![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dancerjodiIt actually wasn't as painful as we thought (though we weren't able to get him totally clean). I think its going to take a few tries every couple of days since I don't want to hurt him (rabbit skin is VERY sensitive).
I came home directly from work (so much for going to the gym - the rabbit's butt is more important than mine) and I needed to collect a urine sample to drive over to the vet. It was a dark, red rust color (ick) and gave me a sudden sinking feeling of dread. I mean he is 5 years old, problems could very likely develop now out of nowhere. I gave him a kiss on his wiggly nose, gave him some more hay and fresh water and said over tears "don't worry bunny, I'm going to the vet to figure out what's wrong and I'll take care of you". I found that listening to Reflecting Skin is good in the same way that Tori Amos is when you're upset; It makes you more aware of what's going on without pushing you over the edge into hysterical crying or anger fits.
The vet re-assured me when I got there that everything was probably OK ("sometimes their urine just changes color due to different diet or digestive patterns with age - don't worry"). I waited in the lobby for them to do a dip-stick test and watched the other animals looking so calm and happy. I know I'm not the only one with pet problems (a friend's bun died a few weeks ago and my cousin had to euthanize her 18 year old dog last weekend) but it doesn't change things when YOU are the one in the situation. I was having horrible thoughts, picturing the vet running out yelling "um, you should go home and get him and bring him back right now". I was wondering what we'd do with him when he dies (bury him at the parent's house with the other pets most likely). By poor bunny :(
But - the test was OK! No blood in it at all (the vet's assistant said that her bun has done a similar thing from time to time). "But you need to get his bottom clean or else it could get infected". We discussed how this would be possible, getting to a large bun's bum when he doesn't like to sit even for nail clipping! I stopped by Walgreens on the way home and picked up some Johnson's baby bath for the task and headed home.
So we did it. B isn't crazy about holding the bunny (he's afraid he'll break him much like he won't hold infants) and he has serious issues dealing with bodily excretions. "OK, I NEED your help with this B, either you hold the rabbit or I do and you clean his bum". The reply "You know that I love you and this rabbit VERY much, right?".
We got his cage in the kitchen and B wrapped him up in a towel (front paws in one hand, feet in the other hand) while I cleaned the sensitive area with the baby wash, face cloth and from time to time a spray bottle (now THAT was amusing). The bun actually handled it pretty well and looked like he was falling asleep for a while (I think he was horny actually, kept seeing that little bunny penis poking out). We worked at this for about 20 minutes until he got really squirmy and we let him hop back into the cage.
So its done for now. I think we'll need a repeat session a few more times but now at least we have a plan for attack.
It was one VERY interesting evening.
I came home directly from work (so much for going to the gym - the rabbit's butt is more important than mine) and I needed to collect a urine sample to drive over to the vet. It was a dark, red rust color (ick) and gave me a sudden sinking feeling of dread. I mean he is 5 years old, problems could very likely develop now out of nowhere. I gave him a kiss on his wiggly nose, gave him some more hay and fresh water and said over tears "don't worry bunny, I'm going to the vet to figure out what's wrong and I'll take care of you". I found that listening to Reflecting Skin is good in the same way that Tori Amos is when you're upset; It makes you more aware of what's going on without pushing you over the edge into hysterical crying or anger fits.
The vet re-assured me when I got there that everything was probably OK ("sometimes their urine just changes color due to different diet or digestive patterns with age - don't worry"). I waited in the lobby for them to do a dip-stick test and watched the other animals looking so calm and happy. I know I'm not the only one with pet problems (a friend's bun died a few weeks ago and my cousin had to euthanize her 18 year old dog last weekend) but it doesn't change things when YOU are the one in the situation. I was having horrible thoughts, picturing the vet running out yelling "um, you should go home and get him and bring him back right now". I was wondering what we'd do with him when he dies (bury him at the parent's house with the other pets most likely). By poor bunny :(
But - the test was OK! No blood in it at all (the vet's assistant said that her bun has done a similar thing from time to time). "But you need to get his bottom clean or else it could get infected". We discussed how this would be possible, getting to a large bun's bum when he doesn't like to sit even for nail clipping! I stopped by Walgreens on the way home and picked up some Johnson's baby bath for the task and headed home.
So we did it. B isn't crazy about holding the bunny (he's afraid he'll break him much like he won't hold infants) and he has serious issues dealing with bodily excretions. "OK, I NEED your help with this B, either you hold the rabbit or I do and you clean his bum". The reply "You know that I love you and this rabbit VERY much, right?".
We got his cage in the kitchen and B wrapped him up in a towel (front paws in one hand, feet in the other hand) while I cleaned the sensitive area with the baby wash, face cloth and from time to time a spray bottle (now THAT was amusing). The bun actually handled it pretty well and looked like he was falling asleep for a while (I think he was horny actually, kept seeing that little bunny penis poking out). We worked at this for about 20 minutes until he got really squirmy and we let him hop back into the cage.
So its done for now. I think we'll need a repeat session a few more times but now at least we have a plan for attack.
It was one VERY interesting evening.
