why did my rabbit die

Question
Hello
I just lost a baby rabbit, she was 10 weeks old and is still with her mother.  She had diarrhea with a gel like substance, she stopped eating and drinking and would just sit in one spot.  When I picked her up she would start shaking but after a few minutes would stop.  I syringe fed her water with duramycin and probiotics but it did not help at all.  She did not urinate of move her bowls after the initial diarrhea episode.
This came on all of a sudden, the day before she was fine and eating and the next morning i found her covered in a mess.

Can you please tell me what happened?  I have her sister and am afraid this could happen to her.

Answer
Dear Sheri,

I am very sorry about your loss.

This is less common in bunnies who are still nursing.  But a 10 week old bunny should already have been inoculated with intestinal bacteria and not be as susceptible to problems as a smaller baby.  Please read:

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

and

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/squirts.pdf

for emergency instructions, should the other baby show signs of trouble.  This can kill a baby quickly, as you tragically learned.  But it need not be fatal if you act quickly and aggressively to stop the problem.

As to what caused the episode, that may remain a mystery.  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 rather vague, and could have been due to any of dozens of different things.

If you noticed signs of unusual behavior before he 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 body has 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