BONDED RABBITS AND ONE DIES

Question
QUESTION: I have a bonded pair of rabbits, and I had to put one down do to illness. They've been together for a little over 2 years. My ill rabbit has been in and out of the vets office since late February, and also been hospitalized off and on, so of course her bonded one went with her to all appointments and stayed with her when she had to stay over through her tough times. Unfortunately I had to do the humane thing and had her put down, I did everything I could to get this rabbit healthy and 2400.00 dollars later she was not getting better, and my vet who also said it would be best. She's been hospitalized for the last week, and since she was starting to get a little worse, that's when I made the decision to have her put at piece. So for my other bunny's piece of mind, I asked the vet when she was done euthanizing her to put her in the cage with her friend and let her have closure for a couple of hours, I've read that that's the best way to give closure/grief to the bunny who lost her friend. The vet told me they were watching her a little bit to see what she would do with her friend being deceased, they said she was grooming her, and nudging her. They were Lionheads and very small and very cute, I have a Jersey Wooley that I might bond her with, I think she is a rabbit that likes companionship. So I'm wondering now that she's home, how should I care for her while she going through her grieving time, and when would it be good to maybe introduce her to a new friend. I noticed when she came home and I put her in her cage she was smelling everything, is she still looking for her, or did the 2 hour time she spent with her friend in a deceased state help her.

ANSWER: Dear Lori,

Your bunnies are very lucky to have such a sensitive, caring mom.  I think the surviving bunny will take a while to realize that her friend is not coming home, but you did the right thing by letting her see the body and say her goodbyes.

Give her extra love and attention for a few days, but don't rush a new bond just yet.  She needs a little time to adjust.

You can begin the bonding by letting the bunnies just *see* each other, perhaps separated by a baby gate in a neutral territory.  But for further bonding, please see the tips in the articles here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3okPKg9Fc8&feature=related

I hope this will help you get the bunnies together, or at least find another pal for the bereaved one.  

I am sorry for your loss, but know that with your loving help, your bunny will be fine.  And seeing her happy again will help heal the sorrow you feel for your lost bunny, too.

Take care,

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Since she's been home she seems a little down, but not to bad. She is eating, drinking, and everything else she does is normal, so I'm so happy to see that. I kept the box that the vet put her in so I can get her home to bury her, I bury all my animals at home I live on a ranch with plenty of room for that, plus it's easier on me knowing a gave her a special place on my ranch instead of the vet disposing her. So I kept the box just in case she wasn't doing well with the loss, and I would put the box with her so she could sense her, she also has the toys they shared, so she probably senses her through them. But since she's doing well should I not worry about the box, and not keep on reminding her so she can get on with her life without her.

Answer
Dear Lori,

If she's really hanging around the box a lot, then give her a little more time.  But if she's not paying particular attention to it, then it's probably safe to remove it and *gradually* remove the things that will remind her of her late friend.  

In a few days, you might consider letting her meet the other bunny just to see how they get on.

In looking back at the message I sent you before, I noticed that the URL I sent you is wrong!  (Must not have copied correctly from the next try!).  The one I *meant* to send is:

http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-a=00062824-sp00000000&sp-q=bonding&user=enter

which will help with bonding.

Sending healing thoughts.

Take care,
Dana