Lost 2 bunnies in 2 days.

[drpepper]

So, me and my girlfriend decided to get 2 bunnies (mini lops) I done my research for about 2 months before and when they to pick them as babies from a reputable breeder, because they were from different litters we got one 2 week’s before the other, she settled in well and loved being handled. 5 days ago we picked up the next bunny, we put them in cages next to each other to acclimatise them to each other and all was fine. 2 nights ago my older bunny seemed weak and lifeless I picked her up from her run and she was having difficulty and kind of clicking as she was breathing. Within 5 minutes her legs started jumping uncontrollably and she screamed a couple of time and stopped breathing, we were upset and clueless what caused this then tonight I woke up to the youngest huddled in a corner crying/screaming, struggling for breath and clicking as seen breathed, 5 minutes later the exact same thing happened. Their cages have no dust just alfalfa hay, petsafe bedding and wood pellet litter so I am absolutely clueless and devastated by this. I’ve spent around 200 pound on the rabbits and equipment for them.
If anyone can give me any idea what’s to blame it would be greatly appreciated thanks in advance.

[Mikey]

Side note, you cant just put two rabbits together. If you choose to get rabbits again, each rabbit needs their own cage until two months after theyve been neutered/spayed, and after atleast one month of prebonding. If you just put them together, you risk accidental litters and the rabbits fighting which can lead to a bloody mess, and death.

It sounds like they both had a genetic problem (the clicking while breathing). The flailing out was likely a seizure, which is very common before a rabbit dies. Its also possible one or both of them had a parasite.

What temperature is their room/your home? What bedding did you use (as rabbits shouldnt have bedding outside of fleece blankets)? Did you notify the breeder of the deaths?

Im very sorry for your losses I dont think there was much you couldve done to prevent this, sadly (((((VIBES)))))

[Sirius&Luna]

Mikey, it sounds like they did have their own cages.

It sounds like you’re in the UK, since you said pounds. Were the bunnies vaccinated? Rabbits in the UK need to be vaccinated against myxamatosis, VHD1 & VHD2 (which will cost about £100 per year per rabbit).

If you do get more rabbits, please make sure that the hutches are thoroughly disinfected in case it was one of those infectious diseases, although as Mikey says, it could have been a genetic problem.

[Fluffykins]

Some sort of infectious disease is my first thought. I’d notify the breeder so she’s aware incase it’s something they picked up from her side.

[Luna]

I’m so sorry. I agree it sounds genetic or an infectious disease, but it seems less likely that it would be genetic if they came from different litters. Did the breeder mention how old they were? If they were less than 8 weeks old, then it could be that they were separated from their mother too early. I hope this terribly sad experience doesn’t put you off on getting buns again. As Sirius&Luna said, if you decide to get another bun, make sure you disinfect everything the other buns used. I probably wouldn’t get the buns from the breeder though, just in case there is an outbreak there.

[Bam]

I’m very sorry. You should contact the breeder.

If you are in the U.K. there’s an infectious disease called RVHD2 that’s currently killing many rabbits. It affects young rabbits worst. It kills the rabbit rapidly, many don’t show any symptoms until they’re dying. It’s highly contagious and the virus can travel inside on veggies or grass or even hay, it can be tracked inside on shoes. Have you been in contact with any other rabbits during the time you had your bunnies?

[jerseygirl]

How awful for you & your partner. Im sorry for your loss.
Binky Free Little Ones.

To really know what took them, you would need a vet to perform a necrospy. And even that does not always give definite results.

Something like calicivirus (RVHD or RVHD2) was my first thought also. Rabbit succumb quickly if they contract it, sometimes without any symptoms. The RVHD2 variant is a bit more prolonged and some survive it but it also present with a variety of symptoms. It’s very prevalent in the UK. http://rhd2map.buntools.org.uk/index.php?&p=cases
http://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rvhd2-update-november-2017/

If you are considering some more rabbits in future, you will need to thoroughly disinfect the cages and other items as a precaution. In case it was a virus or some other infectious agent that led to this.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Very sorry about the loss of your bunnies.

((((Binky Free))))

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