Is this normal with Rabbits?

[lainiej]

Sadly, we've had to have our gorgeous little 4yr old Alfie (Netherland Dwarf) put to sleep today after I found him collapsed on the floor of his hutch. Vet said she thought he'd injured his spinal cord tho we dont know how.
Obviously we're all really sad but I wondered if it was normal for a rabbit to keep sort of twitching after he'd been given the drug. It seemed to take an age for him to go which made it all worse.

[YvonneM]

Sorry for your loss. I am surprised the vet didn't warn you this would happen it is the same with dogs I think it is more distressing if you do not know this will happen

[lainiej]

Hi Yvonne thanks for that. Maybe because it was a Sunday and emergency vet she didnt know us so of course 'time is money'. The only occasion I had to compare it with was when I had to have my darling cat Layla put to sleep years ago and she was so very poorly that she was gone almost as soon as the drug was administered. I thought it was so traumatic today for us.. poor Alfie was gasping. I'll probably have nightmares about it

[Noweia]

So sorry to hear about your rabbit.

Once the animal is given the drug, it dies quite quickly. What can happen is reflex breaths occur, which look like the animal is gasping for air. This isn't the case - it's a reflex action rather than a conscious struggle by the animal, but it can be distressing if you aren't told it happens. Likewise, after the animal is dead, the muscles can go on twitching for ages.

Hope this helps.

[cruella]

Sorry to hear about your rabbit today.
Bet your heart filled up. Don't think I could kept it together when it started to twitch, although I have heard that happens, but they are actually gone by that time. It just breaks your heart when your pet is ill or needs to go to the Vet.
Take care.x

[lainiej]

Thank you all so much. It does help\ to understand what is meant to happen and I wish the vet had explained before hand. The other thing is, will our remaining bunny Petal cope without her little boyfriend or pine? Onl;y time will tell.
Elaine xx

[Puffmeister]

So sorry to hear about your rabbit. When we had to have one of ours put to sleep our vet insisted he did it in another room.
Didn't appreciate why but after reading your post, I do now!

[beatlegal2]

so sorry,they g8 little pets to have and so tame.as i understand it ,it is nerve spasms and ya rabbit would have already have past,just a reflex please don't fret,ya were with him to the end and that was good.