Changes In Vital Signs 4. (Nutrition, Benefits, & Feeding Tips), Sumatran Striped Rabbit: Appearance, Lifespan, Temperament, Care Sheet, Silver Marten Rabbit: Appearance, Lifespan, Temperament, Care Sheet, 10 Reasons Why Rabbits are Bleeding from the Bottom, Why Is My Rabbit Breathing Fast? Your veterinarian can run various tests to make a proper diagnosis, and he will also be able to recommend treatment options. You should ALWAYS, ALWAYS neuter *and* spay rabbits, 80% of female rabbits will get cancer by age 4 and be dead soon after. See some more details on the topic my rabbit died with eyes open here: Rabbit Died Suddenly With Eyes Open! My pet rabbit died late at night and my family had no idea what happened to him I miss him already :(. I kept asking her what happened then my heart and stomach dropped when she told me that my rabbit has died. fed Critical Care mixed with a bit of baby food squash. This domestic female California rabbit (with kits) may die if put through sterilization surgery. When the digestive process is slow, the food particles get stuck much longer. Heart disease is also a viable cause of premature death as they are not detected most of the time. Date Published: 7/20/2021. My rabbit's death has left me feeling angry, confused, and heartbroken. During the process, your veterinarian will prepare a special container for you to take your pet home. So if you have a pet rabbit at your home avoid keeping sharp or solid substances like glass, plastic materials, nails or small metal objects lying anywhere. I just hold him to keep him so i can wash him. We took him to the couch. As rabbits age, they become more susceptible to health problems, and eventually, their organs will start to fail. Dying with eyes open. GI stasis is usually fatal as by the time you notice the rabbit is in distress it's too late. Its the most common way for animals to die, even humans. Learn More: How to keep birds out of open buildings? Rabbits die with their eyes open. She was given a 1.1/2 dose of anisatic I was told I am really upset don't know what to think anymore I miss her so much, Our bunny died this morning afyer being with us for 3.5 years and it was and is a very saddening experience, The thing is if you dont sterilize the female rabbit she will most likely develope uterus cancer around the age of four. After caring for him by warming him up, cleaning him up and keeping a very close eye on him until we could contact the doctors which didnt open until 8am. If you're still unsure whether or not your rabbit was in pain when it died, talk to your veterinarian. Still breathing normally. Rabbits are born in litters of 114. On friday my loppy eared rabbit Rufus was fine i let him out that morning to run the yard as normal, he followed me everywhere like he usually does, followed me to the clothesline like normal, then i noticed him digging to get up under the gate near the shed and in the dirt i kept getting him out of it but he was determined to get in there and when he did he was rolling around on his back and side in the dirt, then he came back out and was normal, then i put him to bed at night time and he was fine and i got up to go to work the next morning he was sitting in his cage still alive but wasnt normal as i opened the door to let him out and he wouldnt come out, and he didnt touch any of his food the night before which i found very odd, and literally within 2hrs of me being at work my partner rings me up to say Rufus is dead, so i dont know how it happened and i am utterly upset about it, i still cant go outside without crying.. Rex was a run away when we found him in our front yard. Gastrointestinal Stasis. (Answered!) Swallowing a sharp or large object can literally tear a rabbit's insides, causing severe internal bleeding. She had been ill for some time, and we did everything we could to make her comfortable. Why did this happen did something go wrong during giving birth, my bunny died today it's a boy im 8 years my name is Maddie I got him like 3 months ago I went to my room I see him not moving his neck is twisted.that's no fair I love him so much I call my mom and my sister, also brother we were sad im so dumb for thinking i can have a bunny the first time i got him i was so excited to get one and i come to this,last night i played with him and i give him food and water then i put him in his cage when i wake up i dont think to give hime food or water i woke up at 8 and go to get ready to leave,im so mad at my self i want to punch a wall well it was his time but why today i dont under stand, well if your reading this dont think your alone i miss him to much. This takes place before the frosty season, to help regulate their body temperature and prepare for colder weather. We rushed her to the vet as soon as we saw her and the vet said she most likely had encephalitozoonosis. Our home definitely isnt a home anymore but more than anything we just want answers. All vaccinations and treatments given i.e fly strike. The most common cause of death in rabbits is due to the heart attack caused by being frightened by loud noises. She was hopping around, drinking just fine, using the bathroom normally. Some vets have found low potassium, others low silenium, still others low calcium. We hope this article about why rabbits die suddenly with eyes wide open answered your questions. There is always a cause of death, no matter how sudden. Faders are weanlings that just don't seem to thrive. Rabbits are pretty curious animals. One of the most common causes of sudden rabbit death is that the rabbit was meant to live indoors and could not handle the temperatures outdoors. Feed this food all the time. If you notice blood around the anus, this may be a sign of internal bleeding. They can't stay at a single place for a very long time. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. He would always run to me when he saw me. Trouble breathing or gasping for breath. But the most common cause is the heart attack due to being frightened by loud noises. I checked on her frequently and she hadnt moved, and was in the same spot. He was fully grown when we took him in so I would guess he was 7 1/2 years old when he died. I have been searching the internet for the past 10 minutes looking for the answer and so far I think is was somehow Myaisis. Don't feel guilty; rabbits are easily startled/scared and can have heart attacks quickly. Yesterday morning, I found the bunny dead, flopped in the space between the machine and the magazines, with his nose almost touching the wall. My rabbit was ten weeks old when we got her and her brothershe was super healthy yesterday and this morning..they live outside so I looked out the window and saw she wasn't moving. My rabbit was perfectly time a few hours before and so was my hamster. Bacteria from the food can cling to the gut and cause bloating and lethargy. If you're questioning whether or not your rabbit was in pain when it died, here are a few things to consider. I had her for 6 years but she could have been much older. If you notice your rabbit is suddenly unable to breathe, check for signs of sudden death. 1. No other animals in the garage. Seizures in rabbits are an uncommon occurrence, caused by Symptoms were bulging eyes, and x-ray showed enlarged heart. I have no idea why..we also had 2 other 8 week olds that also diednot knowing whyits so frustratingwe have 3 left and we'll see what happens.. We have raised netherland dwarfs for many years and have seen many causes of sudden death in rabbits. Nobody wants to admit there's negative effects due to major surgery, or even hormone loss. We have tried Critical Care with faders but didn't help and I suspect there is something wrong with the digestive system that they just can't tolerate solid foods. Do Rabbits Eat Moss? There are many possible causes of sudden death in rabbits, but some of the more common ones include: gastrointestinal blockage, faders (when the stomach muscles stop being able to push food and liquids through the digestive tract), and floppy rabbit syndrome. Ferrets are hunters, and cats are wild animals that can hunt, frighten, or severely injure a pet bunny. Their bones are very delicate and break easily. Injured during improper handling by children. Now I'm wondering if there's something wrong with that bag of rabbit food. or did Bunny just die of old age? A normal miscarriage can be absorbed harmlessly, but if the pregnancy is further along when the miscarriage happens, the mother rabbit may die. If a rabbit aborts a pregnancy and cannot reabsorb the fetus, the baby rabbits will simply die inside her and create a toxic situation. For the first month of their lives, kits or baby rabbits rely solely on the milk from their mother. If you can't find any other explanation for why your bunny is dying and investigations show that they're healthy otherwise, it might be worth considering checking their temperature and keeping them warmer if necessary. I wish id kept her home that journey to a uncaring vets did her in from what i can see on here i definetly think she was in shock. I hope this helps other rabbit owners. I place the young males in a kennel with other young males around the same age, seven weeks old. He was such a sweet, lovable little guy. Learn More: Why does my dog open and close his mouth? I feel utterly broken. However, it can become detrimental when they are domesticated. Euthanasia is a humane and compassionate way to end a life. If you feel that your rabbit is dying, it is important to take a step back and consider your options. This occurs when the digestive system is unable to process food, caecal pellets, and hair ingested while grooming. Its a controlled motion, so if the rabbit dies while its eyes are wide open, it will stay like that as the rigor mortis sets in. I know everything online tells you to spay as almost all females will eventually get cancer but I would have loved to have her 4-5 good years and lose her to cancer then.. then just have her the few short months we did. In these cases, a rabbit may die several hours later. Death with the eyes open is familiar with animals. However, not knowing what the reason it can be heartbreaking. Another way to treat the painful eye condition is with an antibiotic eyedrop or ointment. Then she went under the bed to snuggle with her mate. Inappropriate In Outdoor Situations 3. With feces, watch out for changes in texture, color, or smell. However, sudden heart attacks can happen naturally. Rabbits die with their eyes open. Being poisoned by plants can happen overnight or for a month. I talk to him still and know that he'll be back home with us soon where he belongs. She was normal, the vet said there was nothing wrong with her at all. Heart Attack Caused By Fear 2. But, the last time, my dad said she looked ILL. My mum took her to the vet and she was barely alive. Tell (8am) one the hospitals open, in Louisville would see him. Our Holland Lop, Darcy died late last night. Possible sources of poison include gardening products, pesticides, washing powder, and other cleaning products. This has been very upsetting. Instead, you can cover the rabbit's eyes with a cloth or piece of paper. I know youre not supposed to keep a wild rabbit as your pet, but her whole family was dead and I was going to raise her until she was old enough. If you come across a dead rabbit, you should not try to close its eyes. No new food, she gets cleaned out regular, we have other pets but they cant touch her, I dont think she had a fright. Before your rabbit forages in the garden, make sure to remove any sharp objects, especially pieces of broken glass or anything that could be potentially very harmful to your pet. Took him to the vet, they couldnt determine cause but suspected it could be spinal injury causing a nurological defect. I have watched our cameras over and over again and saw her freak out for a second and then she laid in her bed and never got back up. It can day several . Just eating some rabbit food! My sister brought him into the house crying, holding him in her arms, saying Mistys dead! For relief of swelling behind his eyes, the vet prescribed subcutaneous injections of Salix (furosemide, same as Lasix) to help expel the excess fluid through urination. Most rabbits stop growing between 1824 months of age, and a healthy rabbit can live for 912 years. Pale and lifeless fur We found him lying in his own urine. Wife called out and said something is wrong with honey and when I got to her cage she was lying on her side kicking. When i came back out i noticed and i started searching google to see if something was going on. while i took a bath to my rabbit,he started to scream a loud.suddenly he can t able to move his hind limbs.we consulted a doctor and had two injection,after 2 hrs he died with his eyes open.we didn t expect this.the . The slow down of the ingestion and absorption of nutrients in the rabbits digestive tract. Miss her very much. The goal of treatment is to make your rabbit comfortable while treating the condition. Females need to be spade for two reasons. It may be helpful to speak with an animal care specialist or veterinarian to get more information about the dying process and what may be best for your rabbit. Another possibility is that the rabbit's eyes are already open when they die, and they simply stay that way. I went to a friends house and came back to find him lying on his side dead. Do not even consider a rabbit if you have aggressive dogs, large dogs, young untrained puppies, ferrets, or cats. In some instances, a rabbit's eyes may close shortly after death. I woke up this morning to find my Bam Bam dead in his cage. . However, some sudden causes of death may attribute to the state of the rabbit. ( Those was his favorite), My poor bunny died when I was at school and I try not to cry and he was just 10 months old but so small and the old bunny (his dad) who is 8 years old is very sad. Another possibility is that the rabbit was in pain when it died. After a few nights, the bunny became used to it and it no longer seemed to bother him. We stayed with her petting her till she passed. During those weeks, she loved the milk no problem. We took him in and he lived in our garage for 6 years. If your rabbit was healthy and showed no signs of illness, it is unlikely that natural causes are to blame. Rabbits also have a third eyelid that is translucent and will close during sleep. When a rabbit dies with eyes open, it can mean a couple different things. Some rabbits show no symptoms until they suddenly die from internal bleeding, producing a blood-stained nose as a result. Then he lies down on his side - trying to fall noisily - and remains motionless, often with his eyes wide open. I won her at the fair and till this day wish I new why. Always lick our fingers regardless. A few days ago we found our Flemish limp in her room and bleeding from her mouth and nose. They will be able to determine if there were any underlying health conditions that may have contributed to your rabbit's death. I got home from work 3 hours later and she was on her side with her head still in her pellet bowl with her eyes open, food in her mouth and mucous all over her nose [] Even the vet couldnt say anything. Although the disease is usually fatal, the prognosis can improve with aggressive treatment. This can happen if the rabbit was scared or panicked when it died. They can help you determine if your rabbit's death was due to an underlying medical condition or if it was sudden and unexpected. Hence, it is crucial to treat your rabbit immediately. If left untreated, rabbits with cataracts can progress to glaucoma, which is a more serious eye disorder. I raise Dwarf Netherlands and Dwarf Hotots, I was separating the does from her male babies. Next, speak to your veterinarian. I went with him fast to vet but he didnt know what can be so he made him 3 injections to try to make him better. Its the 4th of July, so we couldnt bring her to a vet nearby that had rabbit experience. Signs of pain in rabbits can include Hunched posture Crouching position Restlessness Excessive grooming Unusual vocalizations Loss of appetite Weight loss Additionally, rabbits can be susceptible to various illnesses, such as cancer, and if not treated early, these can lead to death. However, this does not always happen. The gastrointestinal system can also be affected by other problems, such as oligodipsia or infection. If living with young children, a rabbit can easily be injured, perhaps fatally so, after being mishandled by a child. Loss of appetite to eat and drink are the most common symptom of a viral or parasitic infection of rabbits. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Sudden death with a foul odor and dirty anal region can be attributed to a flystrike infestation. He was absolutely fine the night before. To all people out there who still considerin to get bunny or not, pls make sure that you are capable of handling this cute lil bunny, they are fragile and so not suitable for first pet but they will give u joy in return if u could handle them in right way. Your veterinarian can run various tests to make a proper diagnosis, and he will also be able to recommend treatment options. Wished I new what happened! They may not show any symptoms and behave normally, but if there is discharge from any area, especially the eyes, mouth, or anus, they may have eaten something poisonous in the garden. Its important to treat this eye condition right away to prevent blindness. By then he had another episode. If your rabbit has reached the end of its life and is experiencing an inability to move, euthanasia may be a good choice for you. He was normally very adventurous and excitable, running around, hiding under the sofas etc. I have researched and researched and the only thing that points to that was her being limp. Many human-made objects such as plastic bags, glass, and wood chips, can be ingested by rabbits. Sadly, we couldn't take her to the vet to know what happened, but it seems to me she had a heart arrest because it was unexpected. It doesn't mean he died in pain. If your rabbit dies and you suspect poison, be sure to remove the body and sterilize the area. I went to feed her and found her lying down and refusing to eat or drink I put her in a different cage and cleaned her old one. These are signs that your pet is about to pass away. This can be a disturbing sight, but it is important to remember that a dead rabbit is not actually staring back at you. Our 6 month old baby girl Holland lop "Lucky" died shortly after being spayed. If you notice that some baby rabbits are not getting enough nutrients, its essential to step in. They may also become listless, sleepy, and have a reduced ability to move around. I had her for about 3 weeks. Domestic rabbits typically live between nine and twelve years, although eight years is common as well. I heard a thud and checked on him. Rabbits are prone to hypothermia, even with cold water. Keep an eye on how often your rabbit urinates and defecates, and what the waste looks like afterwards. Children running around screaming can cause stress and anxiety for rabbits. She was fine at 6:30am but by 10am she was laying in her side dead. It is impossible to know for certain what caused your rabbit's death, but there are some things you could have done to prevent it. I grew very fond of her. My two beautiful young rabbits just died of suspected RHDV, both within a few hours of appearing unwell. Rabbits can suffer lethargy and dehydration if there are existing sicknesses or ailments. First, what were the circumstances leading up to your rabbit's death? I often wonder if there was anything I could have done to prevent his death, but ultimately I know that there was nothing I could have done.