Flemish Giants Died

Question
Hello,  I raise rabbits, and yesterday 4/24/12, my 2 flemish does died.  1 is 1 year the other is 2 years old.  The one year old had 10 babies 4 weeks old, and the 2 year old had 5 babies 2 weeks old, in the next.  Both healthy.  Both died the same day.  No trouble with the bucks, no trouble with any of the other rabbits.  One of the does looked like she was feeding her babies when she died and had blood coming from her mouth & nose area.  The other looked like she was kind of smashed up against the cage, but otherwise fine.  It does not appear that any animal was bothering the cages or anything.  I am devastated.  I am not sure what the temp got to yesterday, but we live in Merrill, IA.  The temp has been fluctuating.  I have no other reason for this to have happened.  Do you have any ideas?

Answer
Dear Rochelle,

I am sorry about your terrible loss.

Sadly, there is absolutely no way to confidently ascertain a cause of death without a post-mortem exam, preferably including histopathology of major organ tissues.  The signs you describe are very vague, and could have been due to any of dozens of different things.  

The blood around the mouth and nose of the one mother is a concern.  Do you have Viral Hemorrhagic Disease in your area?  If so, all the rabbits are at risk. Please see:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/emergingissues/impactworksheets/iw_2000_

If it has been hot, this might have contributed.  But one would think the other rabbits would also show signs of distress.  Be sure all rabbits have a way to get out of the heat, even if it means putting frozen water bottles in each cage.

Unless it was below 40 Farenheit, I very much doubt that cold would do this.

If you noticed signs of unusual behavior before they died, then please read:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sickbun.html

which might give some clues.  But unless you can provide a lot more specific information, this is the best I can offer.  

If the bodies have been kept very cold (not frozen), and it has been less than 24 hours since death, a necropsy may still be possible, if you feel that would give you closure and peace of mind.  You can find an experienced rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

to call and find out what your options might be.

I am very sorry for your loss.

Sincerely,

Dana