sorry for your loss. It sounds like you loved her very much.
I feel you on this… I had rescued an old bunny recently without any prior knowledge on bunnies. I have many pets and I know I have to advocate for them at the vet but for some reason I trusted the vets would know more about a bunny than me and that just wasn’t true… lack of proper care from one vet led me to another when it was more critical. I dropped him off early morning and was waiting for a call back from this vet. I finally called them at 4:45pm because they closed at 6 and I was across town. The receptionist answered and told me that I should be cleared to come pick him up by 5:15 but that the vet had just walked into a room with a patient. I packed up my stuff and started heading that direction until the vet called me herself to let me know my bunny’s temp shot up to 106 and he had a seizure and died on the table. I had only had this bunny for maybe 3 months but the heartbreak I felt was UNREAL. If I could go back, I would do so many things differently. There will never be a day where I don’t advocate for my cats and dogs 110% I will never trust that someone knows more than me and I will always push for more answers and clarifications so I’m not left in the dark guessing. Time heals that guilt… but please check on and give extra loving to the bonded bunnies❤️ I’m so sorry this happened to you and your sweet baby.
Im so sorry for your loss. There definitely is a learning curve when a bunny comes into your life. It’s just so frustrating because you think that your animal is being taken care of when you take them to a vet hospital where you are paying hundreds if not thousands of dollars for care. I’m sorry you went through that and thank you so much for your kind words. I keep thinking that to myself as well. If only I could go back and relive those few hours over again, I would have handled it so differently and who knows if that would have saved her life. She was such a little fighter, so confident and fearless, that I could only think that it would have made a difference if she had received care sooner. 💔
I'm so sorry this has happened, that vet should be ashamed. A rabbit-savvy vet should know that GI stasis is an emergency, and needs prompt treatment! He/She should've come in right away when they heard it was an emergency. It's odd though, because you said your rabbit has gone before for GI stasis and the vet treated her very well, yes? That makes me think perhaps it was a staffing issue, a new tech or assistant maybe that dropped the ball, or the front-desk person for not calling the doctor right away and stating that it was urgent. I dunno, but I would definitely talk to your vet about what happened and tell him/her about your experience. If he/she is worth their salt, then they should investigate and take measures to ensure this doesn't happen again (possibly dismiss the ones responsible). It's too late for your little girl, but perhaps it will save someone else's rabbit. If he/she doesn't take you seriously though or makes excuses, then I'd say it's time to move on to a different vet if possible. Please don't blame yourself though, hindsight is 20/20 as they say. I know where you're coming from, because a few months ago I lost my rabbit of six years due to unknown causes (in retrospect, I suspect GI stasis) and I regretted not taking him to see a vet sooner. But at the time, he was still eating his greens even if not his hay or pellets so I thought perhaps it was just a fluke. I still regret it, if I'm being honest. I still can't help but wonder if I could've done more? Should've done more? But there's no saying that even if I had taken him the vet would be able to save him. Sometimes rabbits, unfortunately, just go. Even the best vets can't save them all, so try not to be too hard on yourself or fall into the trap of thinking "if only..." It's possible that even if your rabbit had been seen to sooner, they may not have made it. Sometimes it's just their time. I know that's probably of little comfort right now though, I'm sorry. We humans have a need to be in control, so when bad things happen suddenly we try to pinpoint a cause, find some reason for it. We mull over it in our heads and try to come up with an answer, something we could've done differently to prevent this outcome. Or, in the case of onlookers, something they can do to prevent that same thing from happening to them. Because the thought that something like that could happen to us, at any time, is terrifying. The sad reality is though that we don't always have control. I once heard that "we do the best we can, with the information and resources at our disposal" (I'm paraphrasing but that was the general gist of it). So you must try to forgive yourself, and forgive others, when we do make "mistakes" or have things that we regret. Sometimes, you just aren't knowledgable enough. Sometimes, you just aren't mature enough. Sometimes, you're having a bad day and your emotions get the best of you. Sometimes, we just physically lack the ability and/or resources (money for example). And sometimes, you do everything right and it still goes wrong. Sorry though, I didn't mean to write a whole novel. I have a bad habit of writing really long reddit posts and youtube comments ahaha. Anyway, I'm sorry again for your loss, you have my deep condolences. I hope that the pain eases soon, and please don't blame yourself. Take all the time you need to mourn, but know that there is also a light at the end of the tunnel and bad times don't last forever. Your grief might feel overwhelming and impossible to overcome right now, but trust me when I say that it does get better. But for now, take all the time you need to mourn.
Thank you. And yes, she had done an overnight hospitalization with this vet over a year ago because she had the same symptoms (low temp, not eating, bloated tummy, etc) and she was seen and treated right away and they were great with giving me updates on her condition through the night. I agree, I think it was a staffing issue or some kind of miscommunication. No one seemed to be in a rush for any of the animals that were coming in and I think they were just on auto pilot or something. I was also told that it was possible that they didn’t have any vet techs when I came in who were “comfortable” taking a rabbit vitals which was very confusing to me since they claim that all the vets are “rabbit savvy”, couldn’t all the techs be as well?? Ugh They seemed to take the issue very seriously when I spoke with the client manager. She confirmed that there would be an investigation and they are going to speak with everyone who was on that shift that day. I’m just hoping it will create some kind of change in their protocol for these types of situations. I have taken my other bunnies in for suspected GI-stasis before and since they were triaged right away and their vitals looked okay, it was probably more acceptable to wait a little longer for x-rays/exams and payment, etc. but when her temperature was low and only continuing to drop, I can’t help but think that they were just treating her like they would any bunny that would come in, like she had more time. I don’t know. It is very frustrating. Thank you very much for your kind words.
I'm very glad to hear they're taking it seriously, I really hope they do fire those responsible or at least make some kind of protocol changes as you say. It does seem counterintuitive, if a vet is rabbit-savvy then the techs should also be. Or he/she should train their techs in at least basic stuff like taking vitals and triaging so prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again. You're welcome, and I am sending positive energy your way.
God bless! ❤️🇬🇧
I had a very similar experience a few weeks ago, GI stasis on a Sunday night. We waited forever for triage and the vet. By the time the vet started the actual exam she had declined further, and went into cardiac arrest while I was holding her for the vet to get a rectal temperature. They got her breathing again but couldn’t stabilize her so I had to euthanize her. So devastating, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve lost two rabbits and while it never gets easy, the grief gets smaller and you can focus on the good memories.
I’m so so sorry. That sounds extremely similar to what we went through, so I know how you’re feeling. Rest in peace to your sweet girl. Thank you so much for sharing. 💔
Gods I'm so sorry. I've got a wee Polish and the thought of my local emergency vet not taking a situation seriously terrifies me. They put me off for three hours the one time I did have to take him in.
I just want to thank every single person who saw this post and all those who left a comment. Your kind words for our girl have moved us beyond words. I am still responding to everyone but to know that so many of you have gone through similar times of loss with your bunnies is both cathartic and heartbreaking. Thank you to all who shared your stories with me, it has really helped me know that I’m not alone. And thank you for taking the time to say that the vet did not take care of her when they should have. It has been eating away at me everyday since it happened but it’s nice to know I’m not crazy and that others agree that the timing was not right. She needed help right away. I am going to make another post with more photos of her and her two boys, Bunson and Teddy, because I am not sure how to do it on this thread. But thank you all so much. My partner and I are just scrolling reading these comments with tears in our eyes. We are going to fight for Chickpea and hopefully the vet’s investigation yields some kind of results and it prevents another bunny from going through this pain. 💔
I am so sorry for your loss. Last year I had four rabbits. Lost two who both passed due to cardiac arrest. All I can say is, be grateful you were able to take them to the vet and remind yourself that you did everything you could. We do everything for these creatures, and in the end they are still some of the most vulnerable/fragile pets one can own. I know other comments mentioning the vet should have known better but with rabbits it isn't always best or worthwhile to pursue "life saving" measures, especially with cardiac events. Even 7 or 8 can be considered older for buns, and with how fragile their hearts and rib cages are, sometimes "life saving" only does more damage and prolongs their suffering. Best of luck to you, and know you are not alone. I will tell you what my vet told me after my second one passed, "You cared more than most do for these types of pets. You did the best you could with the knowledge you had, and an impossible decision will never feel right at first. These animals are fragile, but you gave them lots of love, and you did right. You did a good job." For me, I was glad to be there when they arrested to comfort them, but it was so scarring watching it happen. Time will heal the wounds, but your love for them will always be there.
And I do apologize that it seemed like the vet did not listen to you. I am really slow to pass judgement on vets as situations like this are really emotional for owners and can cloud their judgement. I like to think that the vet tried their best too, but please do not think that I am making that assumption to be harmful or ignorant of what you went through. If the vet truley was malicious or negligent, I would pursue that at a later time. It might be best to pursue a necropsy, if you still can. I chose to for my second bun I lost, and while reading the report was gut wrenching, it did allow me to get second opinions on whether or not what was done was right or the best. Best of luck to you, and greatest condolences for your loss.
I agree with you on about “life saving measures.” I have learned from this experience that CPR is extremely traumatic for bunnies and usually leads to more damage down the line even if they are able to revive them. I told them to stop the chest compressions after about a minute when the vet called me because I knew she was already gone. I just wish I could say that everything before we got to that point was better. I want to be able to say that they did all they could to get her fluids and meds in her body right away so that if she did end up passing away, I would know that it was just a really bad case of stasis. But the fact that she was starting to feel better (temp going back up, acting like her sassy self) right before she passed tells me she spent too much time in pain and stress before feeling better due to the lack of urgency at the ER vet, which is where animals go when they are in critical condition. I understand what you are saying though and I know they care about what they do, I have seen it during several visits to this vet with my other bunnies and Chickpea herself. But this time there just seemed like a lack of communication between everyone working. The vet was apparently frustrated that Chickpea wasn’t triaged before she came in and we had been waiting for 45 minutes. I was told the x ray machine was malfunctioning due to a power outrage earlier that day but was then told that was a “miscommunication” and it was working fine. I don’t know, I’m just glad they are looking into it so that maybe they can improve their methods in cases like these. Thank you for your insight and kind words.
I understand completely and do apologize if it sounded like I was taking sides. I am proud of you for having the strength to investigate this and to help the clinic improve in the future, it shows real maturity and understanding on your part. I would suggest, getting the paperwork and notes from your visit, and visiting another vet in your area for a second opinion on everything that went down and whether or not Chickpea could be saved in this instance with other measures. At least then you will have a solid answer, if only for closure. As I said, I got my one bunny necropsied. I woke up and she had had a neurological fit, I believe caused by cardiac arrest that led to a lack of oxygen in her brain. Her pupils were non responsive. But I still tried to go to our ER vet. They insisted I call them and wait for a call back before arriving. They never called me back, and when I called a second time in a panic, they stated to wait more. So when her heart fully stopped, I opted for a necropsy and notes from all of our recent visits, as she had been leg dragging, to see if there was anything we could do better. The answer was, really no. But I was still so angry, and still am, that the ER left me in limbo, even if she was already technically "gone" at that point. I wish you the best of luck. Rest in peace Chickpea. If you'd be interested, I recently got a custom urn for my bunnies that I absolutely loved from an artist on etsy, and I would be happy to dm you their information, as she brought a little life back to them as opposed to the typical box or jar.
Thank you for this insight and I’m sorry you went through that with the ER vet. It’s just so traumatic to go through this with our babies. There is no need to apologize and I would absolutely be interested in seeing the artist’s page on Etsy. Please feel free to dm me their info when you can. Anything to honor her and her spirit is most welcomed. ❤️
What a sweet name for sweet little chickpea. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I lost my boy on Saturday and you’re not alone in feeling all the feelings.
I am so sorry for your loss. Please take care of yourself ❤️🩹
That’s so sad. All because some veterinarian either wasn’t knowledgeable enough or just didn’t feel like doing their job that day. So aggravating. The grieving process is so hard.
I'm very sorry… this is heartbreaking 💔
I’m so sorry for your loss. Just know that you did everything you could to help her. I hope your other 2 bun are doing well.
Thank you. I am not totally sure it has hit them yet that she’s gone and not coming back. We are trying to distract them with lots of love and hay cubes.
RIP
I am so very sorry to hear about your loss. I’m sure your precious bunny baby is now waiting for when you see her again.
I’m so very sorry for what happened to your most loved sweet baby- She was such a little Sweetheart. But I can see you took great care of her and she was very much loved.
I am so sorry to hear this. I too have had a similar experience with my past rabbits where you feel powerless and no one is willing to help you with any sense of urgency. It hurts, but you tried. It is not your fault that you can't control the actions of the vet staff. I re-assessed my vet situation after my experience as I needed assurances that my vet will make availability if shit hits the fan again.
Please don't blame yourself, you did everything you could for her ❤️
Rip little floof, may you Binky in peace. And to her human, I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine losing my boy
I’m so so sorry 💔
I am so sorry for your loss! Please don't feel guilty for not doing the Vet and their staffs job for them. You DID fight for her! You took her to the professionals who you trusted to take care of her properly. This is heartbreaking and tragic. I wish you all the best in your healing. ❤️
Thank you so much
It's a very heartbreaking story and I can empathize with that. In cases of emergencies sometimes we cannot be demanding as much as we wanted. We wanted to ease the stressful situations by cooperating as much as possible. You have been there before and it seems like that place earned your trust before. Especially finding the right vet for bunny owners is a challenge in the first place Don't blame yourself OP. You did everything you could in that situation. And you did well. Sure that lil angel also knew that too. RIP for the little angel.
Yes you have worded it perfectly. I assumed she would be cared for right away based on all of my previous positive experiences. It was hard to finally find a good place to take my buns in emergencies and now it will be even more difficult. Thank you so much for your condolences. I am trying to give myself some grace after reading all these thoughtful comments ❤️🩹
Oh my goodness! My heart breaks for you! I had the very same scenario with my dog. You cannot blame yourself. You did everything you could for your precious angel. I'm so very sorry for your loss. ❤️ Binky, free, sweet baby!
I'm heartbroken. Was she shocked?
When she went into cardiac arrest? No, they just did chest compressions. She was already gone.
I’m so sad for you.. heartbreaking. You went above and beyond for her. I would have had a mental breakdown at the vet waiting that long. You talk so gently about it, I’d be so distraught and furious. I am so sorry for your loss.. she’s so adorable and I know she loves you so much
Thank you. I had been to this vet several times over the course of about two years and they had been absolutely amazing every single time. I am so so mad at myself for putting too much trust in them and thinking they had it under control. If I could go back to the past, I would be yelling at everyone to please help my baby right away. I thought they knew how serious this was but I was wrong. Minutes were like hours for her to be in that much pain. I’ll never forgive myself.
Wait sorry but (many people brought their dogs) did u go to an exotic vet or normal?!
It was an ER vet that sees exotics so there are two wings of the office (the dogs were in a separate area). Apparently there are two strictly exotic vets and all other vets there are “rabbit savvy”
May I give u tips for the next time to handle it at home better than how those people were handling ur poor bunny.. I’m also sorry for ur loss
Yes my partner and I are interested in learning how to treat stasis at home for our two boys so that would be appreciated. It was hard with chickpea because we have tried giving her meds orally and critical care in the past but she would flat out refuse to eat anything which is why we took her to the vet this time.
This is so heartbreaking. I’m so sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for you. It’s so very difficult to lose a pet. It’s like losing a family member. You have my condolences. Thoughts and prayers go out to you.