04/12/2024
*Long Post*
To all of our followers: I apologize for the lack of posting. This “side of the house” is going strong with about 30 kits on the ground and 3 more does bred.
It is with the “other side of the house” we have had some major struggles. As a lot of you know I began the rabbit journey to create a healthy, sustainable, non-gmo fed protein for my competition dogs. We feed our competition dogs raw and rabbit is one of the harder to get and more expensive proteins - and also one I could raise within my home environment. So began Circle of Life!
What I found was an insatiable demand for rabbit! So much so that my dogs were fed last, if at all. And it was usually ‘if at all’ except on grind and process days. For various reasons I put my dog, Mingus on kibble while I worked in growing my rabbity and creating a rabbit program that was of the high standards I set and produced a large yield through selective breeding. As well as having a very aggressive tournament schedule with Luke’s archery (our 16 year old) and him working hard to make the USA Team - feeding kibble is easier for those watching the dogs while we travel.
Mingus was on kibble for about a year when a recall occurred (Nov 2023) and I switched his brand to another. By Jan 2024 he was exhibiting some concerning symptoms - but I did not make the kibble connection until March. With raw feeding protein rotation is essential and critical - rabbit is one of 16 I rotate through! So I made a trip up to Minnesota for a year’s worth of raw at the end of March - I took Mingus with. It was on the trip home that things became dangerous and I was able to get him into University of Wisconsin - Madison.
Fast forward to a few days later and he had major abdominal surgery which included opening his stomach, and inspecting every inch of his intestines as well as taking a biopsy. The term for his condition is ileus. Which can be caused by virus, or by a food “injury”/intolerance or contamination. Unfortunately I put him back on raw too late!
This last week has been touch and go as to whether he will make it. Mingus is a 5 year old GSD who was in exceptional health and fitness levels, and in what should be the height of his competition career. And… he is my ❤️
I’ve done a lot of praying, and if I’m honest - even a bit of begging and bargaining. Most importantly - he has been fed a whole food diet (raw and some gently cooked by me), supportive supplements, energy work, and extraordinary care by Ready to Go Veterinary Rehab; including acupuncture. I believe and have faith Mingus is on the other side of this and on the road to recovery. Sure, we have some rough days ahead including additional tests - but we are going to power through like champs!
We appreciate every prayer, good thoughts, every call, text, and message. I have gotten through this because of those who support us. Thank you for understanding that this page was dormant for a bit. Message us if you need anything!
Some pictures included - healthy Mingus, and some of his recovery. Incision picture not included 😅 but available if anyone wants to see what it looks like for a dog to be cut from sternum to p***s - and I mean all the way 🥺
Thank you for your continued support. We do have product - heads, whole prey, etc! ❤️
We pride ourself on the best possible husbandry care, enrichment, and compassion for all our rabbits.
