Holland lop rabbit 7.5 years sudden death

Question

Dora and Mommy Hello, My dear Rabbit Dora, passed away today when my husband was on the way to the vet.

I really don't know why? Old age?
Some facts: For the past month or so, I noticed bald spots under her ears, took her to the vet, got her a advantage, but no fleas were found.
She goes for "hops" with me in my condominium complex, she liked to go under bushes, maybe got bitten by a spider?

I took her for a hop on Sunday, she was fine, nothing weird. Monday morning she did not want to get out of her cage, did not want to eat. I thought she was tired because my husband was up until really late (5am) he had a friend over. She is an indoor pet, spoiled rotten, she was kept in a 4x2 play pan, in my living room when we were not home. Otherwise she would just be hanging out with us in the house.

This morning she was limp, and when I put her on the floor she fell to the side, I am not sure what to think.

Spider bite, old age, she is 7.5 years old.
I don't believe it was a heat stroke because it was raining in San Diego.

Please help me. I love my wabbit and she will always be my Dora the Explorer. I will love her forever.

Answer
Hi Karla

I have to say that is an adorable picture of you and your rabbit. My son who is only 6 saw it and thought it was adorable too.

I am sorry to hear about Dora. 7.5 years old is old for a rabbit. Their life expectancy is 7-8 years, so she is in a typical range.

That being said, with old age, rabbits, like us, have many more health concerns as they age. Rabbits tend to have a tendency toward respiratory and kidney problems.

Being under the bushes could be coincidence, or she may have eaten something toxic. Even a lead pencil, old moldy food or a poisonous shrub / plant can bring about death. Many flowers and plants that are everyday household plants such as impatiens are considered toxic and rabbits seem propelled toward them. The list of poisonous plants when ingested goes on and on. If she was fine one minute and not the next, then I would suspect this to be the cause.

If she was bitten by a spider, she most likely would have had signs of this such as the site of the bite being swollen and other allergic reactions such as respiratory distress may have been noticed. Rabbits can have allergies too. A bee sting could have potentially caused this as I have had animals who have reacted to bee stings. swelling etc would likely of been noticed however.

It's so hard to identify without an autopsy, but it sounds like your rabbit had a very good life and was loved very much. It is more than I can say for a lot of rabbits who are abused or neglected. Feel good about the time you had together and the good life you gave her.

I hope this helps in some small way.

Alice