vickiem30 Posted October 12, 2008 Report Share Posted October 12, 2008 My rabbit, Rolf, is nine now and showing his age, bless him. Today I was cleaning him and noticed he'd gone quite thin. My brother and I took him to the emergancy vets. Shw said it was just old age, trimmed his teeth gave us some liquid feed to help him keep his strength up and relieved us of £45! Does anyone have any experience of looking after old rabbits? We've brought him inside and help him clean himself. He can still move about and greets us and has a guinea pig friend (I didn't know they shouldn't live together when I got them and they are too elderly to be separated). At the moment he's flaked out, worn out from his exciting day! Any advice would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickiem30 Posted October 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2008 meant to say, I didn't know they shouldn't be put together when I got them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cycas Posted October 14, 2008 Report Share Posted October 14, 2008 Oh I missed this. I have had a few that have got to reasonable ages. As you say, they tend to get a bit skinny - generally I think they go bony on top, as long as there is still a reasonable amount of tummy underneath, and their fur is in good condition, those are the main things. Otherwise I don't think it's very different to looking after younger rabbits, you do need to keep a daily eye on them to make sure they are eating properly, as they can lose condition really quickly and of course fly strike is a risk too, but that's the case for all ages. When you say you cleaned him up, does he have difficulty keeping himself clean? What is he eating? If he's having problems maintaining his weight on his current diet, it's worth experimenting to find other things he might like. Can be difficult I know if you have a chubby guineapig scoffing it all, I think that is one reason they recommend keeping them separately now. Oh, the other thing I have found with elderly buns is that because they tend to be a bit less active, you do have to keep an eye on their feet because they don't wear their claws down as fast as youngsters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LurcherGirl Posted October 14, 2008 Report Share Posted October 14, 2008 My oldest bunny will be 10 in December :-) He is a bit skinner than he used to be, but fresh veg every day help keeping weight on him. You might want to think particularly about higher calory stuff like carrots as well. Other than the fact that he is pretty much totally deaf now, he is doing well and still quite active! He doesn't need any special care as such. Vera Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LurcherGirl Posted October 14, 2008 Report Share Posted October 14, 2008 You might also want to give him some oats which can also help putting weight on a bunny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Posted October 14, 2008 Report Share Posted October 14, 2008 My oldest bunny is 12 and is a bit skinnier along his backbone than a younger rabbit, but has a bit more tummy to compensate. The next two oldest are 10 and 8 and they both look quite fit. A good thing to do is to weigh your bunny once a week and see if he really is losing weight or if his weight is just shifting to his waistline! If he is losing weight then find a really experienced bunny vet to look at his teeth and also consider a blood test to check liver/kidney function like you would for a dog or cat. I'm sure you are doing this anyway, but make sure that Rolf has lots of warm bedding during the winter. What is he eating at the moment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickiem30 Posted October 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2008 Hello Thanks for all your replies. Unfortunately Rolf died yesterday afternoon. He went for his afternoon sleep and didn't wake up. Thanks for all your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chasta Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 Sorry to hear the news about Rolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 Oh no, I'm really sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LurcherGirl Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 I'm very sorry to hear about Rolf. Run free at the Bridge, beautiful bunny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cycas Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 I am really sorry to hear you have lost Rolf. Glad to hear he went peacefully as part of his normal routine though, I always think that just falling asleep quietly must be easiest for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birdie Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 I am really sorry to read this. I was just about to right a reply when i scrolled down and saw he had gone to the bridge. My Benjamin died this year at the age of 11 1/2 and i miss him dreadfully. Maybe they will play together at rainbow bridge where their health is restored Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickiem30 Posted October 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 Thanks for all your replies. Even though he was old, it was still heartbreaking to see him lying there. The vet had asked us about having him pts, but he was comfortable and was interested in life, so we said no. I think we did the right thing, he slipped away gently in his sleep, with his friend at his side. Our worry is for dave, he is very sad at losing his friend. He is eating though, which is something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owl Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 Lots of for you and for Dave bunny. Hop free, Rolf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Dave might appreciate a new companion once he's had time to come to terms with Rolf dying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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