FINDING A GOOD QUALIFIED RABBIT VET

Question
I LIVE IN BRAMPTON ONTARIO.WE JUST LOST OUR MINI REX       ( BABY ) AFTER ALMOST 6 YEARS. HE WAS SICK ABOUT ONCE A YEAR.HE WOULD STOP EATING AND HAD TO BE FED BY SYRINGE AND WEE ALWAYS SEEMED TO GET HIM HEALTHY AGAIN. LAST YEAR AROUND JULY, WE TOOK HIM TO THE VET FOR HIS REGULAR VISIT. THEY INSISTED ON CLEANING HIS EARS,AFTER THAT HE COULD NOT KEEP HIS BALANCE,FELL OVER ALL THE TIME,STOPPED EATING,AND ONCE AGAIN HAD TO BE FED BY HAND FOR 56 DAYS. I PURCHASED SOME PROBIOTICS FROM THE PET MEDICINE CHEST .COM. LIKE A MIRACLE HE STARTED TO EAT. OVER THE NEXT 10 MONTHS HE SEEMED FAIRLY GOOD BUT EVERY TIME HE WANTED TO PASS STOOL HE WOULD PICK THEM OUT WITH HIS TEETH,HE WOULD NEVER JUST GO TO HIS LITTER BOX SIT AND POOP LIKE HE USED TO. FINALLY LAST SUNDAY HIS APPETITE STARTED TO DECREASE,MONDAY HE STOPPED EATING AND WAS HOLDING HIS HEAD AT A SLIGHT ANGLE. WE FED HIM THAT NIGHT AND AGAIN IN THE MORNING. MY WIFE TOOK HIM TO THE VET TUESDAY 10:00 THEY TOOK SOME SAMPLES RAN SOME X-RAYS. THEN THEY SAY HE ATE ON HIS OWN HAD A DRINK WENT TO THE BATHROOM AND WENT INTO A SEIZURE.THEY REVIVED HIM BUT HE WAS LIKE IN A COMA SO THEY LET HIM GO. WE ASKED THEM ABOUT THE TEST RESULTS THEY SAY THE X-RAYS SHOWED AN INNER EAR INFECTION,AND HIS WHITE CELLS WERE HIGH.MY WIFE AND I THINK HE DIED FROM THE STRESS AFTER ALL THE TESTING.I KNOW I AM JUST RAMBLING BUT WE LOVED BABY SO MUCH WE STILL CRY OVER HIM ,OUR HEARTS ARE BROKEN.
WE PLAN ON TAKING A TRIP TO OHIO NEXT WEEKEND TO PICK UP 2 NEW MINI REX BUCKS,HALF BROTHERS 6 WEEKS OLD.I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A REALLY GOOD VET FOR THEM SOMEONE WITH LOTS OF EXPERIENCE.

Answer
Dear Chris,

I am so sorry about your tragic, terrible loss.  Your bunny was not old, and I wish I had been able to help you before this happened.

It sounds as if your boy had chronic problems with his ears, and this often is due to molar root problems or molar spurs.  If the vets never checked for dental problems, then this suggests they might not have been as experienced with rabbits as one might hope.  There is no way to know exactly why your baby died while under the vets' care.  No one was there to see except the people who were handling him, and if there was any mishandling, then (1) it would be impossible to prove and (2) the guilty parties are not likely to own up to it.

I am surprised they didn't make more effort to revive him after the seizure.  All the rabbit vets I know would have at least made an effort, and not just "let him go" as they told you.  They might not have been able to revive him, but I have to wonder why they did not try.

From what you have described, I certainly would try to find a different vet.  You can check the list linked here to find one in your area:

www.rabbit.org/vets

And I have to say that I admire you for honoring Baby's memory by bringing two new bunnies into your heart and home.  The world has too few great bunny parents, and I am happy to know that two bunnies will have a wonderful home.

I would suggest, however, that instead of buying bunnies from a breeder, that you contact your local rabbit rescue foster home and see who's up for adoption there.  You could not only find a wonderful bunny (already spayed/neutered and healthy), but also save a life or two!  Since you mentioned that you were going to Ohio to find the two bunnies, I took the liberty of checking the web site of the two Ohio chapters of the House Rabbit Society, whose web sites are here:

http://www.ohare.org/  (Buckeye Chapter)

and here:

http://www.columbusrabbit.org/  (Columbus area)

Out of curiosity, I just had a look at the Buckeye Chapter bunnies, and I thought Lucy (a mini Rex) was adorable.  Have a look:

http://www.ohare.org/need/lucy.htm#intro

And lo and behold!  There is also a little *boy* mini-Rex for adoption!  I'll bet he and Lucy could easily be bonded as an adorable "husband and wife" (remember, they are already spayed/neutered, which will spare you that expense and worry, and will also keep the bunnies healthier than if they were intact) who would be the loves of your life, and always remind you of the special bond you had with your Baby.

Look at Pete's picture here:

http://www.ohare.org/need/pete.htm#intro

I hope you don't think I'm being forward or callous by "introducing" you to Lucy and Pete.  And of course there are lots of other bunnies there for adoption.  I just hope that you'll consider adopting a needy bunny from a rescue group, rather than encouraging more overbreeding by purchasing a bunny from a breeder.  There are so many needy bunnies out there, and I'm sure Baby would be proud and happy to know that you are helping to save them.

I know Baby will always live in your hearts.  Believe me when I say I know how broken those hearts are right now.  I know how you think you hear him moving by the couch...and he's not there.  Or is he?  Watch for signs that he's still with you, making sure his "mom" and "dad" are okay before he goes off to run with the Black Rabbit to the meadows that are always green.

I wish there was something I could say to make the pain go away.  But in my own heart, I hope that is something that Lucy and Pete (or some other lovely bunny) might be able to do, just a little bit.

I hope this helps.

Take care,

Dana