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The Death of my sis bunny

22 10:20:45

Question
My sis got a bunny for her kids a couple of weeks ago about three. I was down sat  the 10th of august of 2008. I had held the bunny, and my other sister held the bunny.. we all went back into the house to finshen the house work. I went back outside with my sis the own of the bunny, and the bunny was breathing hard, and i though maybe the bunny was hot. I asked if we could move her, and my sis said yeah move her cage, and all. I took maybe four steps from where she was had her up in the air to more her, and she screamed. I set the cage down, and pulled her out. she was breathing hard. My sis went to go get her some think to eat. i held her to my chest, and wait told all of the id around my they could not hold her till she was happy. Her breathing went back to being light like to should she looked up at me three time before my sis came out with the food. I moved her to put her in the cage, and she went limp in my arms. I ran into the house we where going to cool her for thinking that could be it but it was not hot out at all. Then she started to have a seizure. My sis ran to get her boyfriend when her came in i hand the bunny to him but she stopped breathing, and her hearth stop when I hand her to him. I want to know if anyone can tell me why? Or what was wrong with her? I'm trying to make it to where my sis stops she did by putting the bunny outside. Any info can an will help.

Answer
Hi,

I am sorry to hear about your sister's bunny dying.

Rabbits are not good pets to get for children.  They are very delicate and can be hurt or killed easily.  They should never be a 'first pet' for a child.  

If they are not fed properly they can wind up having serious gi tract problems that can kill them.  

They are NOT like a cat or a dog that can handle rough handling.

It sounds like the bunny may have had heatstroke, or perhaps the bunny got hurt accidentally.  The only real way to know would be to have a vet do a necropsy and see if a cause of death could be found.

Rabbits cannot tolerate heat well.  If she was outside on a hot day that could be a problem.

If your sister is considering a new pet in the near future, please do not get another rabbit.  If she is thinking small animal, a guinea pig is a better choice for children.  If she is thinking a little bigger, a cat or a dog should be a better choice.

Lee