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baby rabbit death

22 9:59:20

Question
Hi,  we raise rex rabbits.they get purina complete rabbit chow,grass hay,and we give them summer grass that grows in front of our barn.clover,lawn grass,dandylion greens,ect.we have always waited till the baby rabbits are at least 2-mos old before we let them have grass and have done fine.there was some tall grass growing behind my old horse stall where manue had been fore a long time so I picked some and fed them all a hand-full along with the normal feed.when I went to feed the next evening 4-baby rabbits were dead and the 5th was lying on its side convulceing and had to be put down.is there certain grasses rabbits can't have?the parents and other adults were fine.this never happaened bafore.

Answer
Dear Lisa,

I am sorry about the terrible loss of your babies.

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.  If all five died after eating the grass, I have to suspect a toxic event.  Grasses should not be toxic, but there might have been toxic weeds, or even some pathogen on the leaves.  No way to know without further testing.

If you noticed signs of unusual behavior, diarrhea, or other signs 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