Hello!

My first time posting so hopefully I’m doing this right!  I had two bonded bunnies, we had Hugo first and then got Bella when Hugo was around 1 year old, they were inseparable since and completely in love.  Bella unfortunately died last night whilst at the vets, and I read that I should let Hugo see her body and have a couple of hours with her to let him understand and grieve.  However, when I mentioned this to the vet she said this wasn’t a good idea as we are unsure what caused her death and it could have been something contagious.

Both bunnies live in the same hutch/room and use the same litter box/food and water bowls.. Bella died of gut stasis but the vet said this could be caused by lots of different things and they weren’t sure what.  They have always been indoor rabbits and as we have only lived in flats, they have only been in a friends garden once. 

Is it possible that it could have been contagious?  If so, how plausible is it that Hugo would have already contracted it from Bella before she died?  (Hugo seems completely healthy apart from wondering where poor Bella is )

I hope this makes sense, any help would be much appreciated!  I want to do whats best for Hugo.

Thankyou!