Title: Be Careful when clipping nails!!!
Dwarf_Angel04 - March 26, 2007 06:20 PM (GMT)
Yesterday was clean out the rabbit barn day which also ment nail clippings while we were at it. I did a few myself and had a rabbit that required two people. So I called in my dad to help and we did 2 rabbits.
Then it came time for Rooster, a rabbit that's been placing high at the National shows both Dwarf Hotot specialities and ARBA convention. Well, Dad held him and I clipped. I was approaching the last nail on the back feet when Rooster flinched. I told Dad to let go of him NOW! But it was too late as the damage was done and Rooster started screaming. I walked out of the barn and sat on the grass crying knowing what just happened. I watched as he just layed in Dad's lap and watched Dad just staring at him. Dad then picked up him to see if he could move and Rooster layed in a trace in Dad's lap.
So last night I didn't sleep and just layed there trying to figure out what to do. I talked to a fellow rabbit breeder/friend and decided to take him to the vet. So Mom called while I was on my way to campus and asked the price of an x-ray ect. After given the price I told mom I didn't want to spend that much on him. Finally I gave in to just an office call and for the vet to do a reflex test as I hadn't moved him since the accident.
So right after college I came home, got Rooster and my mother in the vehicle and off to the vet we went. The staff already knew Rooster's story before we came and the vet's wife even came over for the appointment. She was right in the office with Doc, myself and mom. So Doc did the reflex test and ran his hands down Rooster's back. He sayed the back was definately broke.
So I stood there and was prepared to put him to sleep when I walked in the door. He said it was broke for sure because of the dip in his back and the reflexes being none on the right and slightly on the left. As soon as he said broken back I said "Okay, well I'll just have him put down." as I know it's A LOT of work. Then his wife picked Rooster up and started cuddling him. Doc said his chances of ever walking again are VERY slim but pointed out to me that he has a duck with paralyzed legs. He said it's a lot of work and he said honestly if I had to decided all over again I wouldn't do it. He then stared at his wife cuddling Rooster and leaned over and got a paper towel, and walked out of the room teary eyed. His wife then said "Y'all are the ones supposed to be crying not us!" I got tears and when Doc returned he told me what the process would be as a daily task. Flipping the sides he rests on, cleaning his butt etc.
So right now we are waiting to see if Rooster poops and pees. If he doesn't then we'll have to put him down as the portion of the spinal cord damaged effects his bowel movements. But right now we are having high hopes that Rooster will be an inside rabbit. My dad has always told me there will NOT be an inside rabbit but we Mom told him what Doc said his reply was "Well, it looks like we have another inside pet."
Rooster is still active as much as he can and is eating oats, nibbling on his food and he IS drinking normally. Just hoping extra hard for some type of bowel movement! Once we get bowel movements is when I'll start buying a new cage set up for Rooster.
So Mr. Rooster needs a mass amount of good vibes!!
So PLEASE be EXTRA careful when clipping rabbits nails! I don't want any of you to have to experience what I am right now. :(
Off to work on college work. I'll stop in to give y'all updates on my buddy.
I've only got one photo of Rooster and here it is....
Then it came time for Rooster, a rabbit that's been placing high at the National shows both Dwarf Hotot specialities and ARBA convention. Well, Dad held him and I clipped. I was approaching the last nail on the back feet when Rooster flinched. I told Dad to let go of him NOW! But it was too late as the damage was done and Rooster started screaming. I walked out of the barn and sat on the grass crying knowing what just happened. I watched as he just layed in Dad's lap and watched Dad just staring at him. Dad then picked up him to see if he could move and Rooster layed in a trace in Dad's lap.
So last night I didn't sleep and just layed there trying to figure out what to do. I talked to a fellow rabbit breeder/friend and decided to take him to the vet. So Mom called while I was on my way to campus and asked the price of an x-ray ect. After given the price I told mom I didn't want to spend that much on him. Finally I gave in to just an office call and for the vet to do a reflex test as I hadn't moved him since the accident.
So right after college I came home, got Rooster and my mother in the vehicle and off to the vet we went. The staff already knew Rooster's story before we came and the vet's wife even came over for the appointment. She was right in the office with Doc, myself and mom. So Doc did the reflex test and ran his hands down Rooster's back. He sayed the back was definately broke.
So I stood there and was prepared to put him to sleep when I walked in the door. He said it was broke for sure because of the dip in his back and the reflexes being none on the right and slightly on the left. As soon as he said broken back I said "Okay, well I'll just have him put down." as I know it's A LOT of work. Then his wife picked Rooster up and started cuddling him. Doc said his chances of ever walking again are VERY slim but pointed out to me that he has a duck with paralyzed legs. He said it's a lot of work and he said honestly if I had to decided all over again I wouldn't do it. He then stared at his wife cuddling Rooster and leaned over and got a paper towel, and walked out of the room teary eyed. His wife then said "Y'all are the ones supposed to be crying not us!" I got tears and when Doc returned he told me what the process would be as a daily task. Flipping the sides he rests on, cleaning his butt etc.
So right now we are waiting to see if Rooster poops and pees. If he doesn't then we'll have to put him down as the portion of the spinal cord damaged effects his bowel movements. But right now we are having high hopes that Rooster will be an inside rabbit. My dad has always told me there will NOT be an inside rabbit but we Mom told him what Doc said his reply was "Well, it looks like we have another inside pet."
Rooster is still active as much as he can and is eating oats, nibbling on his food and he IS drinking normally. Just hoping extra hard for some type of bowel movement! Once we get bowel movements is when I'll start buying a new cage set up for Rooster.
So Mr. Rooster needs a mass amount of good vibes!!
So PLEASE be EXTRA careful when clipping rabbits nails! I don't want any of you to have to experience what I am right now. :(
Off to work on college work. I'll stop in to give y'all updates on my buddy.
I've only got one photo of Rooster and here it is....
Love4Lops - March 26, 2007 07:46 PM (GMT)
:o That's so scary! I'm so sorry for Rooster, but hopefully he'll be able to live comfortably despite his injury. I'll be extra extra extra careful now when clipping the boys' nails..luckily SB stays perfectly still but Emma is impossible. Sending lots of prayers for Rooster! :angelbun:
Pet_Bunny - March 26, 2007 08:19 PM (GMT)
:cry: Poor, poor Rooster.
Praying and sending good vibes. :pray:
With Pebbles, she just sits on my lap while I clip. Once in a while she would pull her paw back before I can cut, so I am aware of that.
Praying and sending good vibes. :pray:
With Pebbles, she just sits on my lap while I clip. Once in a while she would pull her paw back before I can cut, so I am aware of that.
Bo B Bunny - March 27, 2007 03:09 AM (GMT)
OH NO! Not Rooster!
I hope and pray he gets better!!! :pray:
I hope and pray he gets better!!! :pray:
Dwarf_Angel04 - March 27, 2007 03:24 AM (GMT)
We've got 5 'pellets' and done without a dirty butt! :dance: Doesn't look like the portion of the spinal cord that effects his bowl movements was effected! Now lets wait for pee. I read that some have problems with their bladder and need it pressed a few times a day. So if he continues to poop I'll drop him by the vet for him to show me how to stimulate the bladder. I'm letting him relax and will finish clipping nails within the next few days depending on his condition. Once clipped all snap some pictures of Rooster boy to share. He's LOVING all this extra attention that he will cont. to get for the rest of his life.
The incoming weeks will be difficult because I'm not sure whether to cry or smile when I see him scooting across the floor. But eventually it will become a normal part of life.
Whelp, off to care for the rabbits, Rooster and college work then work in the morning and I just got home from work. Anyone want my new life yet? LOL! :D I'll give portions of it out, except Rooster. He's mine and ALL mine!
The incoming weeks will be difficult because I'm not sure whether to cry or smile when I see him scooting across the floor. But eventually it will become a normal part of life.
Whelp, off to care for the rabbits, Rooster and college work then work in the morning and I just got home from work. Anyone want my new life yet? LOL! :D I'll give portions of it out, except Rooster. He's mine and ALL mine!
becc_boland - March 27, 2007 05:41 AM (GMT)
I was about to say im sorry for wat happened, but its great that he pooed! (that sounds so funny!)
All my best wishes for the journey to come.. Get well soon Rooster!
All my best wishes for the journey to come.. Get well soon Rooster!
Dwarf_Angel04 - March 27, 2007 05:56 AM (GMT)
We will never be well again but we will get accustom to the new way of life. Once we figure out if Rooster can do all the proper bowel movements then it's time for trial and error to see what works best for him. After that every member of the family will have to be 'trained' to his new way of life incase for when I'm not home. My aunt has already been informed that if all is well Rooster will be at Easter with us since it's an all day thing. It's expected that he may get laughed at by those not accustom to seeing such a rabbit/movement. But he'll just throw cuddles in their face! :D
Dwarf_Angel04 - March 28, 2007 05:32 AM (GMT)
WE'VE GOT PEE!!!! :dance:
Bo B Bunny - March 28, 2007 10:35 AM (GMT)
:lol: Only we can appreciate the poos and pees of our pets!
Congrats! Please give Rooster a special cheek rub and kiss from me!
Congrats! Please give Rooster a special cheek rub and kiss from me!
Dwarf_Angel04 - March 28, 2007 07:53 PM (GMT)
Remember at ARBA Convention when we were standing in the Open Dwarf Hotots? It was Rooster's cage that we were standing at talking.
My Wooster took in the cheek rub and kiss. ;)
My Wooster took in the cheek rub and kiss. ;)
Bo B Bunny - March 29, 2007 10:21 AM (GMT)
Yes! I remembered his name! I'm glad he liked the cheek rub and kiss!
Tell him he needs to get all better and hop again!
Tell him he needs to get all better and hop again!
becc_boland - March 30, 2007 05:06 AM (GMT)
How's it all going today?
Dwarf_Angel04 - March 30, 2007 05:36 AM (GMT)
I worked 11.5 hours today so I wasn't home much but did call home for a Rooster check up.
So here's an section of an email I sent to a friend just a few minutes ago.
So here's an section of an email I sent to a friend just a few minutes ago.
| QUOTE |
| Trust me, I'm not giving up on Rooster yet and neither am I expecting to have him around. He is definately on borrowed time. I was wiping his butt and the little guy tried stealing the wet wipe and he did a few times! I was getting irritated but then started laughing because darn it..he was being active and acting like my Rooster. But before that he was on the kitchen table as I was taking care of his butt. I walked away and out of natural habit I turned around to see if he was going to get off the table but ended up getting tears knowing he wasn't going to move from that spot. Then I went over to him with tears and leaned over him giving a hug. The stinker starting licking my face and nudging me. Any of the family members can open his carrier and start petting his head but he just sits there taking in it. When I do this same thing he leans up as far as he can on his front legs wanting more attention. I'm loving all this extra 'attention' he's dishing out towards me but it's just making it all the harder at the same time. I've found myself crying a lot these past few days just by looking at him knowing how he used to act. He would never just sit there as he was truely an active rabbit and would climb out of the carriers to get attention. But then I sit there and think about all the good things he's doing- still nibbling on food and hay, drinking peeing and pooping along with dishing the love. This is truely the hardest thing I've delt with and I always said that Wry Neck was the hardest thing to see. No longer does that apply! |
Dwarf_Angel04 - March 31, 2007 11:22 AM (GMT)
Rooster passed away over night.
EDIT: Well he's in the dead postition but he's picked up his head. So he's almost gone.
EDIT: Well he's in the dead postition but he's picked up his head. So he's almost gone.
bunnee mom - March 31, 2007 02:38 PM (GMT)
OMG....I just now read this thread about Rooster. I'm so sorry to hear he passed away.
:hug:
:hug:
Dwarf_Angel04 - March 31, 2007 05:08 PM (GMT)
Instead of re-writing all this information...
Here's an email I sent to family.
Here's an email I sent to family.
| QUOTE |
| This past week has been really ruff in our household. Sunday afternoon was barn cleaning day so Dad and I were clipping nails as we took the rabbits out of their cages. We got about 6 done and 1/2 of another when we encountered an issue. I was on the last nail of Rooster's back foot when he twitched and then started SCREAMING! If you've heard a rabbit scream you will understand the need for caps! Dad let go of him but it was too late his backbone was broken. So we put Rooster in a carrier where he stayed till Monday morning when I took him to the vet to make sure it was broken and not a strained or a hip issue. Without an xray Doc said there was a definate dip in his backbone and I immediately told him to put him down. At this time Rooster was still up and alert along with drinking and nibbling on his food. He didn't appear to be in any pain and was fully active as best as he could be under the circumstances. Doc got teary eyed and explained to me that he has a duck that doesn't have useage of its legs. So he coned me into giving Rooster a chance since he was still functioning normal except no useage of his back legs. So the past few days have been spent caring for Rooster and excited to see pee and poop. I spent a lot of time sitting on the floor talking to Rooster and giving him lots of pet rubs. To show his appreication he'd nudge my hand. We had him in a bigger carrier in the foyer room were he could see in 3 rooms and felt part of the house. Everyone payed attention to him but without a reaction from him. However, all I had to do was walk in the room and he'd be alert, watching my every move and pushing his head in the air wanting pets. I had to work all day Thursday and that's when he started going down hill. Both ears were back except when I got home and he gave me one perked ear with a nudging head. This morning at 7:30 we woke to what we thought was a dead rabbit. So I got on the computer and all of a sudden Mom said "He moved!" I looked over and he moved again. So we checked to see when the vet office opened but it didn't do so until 9 am. So until it was time to leave for the rabbit show setup which also started at 9 am we left Rooster alone. However, every time I walked into the room or in Rooster's eye sight he'd lift his head up and move his front feet trying to sit up. As we were about to leave I opened his carrier to get the food bowl out he nudged my hand one last time and he recieved one last head rub were he almost sat up. After the head rub on a cold head I informed him he'd feel better if he just layed down and stopped leaning up whenever I was around. From then on he just moved his feet when I walked into the room. It wasn't until a little after 10 that Rooster was able to be put to sleep due to our normal vet being out of town and having to come back to Arcanum. Rooster was my heart bunny and still is even though he's in the backyard. When I first got Dwarf Hotots, Rooster was the buck in the trio and had me sold on the breed. He was so full of engery and required me to give him a kiss every feeding time or whenever his cage opened. He placed in the top 4 at 2004 DH Nationals, Top 10 at 2005 ARBA Convention, and 2nd at a DH Sepciality in addition to many Best of Breeds and Best Opposite Sex of Breeds. Very special little guy and it's the least I could do to have him respectively put down as he couldn't feel the shot. I'm glad the vet talked me into giving Rooster a chance as it gave me 5 more days with him. In those 5 days I became quite aware of how much I loved him and vise versa. I don't regret one second for not putting him down Monday as I cherished these past few days even though they were a lot of extra work. |
Pet_Bunny - March 31, 2007 06:20 PM (GMT)
I am sorry Amanda, Rooster is gone.
The extra time given to him was filled with life and love.
Binky Free Rooster. :angelbun:
The extra time given to him was filled with life and love.
Binky Free Rooster. :angelbun:
becc_boland - April 1, 2007 12:47 AM (GMT)
Oh my god, I'm so sorry Amanda :( The last few days of his precious life would have been great for him, with all the attention he was being given. My thoughts are with you and your family
Rest In Peace Rooster!
Rest In Peace Rooster!
Bo B Bunny - April 1, 2007 01:19 AM (GMT)
I'm so sorry Amanda! I can't tell you how sad that makes me but how good it is that you were able to enjoy his last days in such a meaningful way.
He was a cutie for sure and I know you'll miss him terribly. :hug:
He was a cutie for sure and I know you'll miss him terribly. :hug:
Dwarf_Angel04 - April 1, 2007 01:38 AM (GMT)
Thanks for the support y'all!
This has by far got to be the worse death I've dealt with in my years of rabbits (next year will be 10 yrs!). We are the ones that basically killed him yet we were helping him out when the accident happened. Just a TERRIBLE feeling!
But I'll never forget these past few days. He died knowing I love him and he tried his hardest to let me know he appreciated my assistant towards him. He'll always hold a special place in my heart.
Gawd! Don't get my wrong I love all of my animals but I've NEVER cried everytime I speak about an animal's death. Sure wish I could take time back and not clip Rooster's nails that day.
Oh how I loved my Rooster baby! :lurve:
:boohoo:
This has by far got to be the worse death I've dealt with in my years of rabbits (next year will be 10 yrs!). We are the ones that basically killed him yet we were helping him out when the accident happened. Just a TERRIBLE feeling!
But I'll never forget these past few days. He died knowing I love him and he tried his hardest to let me know he appreciated my assistant towards him. He'll always hold a special place in my heart.
Gawd! Don't get my wrong I love all of my animals but I've NEVER cried everytime I speak about an animal's death. Sure wish I could take time back and not clip Rooster's nails that day.
Oh how I loved my Rooster baby! :lurve:
:boohoo:
Bo B Bunny - April 1, 2007 01:44 AM (GMT)
I had tears well up in my eyes when I read that he had died.
I am so mooshy when it comes to that stuff. I guess I have this real sense of how innocent and helpless that most of our animals are. Sure, dogs have their ways for defending themselves, and stuff like that - but those defenses are nothing compared to the things that can hurt them in our world.
bunnies are just so sweet and tiny and all that it's worse I guess.
I am so mooshy when it comes to that stuff. I guess I have this real sense of how innocent and helpless that most of our animals are. Sure, dogs have their ways for defending themselves, and stuff like that - but those defenses are nothing compared to the things that can hurt them in our world.
bunnies are just so sweet and tiny and all that it's worse I guess.