My rabbit died suddenly

Question

my rabbit died this morning he was eating yesterday and he was dead this morning laid on his side dont know what was wrong with him

Answer 1

Many things can cause this.  A few common ones come to mind:

Old age

Respiratory distress (due to cedar shavings)

Bloat/Enteritis (from eating lettuce)

Coccidiosis (sometimes it can be silent and the only sign is slightly darker stool)

Heat stroke from being in the sun/heat

Answer 2

Well, there is no way anyone can diagnose what was wrong with your rabbit.

He could have been diseased, died of old age (rabbits live to be about 7) could have had a heat stroke, could have gotten too cold (if outside), etc. etc. etc.

Answer 3

My daughter's rabbit did exactly the same thing....the only thing we can think is, despite not being in a hutch (he had the run of the garden) it was a particularly hot few days and we think he died of heat exhaustion.

Answer 4

I'm really sorry for your loss

Answer 5

If in the UK or Europe the most common cause of sudden death is myxomatosis. In some areas VHD is another cause.

Rabbits in the UK or Europe should have their rabbit vaccinated 6 monthly or yearly against myxomatosis depending on the area that you live in.

To diagnose an illness after death the rabbit must be at the vets within 2 hours of death. I know this from experience.

Other reasons could be old age, heart or organ faliure, shock from a predator trying to get in the cage, enteritis, cancer, heatstroke, flystrike, food poisoning, coccidiosis (alot of rabbit mixes now contain a coccidiostat to prevent this illness) Pasturellosis (snuffles) or other respiratory diseases.

Answer 6

Get a necropsy done. It is an autopsy for animals. A vet should be able to do one. You have to get it done ASAP to get an accurate cause of death. Call a vet, preferably one who knows rabbits, and ask them about doing a necropsy and what you need to do to get one done.  

Answer 7

Yea this happened to my rabbit i was devistated :(

We took it to the pet shop we got her from and they didnt help i was so angry >:(

But anyway i didnt help but just thot i would share that and read your answers to see if it helps me :D

Rach...x