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Sudden death of free range bunny

22 9:48:37

Question
I have lost 2 bunnies within 2 months and having read an answer from Randy Atkinson to a question posted 10/24/2008 it appears it could have been as a result of mycotoxin ingestion.  This morning Binky died screaming in my arms.  I had noticed that she had not eaten all the food put down for her the previous day (they also have a double hutch they can go in and out of where I put down fresh food such as curly kale and carrots, pellets and hay) and she did not come in at night.  I found her sitting in her favourite shrub, and was in an almost trance like state.  When I picked she didn't struggle (very unusual) so I knew immediately something was very wrong.  While I was on the telephone to the vet, she started screaming and kicking with her front and rear legs (I was holding her) and then died very quickly....very distressing.  Poppet, our previous female died just as suddenly under the decking (which they use as a warren) although I was not there on that occasion (I found her dead when I returned home from work).  My question is should I stop my bunnies from having free range access to the back yard?  I have apple trees (they love to gnaw on the wind fall apples before I have had a chance to pick them) and a large poplar tree (they also love to eat the leaves which fall from the tree).  My boy Bobby is 5 and a half and hasn't befalling the same fate (touch wood) but he is a Netherland's dwarf and doesn't eat as much as Poppet (Angora) and Binky (French lop) did (they both loved their food where Bobby is a "picky" eater - he was anorexic when he was a baby but that is a different story).  I am worried that there could be mold on the leaves or the apples that they enjoy eating.  Incidentally I did leave out some carrots which I hadn't peeled - presumably they could have developed some mold (I can do something about that but very difficult for the leaves and apples).  I am torn because I love for them to be able to be free range in the back yard - they love it and binky daily, enjoying the space and their freedom.  However if what they love is indirectly killing them, I am wondering if it is time to put them in a pen during the day (they are free range in the house to but they love being in the garden).  Many thanks.  PS - I am in the UK.

Answer
Hi,

I am very sorry to hear of the loss of two of your bunnies in a short time.

The only way to know for sure what caused the death would be to have a vet examine your rabbit and see if the cause can be discovered.  They would be able to determine toxin poisoning.  If you had planned on cremating your rabbit, this could be a way to go.  You would not want to do this if you wanted to bury her yourself in the back yard.

However, apart from a conclusive diagnosis, if what you suspect is correct, I'd probably do the following.

Clear out all old rabbit food in the house.  Buy new.

Clear out all old hay in the house, and buy fresh.

Do not let them outside.  There can be poisonous plants out there as well as molds and fungi dangerous to them, chemicals you're not aware of in the ground or on leaves.  Domestic rabbits have lost ability to know what wild plants are deadly as we feed them.  Not to mention the fecal wastes of outside animals that contain parasites and other things.  It is best to keep them indoors and give them a run/some area inside a bunny-proofed room.  It also protects them from temperature extremes, and from cold rains and wetness (and their food is too).  In short it cuts down on a huge number of easily avoidable problems keeping them indoors.

All veggies need to be scrubbed and washed and any wilted or poor looking parts tossed out.  When making salads always inspect the veggies while making up the dinners, if they look poor don't use them.

Again, I am sorry for your loss.  It is good you were there for her, that she didn't die alone.  She had a friend (a loving owner) with her.  Now it's time to grieve because you've lost a lot.  It is also time to be thankful you had so much joy.   And hopefully learn from what's happened so that it won't happen again.

Stay in touch.