Darcy Update

Hi all!

Thanks so much for all the well-wishes for Darcy. She is doing much better! After talking to the vets, since Gabriel never got sick (meaning it wasn't the food) we think the problem is arthritis in her back and hips. It seems that she's been hiding the pain for a while, and eventually just started to shut down from it (as bunnies tend to do). Looking back, I can think of things that seemed relatively normal or unimportant at the time, but may have been indications of a problem. We've got her on pain meds, and the vet says that keeping her on them indefinitely is not a problem. She's still got some diarrhea every now and then, and will never really be "well," but for the most part is doing great! She and Gabriel have been playing more in the past couple of days than they have in a long time. It's so good to have my bunnygirl back!

Anger, Disgust, Possible Hatred

Today was nail trim day for the boys. Haven's ear? Well, lets just say bunnies don't have middle fingers. Draw your own conclusions.

"Permission??

Nah! You don't need that. Just sit really still and they wont even notice you. I sit here all the time."

Puzzle of the Month - June 2009

Food Warning!

Hi All!

I just wanted to warn everybody about the Kaytee Fiesta mix food. Darcy did not really eat or drink all weekend, starting Thursday night, and she was very lethargic and had diarrhea as well. I took her to see Dr Leak at Banfield yesterday. Dr Leak told me that she has seen several buns lately with similar problems, and they all use the Kaytee Fiesta mix food (as does Darcy). She's not sure if the food is the cause, but I've noticed that this bag has different foods than previous bags. Even though she's not certain if the food is the problem, she still recommended I throw this bag out and change to a different brand for now.

Darcy is doing much better today, although she's definitely not out of the woods yet. She's still at the vet, still has diarrhea, but is at least eating on her own some and is much more alert. I just wanted to warn everyone to keep a close eye on their buns-- Dr Leak said I was very lucky to have caught these problems as early as I did. So if you're using the Fiesta mix, think about getting something else for now, and if your bun eats Kaytee and has diarrhea and/or seems lethargic, take it to the vet as soon as you can!

Butt! Feet!

The end! (literally)

Two head tilt bunnies are better than one.

A few months ago a bunny named Haven captured my mom's heart at the rescue. Haven was living in the hospital with the other special needs buns and had severe head tilt. A month ago this Friday as I was leaving for the day and saying goodbye to the hospital buns, Haven picked up his head and we made eye contact. His look said it all "please take me home" , I went back on got him on that Sunday.

We made a trip to the vet and Haven started getting penicillin injections among other things. His balance started to improve and so did his head. His eyes are no longer weeping and the hair is starting to grow back around his eyes. He was loosely diagnosed with Pastuerella. We are hoping his head will improve a bit more but if not we are okay with that.

After speaking with several vets and lots of research, I decided to try and bond Haven with my two boys Nemo and Stewart. I am just warning all of you that I took a risk and am still taking one. Nemo came to me with head tilt almost as severe as Haven but tested negative for E.C and Pastuerella so we really don't know what type of illness his tilt came from. Please don't get the idea that this is okay for you. This was done after much soul searching on my part and many people and vets would advise you against it. This could be very risky for Nemo and Stewart and even Haven.

I moved Haven into the boys bedroom and opened his playpen. My dear little heart ambassador buns Nemo couldn't wait to meet him. He rushed right in and started to clean Haven's ears. It was one of the most touching sights I have ever witnessed. Stewart came next and really only wanted to see if Haven's food was better than his. Lol! They accepted him in hours as a member of the family as my instincts told me they would. They let Haven lean on them whenever he wants.

As you can see by the pictures Haven is thriving. Their company is so therapeutic for him. My three special needs boys. I am humbled by them. I wish more people could treat each other like that. I uploaded a couple of the wrong pictures but enjoy them anyway. My computer skills are sometimes right below caveman and I couldnt figure out how to switch them. Haven is the big black bunny and Stewart is the lop baby with malocclusion and my little sweetie Nemo is the black and gray little guy.

Teddybear - In Loving Memory

We were so hopeful that Ted's surgery would be successful - such an outpour of love and support and kindness from the bunny community surely must generate a positive outcome. Sadly, though, little Ted did not wake up from his surgery ... we feel such a loss and already miss him tremendously. Ted, we'll never forget you, and we know you'll always be around ...

Don't stand at my grave and cry for me
I am not there.
I am the thousand winds that blow
I am the sparkling brilliance of the snow.
I am the sun over meadows and fields.
I am the crop that your harvest yields.
I am the dewdrops in the early morn'.
I am the flower that's just been born.
I am the glittering stars in the moonlit sky
I am free as the birds and my spirit will fly.
When you awake to the daybreak bright
I am the life eclipsing the night.
Don't stand at my grave and grieve for me
I'm not in there – I haven't died.

Please help us help Ted!

Dear friends,

We have just gotten bad news from our vet. Ted, our beautiful boy, has a very painful bladder stone the size of a pecan! Due to its size, the stone cannot pass through the urethra, and the only option for Ted is a risky surgery. We are determined, however, to do anything to help Ted. Unfortunately, the surgery which involves opening the bladder, is also very costly, in excess of $600. We're desperately trying to raise the funds to give Ted the care he needs. Please help us pay for his surgery - even the smallest amount will help.

Donations can be made using the PayPal donation button below, or you can mail a check to Heartland Rabbit Rescue, PO Box 224, Blanchard, OK 73010 or directly to Dr. Corr, Thunderbird Veterinary Hospital, 1250 156th Ave NE, Norman, OK 73026.

Thank you all so much!

Heartland Rabbit Rescue