I am taking care of 2 rabbits. I knew one was old and had to take medication once a day. But the reality of his condition wasn’t revealed until I was in the house to pick the keys up…
The rabbit is very sick and might die during my stay. The hosts said that they thought he would die even before it.
The rabbit now takes medications twice a day, get seizures and can’t move sometimes,so need to move him to make sure that is drinking water. really sad.
He doesn’t look like in the photo at all. I informed THS about all the new tasks, medications and sent photos, because I don’t want to be accused of negligence at the end of the sit. The host left a very negative review to a sitter but the next 3 reviews were 5stars.
It’s a long sit, I am going to do it and just try to keep him comfortable. Just sharing to vent out and prepare for the worst.
I would just keep the hosts updated with very regular communications. It’s good that they’ve indicated that they’re aware and expecting him to pass soon – hopefully, that’s an indicator that you won’t be faulted if he does go during your stay, especially when combined with active communications/photos on your side showing the attentive care that you’re giving.
It’s a difficult situation and usually when I’ve seen this I’ve been given the option to not do the sit or for the pet to be euthanized before hand.
I would just be very clear what you are supposed to do. Can a Vet take the pet for now?
In the end, it can be a rewarding experience of learning. I know for me watching a dying pet helped me know what to look for in the future, and the value of vets vs in home euthanasia. I know in one instance we put a cat down, a homeowner felt so bad they gifted us a nice dinner gift card. Not that we expected compensation, but it was a friendly gesture and a time for us to leave the house and decompress.
Sounds like you’ve covered yourself by letting THS know, so that’s good. Sad to sit a pet in such a state, especially when the hosts have withheld such info.
I had a sit where the elderly, sickly dog ended up having catastrophic seizures and needed to be put down. My hosts returned home early and we all said goodbye to her, before she was put to sleep. She enjoyed life till her seizures and I felt privileged to have spent her last good days with her. She was a sweetheart.
This would be extremely hard for me. I can’t handle seeing an animal suffer. The fact that they didn’t tell you until you arrived is so wrong! I would put in your review that the PP didn’t inform you that one of their pets was dying till you arrived. I personally would ask the PP if I could take the rabbit to a vet to end their suffering. Maybe they would mark me down for this but I don’t care being a senior and only doing this very part time. I care mostly about the suffering pet.
You’re doing a very beautiful thing! I understand why you contacted THS to let them know the situ, but the owners obviously know it could be coming to an end, pets can go down-hill so fast.
You’re obviously a lovely, caring sitter, well done you
The first time I used THS sitters, my greyhound was 11, so an older girl. She seemed fine though she’d had a couple of strokes 2 years prior, but they didn’t really seem to have bothered her. Our vet said dogs often tolerate them far better than humans. We’d just been on holiday and our regular boarders told us that our dogs had been fine, as usual. Because our boarders were retiring, we’d decided to give THS a go for our next trip. In our first conversation with prospective sitters, I brought up the subject of what we’d do if either dog became seriously ill. I said that I wouldn’t leave dog in that situation, but if something were to change while we were away, we discussed how we might deal with it. Of course, you hope it doesn’t happen, but as my dog had had 2 previous strokes and was 11, even though outwardly she appeared fine, her life was limited. Sadly, a couple of weeks later she suddenly deteriorated within 3 days went from normal to struggling and had to be put to sleep. I was desperately sad, but pleased that it hadn’t happened while we were away, as although we’d acknowledged the possibility and discussed what we’d do, it really wouldn’t be fair to leave someone in that position. As we have 2 dogs, the sit went ahead (it was a few months later) and by then we had another dog. Before we got him, we’d asked our sitters whether they would be happy with this or would they prefer us to wait until after the sit, but they said go ahead. I always try to be up front especially with potentially difficult situations and go with whatever both parties are comfortable with.
I’m sorry you were left with this. I don’t know what people are thinking! Honestly, the homeowners should have delayed their trip or if this was not possible, put the rabbit down before the trip. This is a lot and should have been disclosed. The purpose of sitting for the sitters is to travel and experience new places and uinique homes, not to be there for a very sad event.
I get you are venting, and it looks like you are in for the long haul, but I’d certainly let the homeowners know if you think the rabbit is suffering.
Just remember that reviews are blind and it would be very helpful to future sitters if you mentioned this in your review.
Thanks everyone for all your comments! really appreciated
It’s really sad to see him like this but it’s what the owner wants. I’ll keep the rabbit clean, and comfortable.
I feel for you. I recently had to write a not so great review for hosts who did not disclose the medical complexities of their dog. She ended up spending a week at the emergency vet and I spent the whole petsit being stressed about her dying in the hospital. So difficult to see an animal hurting and not feeling well. That’s why it’s so important to spoil them rotten with love until the very end.
We will not pay veterinary expenses on behalf of a pet parent despite what THS says. (Sitters “will” pay expenses and “ask” for reimbursement? Absolutely not. If it said owners “will” reimburse or are “required” to reimburse, then ok.)
We always discuss veterinarian and if they have an account at the vet or a credit card on file. Also, if the welcome guide does not state this we follow up and make it plain that we will not pay any veterinary costs on their behalf. It’s a non negotiable for me, knowing how expensive a vet can be and also knowing the animal is not mine, but belongs to the HO. It’s absolutely ridiculous that THS states these terms.
I hope that the advice and support from our members has helped (thanks everyone!).