My pet bunny just died

Question
I woke up this morning to find that my baby rabbit died in the night.  He seemed fine last night when I was playing with him and was as energetic and affectionate as always.  He had also finished all the food that I had left in his cage for him before I went to bed so I know his appetite was fine but a mere 5 hours later I found him stretched out and stiff in his cage.  It seemed like he had already been dead for a while.

He was very young and fit in one hand.  I bought him from a woman off the street (I recently moved to China where migrants from the countryside occasionally sell rabbits and other small animals on the streets) so its possible that he wasn't in good health when I got him.  I had him for less than a week and he didn't seem to have any health issues during that time - good appetite, good energy, very sweet and inquisitive, no odd discharge and according to a friend who has also had a baby rabbit in China before, his poo looked normal.  The one thing I can think of is that a few days ago, the newspaper flyer that I used to line his cage with had bright pink dye that ran off on his little paws and I wasn't able to wash it out.  Perhaps the dye was toxic?  My sister thinks that if it had been the dye he would have been lethargic or had some signs of illness earlier but I really don't know.  I feel just terrible, he was such a sweetie.

Answer
Dear Cecilia,

I am so sorry about the tragic loss of your bunny.

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.  Without any preliminary signs of illness, it's even harder.  A baby rabbit can die very suddenly from exposure to toxins, to systemic infection, or a cryptic respiratory infection.  Please also see:

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

even though you saw no sign of runny stool.  It might give some clues.

If you noticed *ant* 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. No way to know about the ink without histopathology and toxicology testing.

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

though I have my doubts that even the International Listings linked here will yield a rabbit-savvy vet in China.

I am very sorry for your loss.

Sincerely,