Rabbit Detects Diabetic Coma: How One Fluffy Hero Saved Her Owner’s Life

A rabbit actually spotted her owner’s diabetic coma and saved his life. Read about Dory the bunny and how she basically became a hero in the Steggall house – it’s a crazy, touching true story.

Picture this: you’re crashed out on the sofa after a rough day, TV remote still in your hand, eyelids getting heavier by the second. Except what if that heavy feeling isn’t just you being tired? What if your body is actually starting to shut down? That’s the nightmare Simon Steggall lived through in 2004. And the one who noticed first? His pet rabbit. Yeah… a rabbit. Who would’ve thought?

The Day Dory Became a Legend

Simon Steggall, a 42-year-old guy from the quiet town of Warboys in Cambridgeshire, England, had lived with diabetes since he was a kid. He jabbed himself with insulin four times a day, but sometimes his blood sugar crashed hard and fast. No headaches, no sweats—just bam, out like a light. One chilly January evening, Simon plopped down to watch TV. His wife, Victoria, an ambulance driver no less, was pottering around the house. She glanced over and figured he’d dozed off. Fair enough, right? We’ve all been there.

How One Rabbit Changed Everything

But Dory, their giant house rabbit, knew better. This wasn’t your average bunny. We’re talking a 1.5-stone beast—that’s about 21 pounds and three feet long when she stretched out. They’d only had her for three months, but she’d already claimed her spot in the family. House rabbits like Dory roam free indoors, munching hay and hopping around like mini dogs. Rules were clear: no jumping on furniture. Dory usually listened. Not this time.

As Simon’s body went limp, his breathing shallow, Dory leaped onto his chest. She thumped her powerful hind legs, tapped with her paws, even dug a little. Her eyes locked on his face, like she was saying, “Hey, wake up!” Victoria heard the commotion and scolded Dory to get down. But the rabbit wouldn’t budge. That stubbornness? It saved Simon’s life. Victoria tried shaking her husband. No response. Panic set in. She dialed 999, and paramedics rushed in with a glucose shot. Simon woke up, groggy but alive.

Can you picture the chaos? Simon later shared he could hear everything during the coma—heard Victoria telling Dory off, felt the thumps on his chest. But he couldn’t move or speak. It was terrifying. And there was Dory, this oversized fluffball, acting on pure gut feeling. Doctors think she smelled the chemical changes in his breath or sweat, like ketones from low blood sugar. Animals have noses way sharper than ours. A rabbit detects diabetic coma? Who knew?

Inside the Mind of a Hero Bunny

Rabbits aren’t only those cute things you see in Easter ads or hopping around hutches in backyards. They’re actually pretty clever and super attached to their people once they trust you.

Experts say animals like rabbits pick up on subtle cues we miss. For diabetics, a drop in blood sugar releases scents only pets detect. Cats and dogs get trained as service animals for this, alerting owners to test levels or fetch help. But rabbits? Rare. Simon’s doctor was stunned: “I’ve heard of cats and dogs, but never a rabbit.”

Dory wasn’t trained. She just knew. Maybe it’s that prey animal instinct—always on alert for danger. Or perhaps the short time with the Steggalls built a quick trust. Victoria, embarrassed as an ambulance pro, laughed it off: “The rabbit spotted it before I did!” Her job saves lives daily, yet Dory beat her to it at home. It’s humbling, isn’t it? Pets teach us we’re not always the smartest in the room.

The Award That Made History

And Dory didn’t stop at saving the day. Months later, in March 2004, she snagged a huge honor: the first-ever animal member of the Rabbit Welfare Association. Simon beamed, “I don’t know how she did it, but Dory saved my life.” Victoria joked, “I’m very impressed, and so is Dory—though I had to help her fill in the application form.” Awards like that? They celebrate the unsung heroes with fur.

Other Animals Who Stepped Up as Heroes

Dory’s not alone in the animal hero hall of fame. Stories like hers pop up everywhere, reminding us pets are family with superpowers.

Take Lulu the pot-bellied pig. In 1998, she squeezed through a dog door, lay in the road to flag down help when her owner had a heart attack. Drivers stopped, followed her back, and saved the woman. Pigs? Smarter than we give credit.

Or consider Kabang, a dog from the Philippines. She threw herself at a motorcycle to save two kids from getting hit, losing half her snout. Vets fixed her up, and she became a legend. Then there’s the cat named Pudding who, on her first night home, pawed at her owner’s chest during a diabetic seizure, waking the family.

These tales hit hard because they’re real. No capes, just instinct and love. In Dory’s case, a rabbit detects diabetic coma and changes everything. It makes you wonder: How many close calls do pets prevent without us knowing? I once had a cat who’d meow nonstop if I left the stove on. Coincidence? Maybe not.

Living with Diabetes: What Dory’s Story Teaches Us

Diabetes isn’t rare—millions deal with it daily. Type 1, like Simon’s, means your body doesn’t make insulin. Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can lead to comas fast. Symptoms? Shaky hands, confusion, sometimes nothing. Simon called it “a flick of a switch.” Scary stuff.

Dory’s alert highlights why awareness matters. Test regularly, eat right, carry glucose tabs. And hey, consider a service animal. Dogs get trained to sniff lows, but who says rabbits can’t? After Dory, more folks might think twice about bunny companions.

But it’s not just medical. This story’s about connection. Simon had a black lab before Dory who’d cower during lows, a silent warning. Pets tune into us. They sense stress, sadness, even illness. Owning one? It’s rewarding but responsible. Rabbits need space, hay diets, vet check-ups. Dory thrived as a house rabbit, free to roam. If you’re thinking of getting one, research first. They’re not low-maintenance fluff.

In a world of tech gadgets and apps tracking health, sometimes a pet’s nose beats it all. A rabbit detects diabetic coma—proof nature’s got tricks up its sleeve.

Why This Story Still Goes Viral Today

Fast-forward to now, over 20 years later, and Dory’s tale resurfaces on social media, Reddit threads, even YouTube vids. Why? It’s feel-good gold. In tough times, we crave heroes, especially cute ones. People share it with captions like “Animals are better than us!” And they’re not wrong.

I get emotional thinking about it. What if Dory hadn’t jumped? Simon might not be here. Victoria’s quick thinking sealed the deal, but Dory started it. It’s this beautiful chain reaction of care—people and animals looking out for each other in ways that honestly just melt you.

Wrapping It All Up: The Bunny That Changed Everything

So yeah, that’s the story—a totally normal night on the couch turned into this life-or-death moment, all because of one gutsy bunny. When a rabbit detects diabetic coma? Come on, that’s not just some random news blip… it’s straight-up inspiring stuff that sticks with you.

Dory showed us animals’ hidden depths, the power of bonds, and how life can hinge on a simple thump. If you’ve got a pet, give ’em an extra cuddle tonight. Who knows? They might save you someday.

Stories like this remind me why I love writing about animals. They’re full of surprises, heart, and a dash of magic. Share this if it touched you—let’s spread the warmth. And next time you look at your pet, just remember – some of the biggest heroes out there have floppy ears and twitchy noses.