Bye, buddy

Sky has gone home to his new family in SC.

He went to live with a guy who was very supportive when we first got Sky. He and his wife have an older rabbit who had a similar accident about five years ago. They seem up for the challenge and I'm sure he'll have a very good life.

If two is too many, though, remember the sanctuary! Thanks, guys, for being willing to take him and give him a good home. And a girl friend. And a strange little piggy friend.

Sky's spa day

Thanks to two very generous donors, Lisa and Karen, Sky had a looong day at Avian & Exotic yesterday. He went in at 8 and came home around 4. He looks great, and I'll try to get photos soon. I never took photos of his state before because it was so depressing and gross. Now, it's still kind of gross, but manageable and therefore not depressing.

Things are good

Sky's new digs

I think Sky has gotten an upgrade:

His new pen is more than twice the size of the dog crate he was in, about 4' x 4'. There are two panels of "wood", with a layer of absorbent pads topped by the new fleece. It is quite amazing. I was skeptical at first, but now regret not buying them sooner. The picture above is after 9 hours. He spends a lot of time outside of his cave (judging by the urine pattern on the pads), but really likes to hide in there.

I'm glad that our nightly grooming sessions actually seem to bond us more rather than make him angry. Sometimes he runs from us when he knows what's coming, but most of the time he runs up to the barrier and waits for attention. He's become so much more affectionate than when we first got him. It was like he'd never been handled. He's annoyed, of course, when grooming time goes well past his comfort point, but he doesn't stay mad for long and he's rarely too mad to eat his evening salad.

He has a vet appointment Friday morning so they can check on his legs and genitals, and he might be getting a good bath. I just bought some non-stick pads and waterproof tape to try and wrap his legs, hopefully keeping the urine off. It's a process, but I really think we're getting better at this.

Tools of the trade

Baby wipes, comb and powder for the dry bath, soothing spray for urine scald, medicated cream for sores, scissors to cut off mats, broom and dustpan for poopies, diaper with half-pad, wheelchair. We have quite an arsenal, and I think he's benefiting. Not ideal, of course, but I don't feel quite as overwhelmed as I did a week ago.

Sky's vet records

Not the most fun part of trying to rehome him, but I feel like having the vet records available adds a bit of transparency and helps interested people see how much money care for a special needs rabbit can require.

Just click on one to make it larger, then you can scroll through all six.

March 22:

April 5:
     


April 29:
 

Donations

My husband and I are not comfortable asking for donations, but when they are offered, we are more than happy and grateful to accept.

A nice lady from a Yahoo rabbit group has already made a donation, and we'd like to thank her for her help. Thank you, Dottie, for your donation toward his vet bills.

We are not a rescue, we are just normal, working people trying to help this one rabbit the best we can. Any donations given to us are not tax deductible because we are not a 501c3 or other charitable organization. We do foster other animals for Wake County, but they have nothing to do with Sky or his care. His care is entirely our responsibility.

As I've been telling inquirers, there are certain things that will go with Sky to his permanent home, whether it be a sanctuary or family. We expect no reimbursement for his vet visits, but it would be nice if the cost of these items were covered (again, not a requirement for rehoming him):

• wheelchair- $75
• diapers (2)- $20
• medicated creams (2)- $40
• fleece (2; custom for pen)- $25

The remainder of his food, hay, baby wipes, and soother spray will go home with him, too, as well as 4 panels for his pen (I really should take photos of his current set up).

We do use PayPal (diadrascritters@gmail.com), or you can send a private message to that email address. I welcome any questions or comments.

Super scooter?

We think we may have the chair figured out. We also learned why the rabbits we see in videos are usually taken outside to a parking lot. If we thought he was fast just scooting, the wheels make him pretty ridiculous. His bedroom is not nearly large enough for him to get around, and he keeps getting caught on things. I'm kind of tempted to make him something a bit more maneuverable for indoors, like a sack with a board and wheels stuck to it. Like some of the beggars we saw in China who didn't have any legs. Sorry for the image, but it might work for him.

In other news, Jeannette from Triangle Rabbits and her husband (I hate just calling him "her husband" but I'm terrible with names) came to visit him and gave us some good advice and much needed commiseration. They also showed us what we've termed "rabbit people" can do that we can't. Not only is there a deeper love of the species, but also an understanding that we just don't have. Like, they could scratch his ears way better than we can. Little things like that, I believe, would make his quality of life that much better if he were with people who understand him.

We love the little guy, but we know we aren't the right family for him. We've had a few hits, which is good, but nothing concrete has happened. We've been putting things--like his neuter, a deep cleaning at the vet--off, with the hopes that his new caretakers, who will surely materialize quickly, will take care of it. I'm starting to think we should just do what we know needs to be done for him, and if someone seriously wants to add  him to their family, they will understand his needs and current situation.

Scooter

We haven't quite got the wheelchair operational (it needs some adjustments), but he has a blast any time he's out of his cage. The diaper helps with that, though it slides right off him. Anyone want to make some rabbit suspenders?

We've been working on his care. They cut off his mats at the vet, but now the poop is sticking directly to his skin. It dries on and we have to soak it off, and even then we can't get it all off. He's still just as happy as ever, though, and I hope he stays that way.

A sanctuary may be taking him, but they're remodeling their facility and won't be able to take him for at least another couple weeks. In the meantime, we're trying to do better in caring for him and some people are coming today to see if they have any recommendations. We'll see what they say.

Still searching

Sky had his first sink bath. He did not enjoy it. I didn't realize he still has feeling pretty far down his back, so the way I was holding him probably didn't do him any favors. I'll try to make him more comfortable next time.

He's such a great rabbit and I really hope we can either find a sanctuary for him or at least make him happy with us. He runs around like a crazy guy and seems to forget sometimes that he can't use his back legs. He tries to groom, then falls over and ends up grooming on his face or side.

We're still working on the cart thing. If we can't find someone to make one that we can afford, we'll have to try and make something for him. There are some really nice ones out there, but they are at $250+ and I can't justify spending that much right now, even though he might be using it for 10 years.

So angry.

Tomorrow, I'll go buy him some good food and hay and maybe some diapers. We'll see how it goes.

Sky- wheelchair-ho!

Sky went back to the vet Friday. He's lost a little weight, but not enough for it to be a big deal. I'm hoping that once we get Petra out of the room, he might start eating a little better. As long as he keeps eating his hay and greens, he'll be fine, but pellets is where the real weight is.

Once the exam was over, they put him on the floor and let him scoot. He explored the room, and when satisfied, plopped down under the bench behind my feet.

This dude can't be bothered.

The doctor decided that there had been no significant change, neurologically, though the spine has healed a great deal. She said we can't really break him more, and since he almost certainly won't regain movement or feeling, we might as well hook him up in a chair.

He was filthy, since we've been too nervous to bathe him. His last real cleaning session was Monday, I think, and he was really gross today. He got a bath, though, and some medicine to help clear up some spots on him. Once he gets fitted with a chair, hopefully he won't be sitting in urine all the time.

Sky

This is Sky.

His spine is broken. He can't feel or move his back legs. He has no control over his bowels or bladder.

He is only 9 months old and has no idea that anything is "wrong" with him. He knows that he can still scoot around and doesn't know why we won't let him out for a little freedom.

He eats and drinks like a normal rabbit. He loves treats and is getting used to being handled. In his previous home, he lived in a small, wire-bottom cage with his sister. Their cage was not cleaned very often and was covered in urine. It was so small that they could barely move around. They were being fed mostly baby carrots, which makes their stool very soft and unhealthy.

Since he has come to live with us, his diet is much better and his stool has improved. He has more space and gets more attention. He and his sister, Tiger Lily, are both looking for homes. He would love a home with a companion. He also needs to be neutered.

Sky is in our care because he would have been euthanized at the shelter. Once he is healed enough for a wheelchair, he will be able to get around and play. Not the same as before his injury, but he will still be very happy. We are looking for anyone who can help, either a rescue or individual with the resources to ensure his quality of life is good. Please contact me at diadrascritters@gmail.com if you can help.