Cause of renal failure

Question
Hi Dana,
Stephanie here in the South of England. My lionhead rabbit died 2 days ago as he had irreperable damage to his kidneys and his renal count was so bad it was 'off the scale' so devastatingly we had him put down. He was just under 6 years old and has been an indoor bunny all his life. He had a bad habit of eating the plaster off the walls then having a really painful tummy afterwards. We gradually blocked off all the places where he nibbled but I wondered if you think this could have caused damage to his kidneys over a period of time? Also I wondered what might attract him to the plaster?as it made him so uncomfortable after chomping on it and as he had lots of toys and things to chew on. His diet was hay, grass and dandelions picked twice a day, little bit of dry food, some fruit and veg but not much. Am thinking of getting another bunny but really want to do the right thing as I feel this to be a premature loss of a wonderful animal. He was originally bought in a pet shop by a friend who gave him to me when they realized he wasnt a cuddly pet appropriate for their toddler. Thank you for your time.
Kindest regards from Stephanie

Answer
Dear Stephanie,

I am sorry about the loss of your friend.

Unfortunately, the ultimate cause of renal failure often remains a mystery.  Sometimes it's congenital, a problem with calcium metabolism, that causes calcification of the kidneys.  Since rabbits excrete excess calcium via the kidneys, there is a possibility that his eating large quantites of plaster (which is LOADED with calcium salts) contributed to his untimely demise.

There are many possible reasons for kidney damage.  There may have been toxic impurities in the plaster, or in some other environmental item to which he was exposed long term. If is almost impossible to know without extensive detective work.

I know of other rabbits who loved to chew plaster or drywall.  It must just have a good "tooth feel", as they will do it even after it has made them feel bad.  I wish I knew how to stop it, other than physically barring bunnies from being close enough to walls that they can chew it.

I am very sorry about your loss.

Dana