Pet Rabbit Death

Question
Hi Dana,
We lost our pet rabbit yesterday after only 7 months. I noticed yesterday morning that he had not ate much of his food from the evening before.  He looked fine.  When, I got home from work, he was laying on his side in the cage which was odd.  All of a sudden, he started kicking his legs and rolling side to side and pushed himself halfway into his house with his legs still kicking....I got him out and picked him up and he was feeling kinda limp but he was breathing.  I held him for a while and then realized he had died.  I noticed too that all of his food was gone....I've tried to find a resonable answer as to what happened to him but thought you might know better...I have to explain this death to my daughter who is at college and will be totally devastated.....I would appreciate your help if you can.

Thanks,
Lorie

Answer
Dear Lorie,

I am terribly sorry about the loss of your rabbit.  Unfortunately, only a necropsy with histopathology of all major organs might reveal the cause of death.  It could have been any of dozens of different things.

Whenever a rabbit doesn't eat, or acts in any way unusual, it's time for a quick trip to the vet.  Rabbits tend to hide any sign of illness unless they are *very* sick, so when you see a sign, it's usually serious.  Please read:

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

for complete information about this.

I am very sorry.

Take care,
Dana