Last Thursday I had to put my little bunny Coco under euthanasia. She was a rescue that spent almost 4 years with me and Pete E., my very first bunny that died a year ago last November. I have another rabbit named Pilgrim and a cat named Gabriel.

A couple of years ago she started having issues with a dental disease and had to have monthly tooth trims under anesthisia. This remedy kept things at bay and was very costly. There was much trouble brewing in the roots of her teeth, though. She got her last tooth trim a few weeks ago and lately had just not been eating as well, also she'd been grumpier than usual, too. I gave her baby aspirin morning and nite, she was a house bunny so she had the run of the house. I noticed some issue with her eye and thought maybe it was caused by a fight her & Pilgrim had a few weeks ago. (they never did like each other & I've had to keep them separate from the beginning) The vet thought she had an ulcer on her eye and maybe an abscess behind it, gave me drops and penicillin which had to be given subcutaneously every other day. She got the first shot, I had to syringe feed her as she wasn't very interested in eating. The next morning I noticed a lump under her chin and took her back to the vet.

The rabbit expert wasn't in, they asked if they could keep her overnight, giving her pain meds and syringe feeding her. The next morning the rabbit expert was in and took x-rays. Sure enough, the dental disease had progressed very much and she had a lot of pressure from the abscess that was now fully in her mouth and head. The dental disease is progressive and we'd done good keeping her healthy and mostly happy the last couple of years. When I saw how swollen she was I knew the right decision was to let her go and release her from the pain.

It was very very sad and still is. I miss her and question whether I waited too long to have it done, did I cause her stress on Saturday when she & Pilgrim went to the church for "Fun with Bunny?" It was her 3rd annual appearance and she didn't seem to enjoy it as much as usual. Bunnies just don't give us a lot of signals about what is going on with them!

When she felt good, in the mornings she'd come running out so I'd give her a little banana slice dipped in crushed baby aspirin. Then I'd give her a plate of veggies. She'd get fresh pellets with uncooked oatmeal. At night she would get apple slices with her plate of veggies. I want to believe she was spoiled and had as good a life as any rabbit or animal could have. She enjoyed being petted at her wanting or from the top of the bed. Occasionally, she would hop up on the bed in the middle of the nite to see if I was paying attention.

It was so very hard to leave the vet with a heavy cage and know the little heart of my beloved Coco bunny was no longer beating. Coco is the 3rd bunny I've had die, the first one that I've had to make the decision to end her life. I can't keep doing this. As much as I love bunnies and believe in housebunnies, their little lives seem to be too short. Pilgrim will be the last of the bunny dynasty.

Pilgrim and Gabriel are the men in the house and are trying to keep me going. I'm glad I found this site to share with others that understand the importance of animals in our lives and how much the loss hurts. This week sucks and I really haven't wanted to do much of anything, getting through work is hard enough.

Thanks for listening. Guess I'm going to have to come back to add a picture. For some reason it's not letting me attach one. Coco was a cutie...

last try tonite to add a pic...

Coco is such a very beautiful girl and was so fortunate to have found such a loving and caring home with you.
Bunnys are such beautiful babies, but so sadly, their little lives are not as long as we would like, and it is always so very very sad when we lose them.
You did everything you possibly could for her, nobody could have done more. It seems that the time was exactly right. Neither too early, nor too late. If you had done it earlier, you would always have been left with the feeling that her little life ended too soon, so please don't doubt your judgement as to when the time was right. You were her Mommy and you did the very best you possibly could for your dear little girl.

Her little aspirins each morning kept her free from pain, and she enjoyed life almost right up to the end. You did all you could for your precious baby. I hope Pilgrim and your kitty Gabriel are giving you comfort in the sad loss of baby Coco

Thinking of you
with love
jilly

Oh your Coco was indeed a beautiful baby. I am so glad you took her in and gave her a wonderful home. Coco was very well loved and taken care of. She must have loved all her food and treats. I am so sorry you lost your sweet doll.
Ann

Dear Coco's Mom,

My deepest sympathy to you on the loss of your sweet Coco. She was so very cute! Please don't feel guilty that you didn't do enough for her. You have to believe that you gave her the best life possible.............no hutch in the backyard for her! You took her to the vet when she needed it and they did everything possible for her, also. I know that treating dental problems in rabbits is difficult and abcesses are quite common.

Since I've joined LS, there's only been one other member who's lost a bunny. My precious Rusty (total house bunny - no cage) died on December 8th of last year. I was and still am devastated. We currently have two other rabbits (both rescues). We lost another bunny (former foster) this past February. We currently also have a dog and 3 birds. I will never have another bunny, after our remaining two go. It's too painful and their lives aren't long enough.

Hang in there. Things will get better .........It just takes time. Everyone here is extremely caring and will help you through your grief.

Thinking of you.

Lynn

I am so sorry for your loss of your dear Coco Bunny ~ what a sweet adorable little thing ~ and so loved ~ It warms my heart to know there are people like you out there to love and care for these little defenseless beings ~ My friend had a Bunny named Lisa and we all loved her like a family member of theirs ~ they touch our hearts and trust us to help them ~ you did the right thing ~ you loved and cared for her ~ you took away her pain ~ you sent her on the journey from her earthly life in a cloud of forever love ~ I feel the same way about my dear Amber Tabby ~ gone from me after nearly 20 years ~ I think they are forever surrounded with our love where ever they may be ~ and also in our hearts ~ Peace Be With You ~ Kathryn, Angel Amber and C.C.

Coco was absolutely adorable. I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you gave her gave a wonderful life.

You're in my thoughts.
Kathleen

Coco was absolutely beautiful! I have always loved rabbits, although it's one of the few animals I have not had as a pet. I am so sorry for your loss. She looks like such a sweet girl.

It sounds like you did everything you possibly could for her. I know you gave her a loving home and spent lots of time with her. It is sad that our furbabies all have lives that are so much shorter than ours - we all understand your pain.

Nancy