ALASKA - I am so, so, so sorry!

Rest in peace now! I've let you down so badly! I am eternally sorry!

Benji Bunny

The lump is not improving, it hasn't grown either though.

Benji's back legs are quite weak now and he struggles. He is back to see Susan on Tuesday and wel'll see how he is getting on after that.

He still keeps himself clean, eats well and is bright and alert! It's just his legs.

Benji

I took Benji to see Susan, the chiropractor, twice now and Benji is definitely better. He now puts weight on his left hind leg again which he didn't before. He also really enjoyed the massage.

Unfortunately I found a big lump on his back this morning. I took him straight to see Mark. The lump looks quite nasty. We are treating it with antibiotics for now, but I suspect it is more serious than that. Mark and I have ruled out surgery as Benji is old, has knackered knees and a not very well working immune system (he keeps getting mites).

Whatever the lump is (and it doesn't seem to be uncomfortable), we will just keep Benji as comfortable as possible! He still likes a bit of a hop around, is alert, eats well and has a good quality of life.

DAKOTA and BENJI

Dakota's abscess has completely healed from what I can see. I am so pleased. I was getting ready for a major battle like bunny abscesses often are, but baytril worked great this time round.

Benji has now been on metacam for a week and seems more comfortable hopping around. I'll give him another couple of weeks and will then probably take him with me when Troy and I go to the chiropractor next time.

BENJI: arthritis

Poor old Benji has indeed quite severe arthritis in both his knees. Mark put him on metacam now. Once that has kicked in properly, I will take him to Sue to have a look at him and release any tension in the muscles etc that are caused by the arthritis.

Otherwise, Mark commented, he is in good shape and doing well for a bunny of his age, which made me pleased.

DAKOTA: abscess

This morning, Dakota gnawed the bars as she always does whilst I am giving everyone the food. I saw something which looked like a sore, so I had a closer look! I found a lump in the corner of her mouth with a scab on it. The scab came off very easily and out came lots and lots of puss!

I took her straight to the vet. Ian gave her baytril, though I must say I have a feeling it won't work, but I'll give it a go. If it's no better within a week, then I will take her back and ask for Depocillin (though Ian wan't keen at all when I mentioned it ...).

Luckily, Dakota is absolutely fine in herself, eating and drinking well. She was of course a bit stressed by the travelling, but was very good at the vet's. She was also weighed and she is 4.6 kg.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Benji - 11 years old!

I can't believe that Benji is already 11 years old today! He is an old man now, his hind legs are a little weaker, but he is still the same friendly, cuddly and wonderful little bunny enjoying life! What a start he is.

Tommy's and Alaska's move

Yesterday, I dismanteled and discarded of Tommy's and Alaska's old cage. They have now moved into River's cage. I was worried at first because they would never use a litter box and that is imperative in that cage. But as it is just laminate and carpet in there and only the little box contains newspaper and hay, they have had no problem using the litter box and have been perfectly clean! Great stuff!

I gave the wall and the carpet where Magic still is now a good clean, it was necessary. It looks much better again now.

I am still toying with bonding Magic with Tommy and Alaska or perhaps with Dakota as he does look very lonely now and I think he is also pining a little. But I am not sure whether the cage will be big enough for three, and with Dakota I don't want to risk any injuries as she is so big and he is so small. I'll have a think about it all...

Benji - mites again

On Sunday, I gave Benji another bath as the mites have returned. However, he got quite stressed about it this time, so I won't be doing that anymore with him, eventhough it is the most effective way to treat the mites. But I will from now on treat him regularly with Advantage Drops to keep it under control. He is 10 1/2 years old and too old to be stressed out.

River and Charlie ashes home

On Saturday, I picked up River's and Charlie's ashes! I put Charlie's ashes next to Apollo's, her first partner! I miss the two bunnies, it feels quite empty in the room without them!