Dutch Rabbit illness

Question
I had a dutch bunny that was 3 and 1/2 years old.  It was pretty healthy but it hasn't been eating as much as usual and yesterday when I let her out she wasn't running around like usual.  She was kinda just sitting there and she seemed to be shaking slightly, so I kept an eye on her but she died within twelve hours.  She just really didn't seem real sick, she just almost seemed just tired.  I was just wondering if you had any idea why she died because she wasn't really old.

Answer
Dear Brittany,

I am sorry about the loss of your rabbit.  Unfortunately, the only way to confidently establish a cause of death is with a post mortem exam/necropsy.  Any of dozens of things could have been wrong. But when a rabbit stops eating and acts lethargic or "different," then this is what you must do to prevent this type of disaster:

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

I am sorry this comes too late to help your bunny, and sorry for your loss.

Dana