Why did my bunny pass away?

[JoDee]

I was just wondering if anyone on here would be able to answer my question about my bunny. My cat bit my bunny one day in the ear. He started to bleed a little bit but I cleaned it up and he seemed to be fine. I often checked his ear to see if it showed any sign of infection or anything and would clean it. He never gave any signs that he was injured. 2 days later I came home from work and took him out of his cage to go play outside which he loved to do. But when I set him down in the grass he just laid there and didn’t move. I went to pick him up and his ears seemed a little cold. (I didn’t know at the time like I do now that this was not a good sign.) I took him inside and he laid with me on the couch. He would move around a little bit but mostly just wanted to lay down. I even went and got him treats that he loves and he wouldn’t take it from me. Not knowing what was wrong or what to do I waited for my husband to get home to take him to the vet. He seemed to be getting worse. It was only about an hour later and we rushed him to the vet. On the way there he started to gasp for air, then started shaking horribly, peed and then passed right as we were pulling into the vet. My question is did he die from the cat bite? Did he suffer at all, and could the vet have done anything to prevent his passing? I am literally dying inside because my bunny was my baby and it is killing me that I didn’t see any signs sooner and get him to the vet sooner. Any answers would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Azerane]

I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of your rabbit. They can hide illness so well that it can be tough to notice sometimes until it’s too late.

I’m afraid I can’t tell you what may have killed your rabbit. Cats do harbour bacteria in their saliva which can cause infection leading to death, but I’ve no information on the symptoms or time frame that this occurs in. The other option which is very common is GI Stasis, which is a gut slowdown. This is a symptom of other illnesses/pain or a result of flora imbalance or gas in the gut. Symptoms are hunched posture, inactivity and restlessness, lack of appetite, fewer/smaller/no poops.

[jerseygirl]

Oh I am so sorry. It is very hard to lose them and see them pass away. I know that is a difficult thing to process. But in hindsight, if we had a choice, wouldn’t we always choose to be holding them, that they be with the ones who loved them the best when they go?

My feeling is that it wouldn’t have been to do with the bite on the ear. For what that is worth…

It appears something came on very quickly. It could be a variety of things. As Azerane mentioned, GI stasis is common. It can also occur alongside other conditions. For example, if a rabbit had severe pain from something like a kidney stone, they may stop eating and then their gut shut down.
Bloat is another condition that can come on very quickly and often take a rabbit.

There are also things like undiagnosed heart condition, liver lobe torsion or simply a bite from a poisonous insect . There is also rabbit calici virus in some regions of the world that can take a rabbit very quickly. 24 hours after infection and often without visible symptoms.

To truly determine the cause, a necrospy would have to be performed.

I would have done exactly as you did. Made vet appointment and held them to try get them warm and comfortable.
Again, Im sorry for your loss. Binky Free little Bun.

[Vienna Blue in France]

Oh I’m so sorry JoDee, it sounds as if you did everything right and I know we all look for answers, but sometimes there just isn’t one.

It sounds as if little bunbun was very loved, and from what you’ve written (did he carry on eating/pooping normally after the bite?) you really couldn’t have done more.
Binky Free little one.

[Bam]

I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s anybody’s guess what took your bunny. There is a possibility of septicemia from the cat-bite, although 2 days does sound a bit too quick.

I just lost one of my bunnies in much the same way. He had no cat-bite. He passed in my arms and I’m forever grateful that I was there to hold him and talk to him.

I’m glad you loved your bunny so much. That’s what matters now, that you gave him a life full of love.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I wish I had an answer to your question but unfortunately, I don’t. But I want to pass along my condolences. Sounds like your bunny was very loved.

(((((Binky Free)))))

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