Rabbits are cute pet that many pet lovers adopt and care for them. But sometimes what happened? ‘Rabbit Suddenly Died’ which is a very disappointment phase for every bunny owner. Mainly, when they get die without showing any warning signs.
However, because of the chronic illness in which symptoms slowly appears over the time. In this case, sudden death can take place in few hours only.
If you are a bunny owner, and your rabbit died suddenly even without showing any symptoms of illness, you are not alone. This happens generally, bunny can contract many conditions and illness which may even results in the sudden death without any indication. They might shoe few signs before their immediate death.
How Rabbits Hide Signs of Illness?
Rabbits usually hide their illness; because they are prey animals which discovered to disguise their pain and discomfort.
The rapid death of bunny makes it hard for the owners to examine the cause when something wrong happens.
Here’s how they do it:
Illness in rabbit makes rabbit still for the long time period which appears that they are resting.
No food intake by rabbits, or they might be choosy about certain eatables can indicate the change in their behavior.
Also Read: 15 Signs Your Rabbit is Dying of Old Age: Identify & How to Save Them
Rabbits usually hide their pain in the corner.
You may observe few behavioral changes like less playful, quieter than usual, prevent interaction etc.
Slowly and gradually loosing the weight makes it easy to overlook.
Due to this, it is vital to examine your bunnies’ routine behavior. Small subtle change indicates red flag.
Why Rabbit Died Suddenly? Reasons
Here are the few explanations that help to guide what are the main causes of the rabbits sudden death. How to examine the symptoms and prevent them from dying suddenly, below are the cause:
GI Stasis
The most common reason for the sudden death in rabbit is “GI Stasis”. This can be causing in both adult as well as baby rabbits. GI Stasis mainly happens when the digestion system builds up and slows down, which make bacteria line up in the stomach results in bloating and sickness.
This leads to no intake of food and starvation causes the immediate death. It is crucial to notice the rabbit’s eating and drinking habit to check if anything changes.
Fright
You may be surprise to hear that rabbit can even die from fright. It is advised that to own a pet rabbit, you must not have the children less than 12 ages.
Also Read: Urine Scald in Rabbits and its Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment
This is because their screaming sounds can make rabbit feel panic, frantic and even suffers a heart attack from this fear. Always be careful about other loud sounds like gunshots, shouting, music, fireworks and traffic etc.
Rabbit may not show any reaction towards the fright instantly. Your bunny may not die immediately after the initial event has caused them to feel on the higher level of fears.
This is not possible to explain a rabbit’s sudden death as it is not as normal as the causes mentioned. The death of your bunny depends on the level of their tolerable sensitivity.
Temperature (Heatstroke or Hypothermia)
Wild rabbits are habitual top survive in the cold temperature whereas domestic bunnies are not. It is hard to bear the too cold and too hot temperature for the pet ones. This becomes more difficult in case of baby rabbits both wild and domestic because they are born without fur.
The normal temperature for bunny is approx 70 degrees Fahrenheit( above 80 degrees can cause heatstroke).
Flystrike
Flystrike in the rabbit is the common problem that is very painful and even cause death. This issue occurs when flies lays eggs in bunnies fur, which leads to maggots eating at your furry friend. You may even see these maggots around their rear which results in discomfort and make lethargic, starved and smelly.
To avoid this, it is crucial to examine your bunnies’ fur each day for any injuries and maggots. Always ensure that your rabbit’s enclosure has fresh, dry bedding and no maggots hiding near them.
If you find any maggots, immediately contact a vet. The early visit to vet can help your rabbit to survive more. This can cause bunny to die within few hours, so fast action can save your bunnies life.
Unhealthy Diet
Rabbits have sensitive digestive system which states that there is a very small amount of what they should actually eat which compared to the long list of things that shouldn’t eat. Always ensure to fill up bunnies diet that mainly consists of hay, fresh veggies and a few pellets.
Examine in small amounts that your bunny may like when they respond to which they don’t like. You will observe the change once you find bunnies’ safe and healthy diet. Doing this can harm bunnies seriously.
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV)
RHDV is a virus that is quite harmful and has been sweeping across the globe for both wild and domestic rabbits. These are highly deadly and contagious once your bunny shows the symptoms.
One of the most common symptoms of RHDV is sudden death. If your rabbit drops head unexpectedly, immediately check for RHDV. Immediate analyzing for this virus has less chance to infect other bunnies.
In 2020, RHDV is detected which may states that this is more likely to rabbit death early. This virus is reached in North America which is most recent, leads to cause a serious problem. RHDV is spread through different clothing and the items essential for your bunnies’ enclosure and also from bunnies’ dead body.
In 2022, a vaccine is available to all the domestic bunnies. You can gather more information by visiting ‘rabbit.gov’ FAQs about this Medgene’s Lab vaccine and why should you consider it giving it to your pet bunnies.
Unsanitary Conditions
Always ensure that your bunny lives in a well and clean environment. If bunny sleeps in the moister and moldy which may have negative effects on the bunny?
The expired food or water that is not fresh harms your bunny digestive system and well being.
Blunt Force Injury
These injuries are one of the most harmful causes of the death for a bunny because of the fact that is quite hardest to detect. Rabbits are prey animal which means they are hiding their injuries that seems to get weaker and vulnerable.
A broken bone and an upset stomach continue to act in normal. Regular medical check up of bunnies can help to avoid this from happening.
Detect to irregular eating patterns, labored breathing, unusual activity and pooping patterns.
What will Happen When Your Rabbit Dies?
Whenever humans diet, we wonder what happens or what is the cause of death. This happens same in the case of animals too.
Nobody knows the truth. The idea of Rainbow Bridge is where the pets and animals eventually unit together.
How can You Dispose of Your Dead Rabbit?
Lot of answers to these questions and the solutions may vary differently. This doesn’t ensure simply by putting animals in the bin which can attract more scavengers and even spreads disease.
Garden Burial
Most of the bunny owners bury their pets in their garden so as to keep them physically as well as close to your heart. You can even design a unique ceremony that erects a memorial which you can visit every day.
Also Read: How to Keep Rabbits Cool in The Summer? Expert Tips & Tricks
It is important to take some things into considerations:
First, check whether your garden is legally burial or not? Because, in some areas it is not.
Or secondly do you have your own home because landlord or rental agency may not allow burying their garden.
Free roaming predators and scavengers like foxes, raccoons, coyotes and the other animals that often dig for the remains of buried animals.
If you decide for a garden burial, you are required to bury bunnies deep and at least three feet deep. Always ensure to bury above the water table.
Wrap them in plastic bags or the sheets to lower the smell that attracts the scavengers. Consider laying a stone or concrete slab over the grave as an additional deterrent.
Pet Cemetery
Do You Know? Cemeteries are for the Pets? The Hartsdale Pet Cemetery in New York is the world’s oldest animal cemetery which is over 70000 interments and 7000 memorials.
The International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories can help you to find a facility near you.
Cremation
Your vet may offer the cremation if you had to enthusiast your rabbit. Many areas have the local animal cremation businesses that take care of the matter.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Why Do Rabbit Die Suddenly with Its Eyes Open?
Rabbits can die with open eyes because of shock, heart failure, stress and underlying illness. Eyes may often remain opened due to their shortage of strong eyelid closing muscles.
How Do You Know if Your Rabbit Died Peacefully?
A bunny that died peacefully may seem to appear in relax mode and lie on its side with the closed and half opened eyes. Then, here you don’t see any symptoms of the struggle, injury or the distress and a calm posture of the body
Why Do Bunnies Die Overnight?
Bunnies may die overnight because of their stress, undetected sickness, gastrointestinal stasis, heart problems or any environmental factors. These are like as high temperature, loud noises or the predators which may lead to sudden fatal shock.
Why Do Rabbit Died Suddenly No Symptoms?
Rabbits die suddenly without any symptoms because of their hidden illness such as heart disease, internal bleeding, GI Stasis and even shock. This prey disguises the illness and sickness when it gets too late.
Final Words: Rabbit Died Suddenly
Sudden death in rabbit occurs because of the various factors that range from infections, underlying the health problems, stress and unbalanced diet to the environmental factors. It is essential to analyse their behavior and look for vet care immediately if any concerning signs arises.
Also Read: Snuffles in Rabbits and its Symptoms, Prevention, & Treatment
Always make sure to provide the balanced diet, a clean living environment, an ample exercise with the routine checkups to make certain that your furry friend’s well being. Do not forget about their health and happiness which depend on your attention and the care.
Do you have any experience, tips, tricks, or query regarding on this? You can drop a comment!
Have a Nice Day!!
