Cadbury

Cadbury crossed the bridge today.

He was well and happy up until Monday. He ate his breakfast with the usual gusto, but when I came home for lunch he showed no interest in the strawberry tops I offered him. He had quit eating.

The last time this happened, I took him to the vet right away and he was better by morning. Hoping for the same outcome, I packed him off to the vet, but although there was no blockage, the vet thought he saw a shadow on Cadbury's liver. Blood was drawn and sent to the lab. I took Cadbury home with meds and a recommendation to bring him in Tuesday to spend the day under observation.

On Tuesday, he seemed a little better. He wasn't eating, but when I picked him up from the vet he was perkier and taking his Critical Care. The lab results showed very high liver enzymes, though. Since Cadbury seemed to be improving, we decided to go with a second day of observation and see if maybe he had an infection that the meds would clear. On Thursday we would decide if further tests were needed to rule out liver cancer.

He didn't make it that long. He seemed worse this morning when I dropped him off at the vet. I rubbed his nose and wished him well. According to the clinic, his condition deteriorated in the afternoon, and he had a small seizure. I was on the phone with the vet tech when he had another seizure and died.

Although I'm saddened, I guess you could say I've gotten used to how suddenly a rabbit can go. They aren't designed to linger with an illness, the way a dog, cat or human can. Also, Cadbury was getting old, and even before he became ill, I knew there might not be much time left. I had hoped he would be around another year or two, but he was at least 7 and possibly 8. Although domestic rabbits can live to be 10 or even 12 years old, 8 is considered the natural lifespan of a rabbit. Cadbury did all right.

I apologize for stopping the pictures a few years ago, but Cadbury wasn't much into it, and seemed happier being allowed to just do his own thing, unmolested by paparazzi. I don't plan on getting another rabbit for awhile. They are a lot of work and I need a little break. I'll miss having someone to share my strawberries with, though.