our rabbit died, why?

Question
hello, we had a nearly 4 yr old buck, who died on a wednesday for no real reason..
he was slightly off his food (but not water) since sunday, but still ate treats.
he was a house rabbit, but had a run about on monday eve without problem.. acting usual self.
over the weekend and till tuesday we had a brief hot spell. temp = 28 - 30 degrees, but cooled down tues night, and weds was round 24-25.
when found after returned from work, he had a milky substance ringing around each (open eye), and was compressed slightly (prob due to contraction on muscles).
he always had one eye tear duct weep.. when returning him to his cage on monday eve, he jumped from my hands and landed front legs first quiet heavily from about 1 foot up... he did still seem to move around, but did lie in one place, like usual..
my wife is devistated, and i am wondering if you can surmiss why he died.?
could the white creamy substance from eyes be a sign of poison?
at death he had a patch under mouth which looked like a dribble patch..

Answer
Dear Steve,

Without seeing the bunny and having more information, I can make only educated guesses.  But it does sound as if there could have been a serious dental problem going undiagnosed/untreated.  If the white substance coming from his eyes was relatively thick, then it could have been pus from a molar root abscess, and this could cause tremendous pain and stress--enough to elicit ileus.  Please read:

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

and

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

and also:

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

A rabbit is very stoic about pain/illness, so the very slightest sign of abnormal behavior should send you straight to an experienced rabbit vet for help:

www.rabbit.org/vets

The heat could have contributed to the stress he was suffering from the dental pain (if he did have molar abscesses), and the combination of open, draining abscesses and stress could cause immunosuppression and a systemic infection stemming from the tooth infection.  the "dribble patch" under his chin would be consistent with a chronic molar problem causing him to drool.

Again, the dental abscess hypothesis is only a guess, based on the physical symptoms you have described.  I cannot know for sure without seeing the bunny.

I am very sorry about your loss.

Dana