Strange Runt

Question
Earlier today I was checking on our bunny, Peanut Butter, and her 2 day old litter of 6. I noticed one was obviously becoming the runt and was quite lethargice, skinny and small. I tried to put him to mommas nipple but he was not interested. While I was holding him he took a big yawn type breath and then went completely stiff with both sets of legs together and stretched out. It surprised me and I layed him on the towel and he stayed, frozen, like that for about a minute. Then my son noticed he was twitching so he picked him up,put him in a baby sock (he was cold) and massaged him. He appeared to come back to normal. We lay him back in cage next to momma but a few hours later we found him soft, and dead. My children and I are wondering what happened? Did he have a seizure? Also, why are there always runts or a runt in the litter...they just seem destined to fail to thrive?
Thanks.
We love our bunnies and my children have turned them into a full time hobby.

Answer
Dear Tina,

There isn't always a "runt," but it does happen sometimes.  There usually are genetic reasons that the baby fails to thrive, and even an autopsy might not reveal whatever metabolic or physiological problems caused the baby to die.  I am sorry about the loss.  The baby was probably very close to death when you found him.  The "seizure" might have been one of the early phases of "going agonal," which an animal (including a human) will often do as death approaches.  

For more information on bunny, care, please visit:

www.rabbit.org/

and

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

and please especially read:

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

I hope this helps.

Dana