To Get Rabbit PTS?

[CantBreathe90]

I hate even thinking about it, but we have a house rabbit that is giving me terrible asthma / allergies and I'm considering having him pts as my throat hurts, my chest is tight and I can't stop coughing / clearing my throat.

We've had him six years, but he's older than that as he was from someone who couldn't look after him any more (we had two rabbits initially but the other died of old age about six months ago). It hasn't been a problem until two months ago, when I got a coughing viral thing, and ever since I've been really aggravated by his fluff / cleaning out his litter tray / hoovering. To the point sometimes I'm having trouble breathing and have to go sit in the garden.

I'm fairly certain it's the poor rabbit causing it, because of when the coughing worsens. Have gone to the GP who said he thinks I'm just taking a while to shake the virus, and things which normally wouldn't aggravate me are doing. Spent a week at my parents recently and cough totally stopped for the duration I was there. I do have a chest xray booked for Monday to rule out anything serious, but GP says he isn't worried, he's almost certain it's this virus / aggravation.

I'm already taking two or three times the loretadine a day you're supposed to and have dipped into my kids inhalers too. It has helped slightly, but hasn't solved the issue. Am dreading the winter, as windows / patio doors will be shut all the time, and rabbit doesn't like going out either when it's cold (fair enough), so will be all stuck in together for months.

Wouldn't put him through another rehoming at his age.

He's still about 9.

No, it would be cruel to send a rabbit to live in a hutch outside, if they're used to being house rabbits. Too much of an adjustment / climate shift. Plus as it's just him now, he would be terribly lonely.

I agree that you should look into rehoming first. Visit the shelter, ask them if they have a foster family that would take your bunny in. Do some serious research before considering putting him to sleep.

On a side note, I assume that all the utterly outraged people posting here who cannot possibly countenance the humane putting-to-sleep of a healthy animal, are vegetarians?

Out of genuine curiosity, do you know about shelters? As in, have you volunteered or do you have any experience in one? I feel there is quite conflicting information about how good they are, and I don't know the answer myself, having had no dealings with one. No disrespect to the people working there, but they don't have unlimited time and resources available. If you have any actual experience, I'd be interested to know.

Agree with other comments, your bunny could potentially be rehomed to a household who have a lonely bunny that has lost their mate, but they don’t want to buy a baby one.

First loratadine is a very week antihistamine. Even cetirezine is better. Plus fexofenadine or even basic piriton.

If it's a more recent allergy I would more think its the hay/bedding that is the issue.

Please don't PTS find someone who needs an older companion

But it isn't to pts?

Would you not agree that it's kinder to pts, than condemn an animal to living in misery? You might think both are bad, but would you not agree that the latter is worse? He wouldn't be out there reading philosophy or doing watercolour or anything, he'd just be scared and cold and miserable and lonely, then eventually end up dead anyway after a couple of years.

Everyone will have different views, obviously, but I don't believe in the sanctity of life for animals. I do believe strongly they shouldn't be made to suffer. Not that wild a concept, I wouldn't have thought, even if you yourself don't agree.

The issue is that first and foremost you thought about pts instead of trying to work out another solution. In any case a rabbit can still have a quality of life outside maybe a run attached to the hutch with tunnels and toys and maybe another rabbit for company access to grass and hay etc

Oh my god! You’ve touched a huge nerve! My two house rabbits are 9 and are very healthy. PLEASE contact your Iocal rescue. Your rabbit could be bonded with another rabbit, be adopted and live a happy life.

PTS?? WTAF 😱

As someone who is currently battling to keep her bunny alive and currently has racked up £1,100 in vets bills in less than 24 hours due to a GI blockage this actually breaks my heart. Your bunny doesnt deserve to die!

Assuming you are in the UK the rabbit rescues here do amazing work and as previous posters have said many of us actively want to adopt older rabbits and it's actually really hard to find any older than 1 or 2 (because most people get bored and dump them in the first year).

Just do the rescues a favour and make sure hes atleast neutered and vaccinated before he goes so they dont have to spend their much needed funds on the basics!

This 100000”%
@buzzwizz619 I’ve everything crossed for your bun. Mine have had GI statis a couple of times and it’s stressful ( and costly).

Whereabouts are you? My 9 yr old bunny lost her mate recently and I really think she needs an older companion. I’m north west. Needs to be neutered and have jabs. Mine is outside but has a great set up, indoor and outside run, lots of straw, heat pads and insulation throughout winter. Our animals always come first.
ps, I get what you meant about pts. I’d be nervous about rehoming my girl now.

I think its a bit soon to think only solution is PTS. Rabbits can live to 12, he could live a long time yet. 2 months of coughs and youre ready to end his life?!?! That's pretty horrific.

Alternate antihistamines, loretadine and cetirizine hydrochloride or ask the pharmacist for a stronger one. Go back to Drs.

Limit him to one room, get DP or DC to do hutch cleaning and hoover duties.

Defo consult a rehousing shelter before deciding on options.

My vet suggested if bunny has GI difficulties when theyre older and they groom they can get furballs (dangerous in bunnies) and one thing that helps is pippetting pineapple juice because the enzymes can break stuff down

Yes I have. You are so ridiculously insulting you have no idea.

Give your rabbit to RSPCA Sussex and we will adopt him as a friend for our house bun. We have experience bonding and would never put a healthy rabbit down for any reason.

You shouldn't have pets if you believe it's ok to murder them if they become an inconvenience. Bit shocked by this thread.

I am actually pleased to see how many people on Mumsnet have compassion for rabbits. As an animal that is severely mistreated and neglected, mainly as a disposable child’s pet and seen as low value. It’s uplifting to see kind genuine responses from people that know better. I hope this rabbit ends up some where with love, care and is valued as a living creature with feelings.
oh and I worked in rescue and it’s bloody hard work and sometimes nightmare worthy, what people can do to animals. So respect to everyone who is changing the life of animals. A life helping animals is a life well lived! Thank you for all you do.

You probably aren't even allergic why would you have suddenly developed an allergy, at the same time you had a virus? You probably just still haven't got over the virus, it can take a long time especially if you get a secondary infection. It's entirely unreasonable to kill an animal because you have a cough, even if you were allergic just get some antihistamines ffs.