Heartbroken, Was it all my fault?

[Lady Ananke]

I come here today with a heavy broken heart. This might end up being a pretty long post, so I’ll warn you ahead of time. 

Backstory

3 years ago, We got Chloe, My first bunny. I did tons of research, bought tons of books, I wanted to make sure I was taking care of this little, joyful beautiful life as best that I could. She started out in a small “bunny cage” from petsmart, but I quickly learned that was TOO SMALL! So i bought a second one, with a fencing thing, and started “training” her to be a free roam bunny (at night she stayed in her cage) I figured this was good for when I was home (I’m a stay at home spouse, so I didn’t go out everyday!) Fast forward to the end of 2015, I started looking for my second bun! I thought it was time to get Chloe a friend, I hadn’t found the “right one” until a friend was like “Hey des, you want a bunny, she is living in a box, and needs a home” . On 1/9/2016 I brought home Khalessi. We slowly introduced Khalessi and Chloe to each other outside of the cage, They got along well, No fighting happened, a little “I’m the boss” from Chloe, (Laying her head on Khalessi’s back making her lay down) , but other then that, They were getting along great! I new it was time to build a bigger pen, now that there were two bunnies, So I decided to go on the hut for the grids to make a 5x3x3 (3 leveled) pen. With ramps and toys and goodness. I found a lady selling about 80 of them, So i snatched them up and started building. I finished there new pen area, and placed them in it on 1.25.16.

They both seemed to love it, but everything went down hill. 

On 1.26.16, I put them in the pen with their fresh veggies like I do every night. 

They were fine, and happy, and eating like normal. On 1.27.16 I had to leave at about 1:45 to go over to my sister’s because she was moving, and I was watching her friend’s children while they made the drive out of state, My other half got home at about 4pm, and then came over to my sisters to let my know, both bunnies had passed away. There were no signs of fighting (One of the bunnies is pure white, so I would have seen blood on her). Chloe was at the front of the cage by the door, and Khalessi was in the middle of the cage toward their little bed. They both looked as though they went to sleep, and never woke up, Chloe was completely clean with a little bit of poop , Khalessi’s whole bottom half was covered in poop. 

Nothing had changed, besides there pen, The pen is in the same spot as the smaller one was, They were still eating the same types of food they had been. I don’t know what happened. I’m filled with so much grief. 

I can’t help but think it was something I did, Or didn’t do correctly. I’m just… so very lost 

[Moothebun]

Bunnies can pass so suddenly for many reasons and some still unknown I would suggest getting an autopsy done on them to locate the cause. Bunnies hide pain. Maybe they both developed an illness and just hid it from you or one had a stroke or heart attack and then the other one freaked out and had a heart attack or a stroke as well. You won’t know until an autopsy is done. I’m sure it wasn’t your fault don’t be so hard on yourself. Just think that they are still together. They are looking down on you from the rainbow bridge as well as they are in your heart. Bunnies never leave any of us they are truly the biggest heart breakers. People think boys break hearts clearly they have never loved a bunny. I hope things get better and don’t hide your feelings inside if you truly need help consider a grief counselor.

[Vienna Blue in France]

Oh dear, that really is so sad. Both gone in a couple of hours !

I’m not sure you’ll find any answers…. The only new thing was the cage – the buns had been together for 3 weeks now with no aggression…

I can only think as MTB said, something like heart failure… but both?
Or maybe, the cage bits had been in contact with something toxic to buns, but surely you would have smelt it….
Or maybe the new bun brought a contagious disease with it…? But I have no idea what that could be…..?

It sounds as if they went gently, and together. Both gone in a couple of hours….? Hmmm, I can understand why you’re lost…. and I’m sorry I have no answers for you.

Unless you have a real need to know why, (and you have the money to do so), yes you could find an answer – maybe ! – with an autopsy….
Will it bring them back… unfortunately no.

It hurts now, but it will get better in time, and hopefully you can open your heart and home to a new couple soon.
Take care

[Lady Ananke]

Thank you @Moothebun and @Vienna Blue in france.

My other half also things maybe the new bunny we got a few weeks ago, might have already been sick, and maybe that is why they were getting rid of her.
It’s been a rough day, spent it taking apart the pen (for now) and crying, I know it will get better by the day.

[drwil]

It was not the new cage. They would not both die this fast from poisoning or eating something artificial.

Sounds like the other bunny had a disease. Maybe the other owners did not know about it, but responsible people would not just leave any animal in a box so Kahlessi was not well taken care of before you got her.

[Moothebun]

Or something came to mind there Couldve been pesticides on the veggies that just built up in there systems everyone uses pesticides now so if that’s the case there’s nothing you could’ve done

[Vienna Blue in France]

I did favour towards the other bun having the disease before arriving, but surely there would be the same incubation period from ‘catching’ to dying and so newbie would have died before the pet rabbit…?
Not at the EXACT same time…?
Seems they were both exposed to the same thing at the same time – whatever that ‘same thing’ was…..

[Lady Ananke]

Posted By Vienna Blue in France on 1/29/2016 6:56 AM

I did favour towards the other bun having the disease before arriving, but surely there would be the same incubation period from ‘catching’ to dying and so newbie would have died before the pet rabbit…?
Not at the EXACT same time…?
Seems they were both exposed to the same thing at the same time – whatever that ‘same thing’ was…..

I was thinking the same thin… But chloe is a lot older then the newer bunn, so Maybe it hit her harder? I’m not sure! 

But pesticides might be the cause! I’ll sadly never know. Always will be guessing. 

[Love4Bunny]

Lady Ananke, I wanted to send you my condolences. I am so very sorry for your loss. It is so heartbreaking to hear. I was reading and found this article on Enterotoxemia. I don’t know if you experienced any of this, but here is the link. I’ve also read that sometimes GI stasis can be incorrectly diagnosed as diarrhea, but I’ve no experience with either:

http://www.raising-rabbits.com/rabbit-diarrhea.html

[cinnybun2015]

I am so, so sorry for your loss. Please do not blame yourself for anything, it will just hurt you more. It seems like you loved your two buns very, very much, and they had a good life.
I am so sorry. I’m sending hugs.

[Muffinluv]

Lady Ananke, my sincere condolences. I have an Idea of what you’re going through right now, but I’ve never lost two beloved pets at once. It’s never easy losing a friend, but when they go unexpectedly, it’s only natural to blame yourself. This blame however is unwarranted. You are only guilty of trying to do what’s best for your bunnies. Instead of keeping Chloe in a tiny cage, you took it upon yourself to make her living space as wonderful as possible! We’re always trying to improve our the lives of our bunnies, I’m so sorry that something went wrong for you.

Bunnies are so good at hiding when something is wrong. It’s not your fault that they passed. You and your family are in my thoughts. It’s ok to cry for those we love. I’m so sorry for your loss. I only wish I could do more help you find some kind of solace or answer.

(((Binky Free Chloe and Khalessi)))

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