A Loss, I Was Not Ready For., My rabbit died unexpectedly. Options

[missingsomany]

Hi everybody, this is my first post here, and I'll quickly introduce myself. I am a girl who used to volunteer a LOT at an animal shelter until some issues came up. I have 8 cats, 1 dog and fish. I have raised wild bunnies and a raccoon.

Anyway, 2 days ago my 4 yr. old rabbit died and it could be my fault. A week or 2 ago Kashmir began to have puddles of blood in her cage, and I told the vet it was in her urine, so I got her Baytril. After 4 doses, I saw that it was actually in her feces. The vet found that she had coccidia, and gave me Albon. It turns out that Baytril made it worse. After her first dose of Albon(which I'm not sure she ever swallowe) I left her alone for 2 hours. Next time I look, my fluffy, sweet bunny is dead. I don't know why, but I know I'll never forgive myself.

Ya know, when a pet dies, you think of everything you've ever said or thought about her, and regret so much. If only I could have her back again, I would do so much more.
I live only for the day that I will meet all the animals I've lost again. Life stinks!

[Caroline]

I know you must be feeling like you did something to cause poor Kashmir's death, but don't be so hard on yourself. You did what you thought you could to save him, and that is a big difference. Sometimes things like this happen, and we quickly want to place blame to help come to grips with the loss. Try not to do that, but rather focus on all the love you gave to Kashmir.
When I was a girl, my mom and I rescued a baby kitten (we took in a lot of rescues and strays) who was loaded with fleas. We wanted to clean her up and get her ready for adoption, so we immediately bathed her in a flea dip. Little did we know that the formula was WAY too strong for her little body. The next morning, we found her dead. The chemicals were just too much for her tiny body. We felt absolutely horrible and it took a long time before we forgave ourselves. We had the best of intentions, but sometimes accidents like this can happen. Kashmir may have been too sick already, and perhaps nothing you did would have changed the outcome. Don't be too hard on yourself.
I am on my way to pick up our new addition...a 2 year old stray from the animal shelter. Our Lucy died about 6 weeks ago and we want to try and give another dog a safe and loving home. I am really nervous and hope it goes well. I am so sorry for your baby Kashmir. It sounds like he had a wonderful life!

Caroline

[DJ - Edgar, Jess...]

Sweetie, you are right. Life stinks. It's unfair, horrible things happen, and we usually end up feeling short-changed. It can also be wonderful, amazing and uplifting. That's the way things are.

However - your bunny had someone to love her - something many living beings never experience. Love is an amazing and truly blessed experience. It's the light in a very dark world. It's the one thing that keeps many of us from running screaming throught the streets.

No matter how wonderful you are as a friend you will always feel as though you could have done more. And that's ok. Many people do a lot less.

You tried - and, in the end, you loved them.

[QorquisDad]

As Caroline said, you did what you thought was the right to help Kashmir. There are so many people that wouldn't have even noticed there was anything wrong until their pet was dead. There is no fault in trying to help your bunny.

I know very well what you mean when you say life stinks. When I came home from work and saw my Qorqui dead, it felt like my world had ended. It will get better. It'll take some time, but it will get better.

Please know that Kashmir felt your love, and she had a good life with a caring mom like you. Working in a shelter as much as you did, you know how poorly some animals are treated. Kashmir was very lucky to have found someone like you to be with during her time on earth.

Tim

[missingsomany]

Thanks for the support everybody, you guys are really great. And you're right, she had more than most bunnies dream of. Sometimes it just takes a while to see the bigger picture.

[Rusty's Mom]

Dear Kashmir's Mom,

I'm so sorry about your sweet bunny. You said that you felt the Baytril had something to do with Kashmir's death. Does your vet think that? I looked it up in the House Rabbit Handbook and it's listed under "useful drugs for rabbits". I (and friends of mine) have had bunnies that have taken it, without problems.

Please don't feel guilty. You did all you could to try to help Kashmir. Having regrets is very common during grief. We've all felt the same way.

I love all animals and have adopted and taken in stray dogs/cats/rabbits over the years. I currently have 3 birds, 2 bunnies and a dog. After sharing my life with Rusty for 7 + years, I have a special fondness for rabbits. Please post a picture of Kashmir, if you can.

Thinking of you,
Lynn

[Ann H]

I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Kashmir. I'm sure you did all you could for him and gave him a good life. What a darling name he had I really love it. We all do the best we can to take care of our babies but sometimes things go wrong. Our babies are so good at hiding their ilness and by the time we know what is wrong sometimes it is just to late.

In another post you asked what kink of carpet cleaner I used. I used Bissell Carpet Shampoo, pet odor & soil removal formula. I thought it would be safe to use but I almost killed Amber, the other furkitty didn't get sick from it. Amber walked across it while it was still wet and groomed her feet. She became violently ill shortly afterwards and still I had no clue what was wrong.

Amber staggered and fell, trembled and stared, she threw up white foamy looking stuff. Later she wouldn't eat or drink water it was then I rushed her to the vet. She had turned yellow before my eyes and my family and I did not see it until the vet pointed it out. I was lucky after many days in the hospital they were able to save her. I only use vinegar and water now. I found out a lot of cleaning supplies are bad for fur animals. We must educate our selves on the dangers to our babies. Never again do I want it to be at my hands that one becomes so ill because I thought it was safe!!!!
Ann

[missingsomany]

I was just at the vet's yesterday, and she seemed totally baffled by what had happened. She rattled off several things that could have killed her: bad lungs, a heart attack, circulatory problems... I have no idea, but it doesn't matter, the result was still the same.
Rusty's Mom--When I heard that Baytril could have made it worse, it was from the Vet-Tech behind thin walls, so I guess they didn't want me to know. I'm sure if it did kill her, it was only because of her unknown problem. Not the meds. fault.

Ann--That is a horrible story! But I am so glad Amber could be saved! I think I'll only use vinegar and water from now on as well. If I were you I would alert the company and get it publicized to save any future victims. Another fatal supply is the swiffer wet-jets. The dry part is fine, but the liquid is poison.

[kimberlyheide]

I am so sorry for your loss of kashmir. You did everything you knew by taking her to the vet. Kahsmir is not hurting anymore and is very much still with you in spirit.

Ann, That is very good information to know about carpet cleaners. I was unaware of that and will remember what you posted. I personally would love to rip up every piece of carpet and have wood floors, but sometimes that isn't possible.

Kim