3 rabbits dead in 1 week

Question
  We had three rabbits. A few weeks ago they all died. Our family was devistated. We had lucky and mopsey for two years and daisy for one year. They were very close to each other and they loved to cuddle.
   Befor lucky died she had a limp but we just thought we would be gentel with her and she would be fine, but we were wrong. A day later lucky was running around in our yard and she fell over. We quickly rushed to get her and we put her in a small travel cage by herself with food, water, and icepacks. That night she died.
   Daisy was very upset when lucky didn't returen back to the cage. She didn't eat very much and didn't want to do anything. Mopsey was fine she was happy and cheerful as usual. Two days later daisy passed away.
   The day mopsey died she was fine. She was running around in our cellar where it was cool and she was drinking a lot of water. That night she died without even looking sick.
   I was wonder if you could tell us what happened. WE didn't take them to the vet to be lok at after they died because it was too devestating to our family espally my younger sister. Please write back soon it will be a big relief. We also want to get some new rabbits and we would like to know how to prevent this from happening again.

Answer
Dear Nicole,

I am very sorry about this devastating loss.  Unfortunately, it is absolutely impossible to know why they died without an autopsy including toxicity testing and histopathology.  It could be any of dozens of problems.

Excessive heat can kill rabbits, and since you say they did play outdoors, I wonder whether a neighbor might have sprayed pesticide or fertilizer on their garden, with the result that some of the spray made its way onto your bunnies or their food.  Again, without autopsy and toxicity testing, it is impossible to know for sure.

I am sorry this comes too late to help your bunnies, but this might help, too:

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

Rabbits are very stoic about illness, so if you could think back and tell me *any* unusual symptoms they showed (lethargy, inappetence, runny stool, etc.), it might help me narrow the possibilities for you.

Again, I am sorry about your loss.

Dana