Sudden death... :(

Question
We had a miniature lop, Male, 8 - 9  months old, who died suddenly this afternoon.

We kept him in a cage (2 x 3 x 3 ft) but let him run around the house when we are at home. We use paper pellets as bedding and feed him a mixture of Alfalfa hay and Bunny Basics 15/23 (pellets) with lots of water. His poop is normal.

This afternoon, he was thumping loudly as if he was scared/angry. We let him out of the cage. He thumped  for another 10-15 secs, and thereafter he suddenly convulsed on the floor for a few secs and died. This happen so suddenly that we don't even have time to react, or to bring him to a vet.

Before this, he was behaving normally, eating and drinking normally. He love to run around the house and perform his binkies for us!

We wish to add that his ambient temp range 26-30 deg C in an airy environment, away from the sun. (we kept him indoor).

Any clue what happen?

Answer
Without having a necropsy (the animal version of an autopsy) done it would be difficult to know for sure, but certainly rabbits can die of heart attacks.  If something scared him very badly, this could happen.  

I am sorry that this happened, it sounds like you were giving him a wondeful home and he was very happy with you!

He could have also had some sort of birth defect, or he could have suffered a sudden internal problem.  It's unfortunately hard to say.

I hope that realize that it wasn't your fault.

Kim