My Bunny Passed away and I dont know why…

[R.I.P. Nibbler]

My cute little Holland lop was only 2.5 years old. Very active and playful. I got him and his brother from a breeder in Michigan (did not know much about breeders back then). early morning on Saturday (around 3 am) my husband and I found him on his side twitching. He was jumping in the air trying to sit down but he could not. We immediately took him to emergency room (Avian Animal hospital in Bothell, WA). They suspected E.cuniculi or ear infection. The vet started antibiotics, pain medication, and nausea medication right away and they kept him in the hospital. The next day they washed his ears, told us he had ear infection; and they took his blood for E. testing. On Saturday we went and visited him. He was not in good shape.. piece of my heart was just laying down, looking stressed… he had an IV in one of his little floppy ears, and the doctor was worried about loss of feeling in his back feets and also she was worried that he hadn’t pooped or peed.  Sunday morning they called us that he is dead. I am so crushed and I cannot stop crying when I remember my little guy so joyful and happy.. What the heck happened? I keep blaming myself that I could have done something for him and I didn’t act fast. What is killing me the most is that he asked for a treat before all of this happened and I did not give it to him because of wet poops in their enclosure (their tommy is very sensitive to treats and I only give them fresh fruits and vegetables). All I am left with is a dead bunny (without knowing the cause of death), his lonely brother, which I am so afraid he will get depressed, and $1400 vet bill. The testing on E.cuniculi is pending and they want me to start my other bunny (Cream Puff) on antibiotics right away if the test for Nibbler’s E. Cuniculi comes back positive. I don’t understand this though because nibbler had no head tilt and did not show any change in his appetite, so why did he get so sick all of the sudden.

Also I have to (not my choice since I live with other people) keep them in the garage (8X10 enclosure) and I am so scared that maybe bugs and specially ear wigs hurt him.. I just don’t want the same thing happen to my Cream Puff.

Sorry for the long message… Please let me know what you think. Thanks.

Sara Allen

[Sarita]

I’m so sorry – many times we just cannot know why our little furbabies pass and honestly I would say don’t blame yourself.

The only way to know more would have been to do a necropsy.

I understand why you keep them in the garage and I don’t know where you live but as long as the garage is climate controlled and on cement I don’t know why there would be a cause for concern – it’s not ideal but sometimes you must do what you must do.

Just keep Nibbler company and he will be fine. As for EC most rabbits have this and not all are symptomatic – much live HIV – you can live with it and only when symptomatic is there cause for concern.

Hugs

[R.I.P. Nibbler]

Thank you so much for your reply. The garage has a heater and a small fan for summer. I normally keep the temperature around 70s. I live in Woodinville, WA. I put blankets and towels inside the enclosure. My cream puff looks sad and he doesn’t really want any company. I don’t want him to get depressed and miss his little buddy/brother I ordered some toys for him from binkybunny.com, hopefully it will help him snap out of this mood…

[LongEaredLions]

I am sorry for your loss. It is not your fault, bunnies can become sick very fast, and you did everything you can. I am also sending hugs and bunny nose rubs to you and Creampuff.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so very sorry for your loss. I’ve had a bunny pass very suddenly without ever finding out why. It’s hard. You obviously loved him very much and he will never be gone, as long as you remember him.

Make sure to give lots of love and attention to your other bunny. He will need you now.

[MK]

I’m sorry that you lost him I lost a bunny very suddenly about a year back, too. I understand about the garage, I have to keep mine in there too. Yes, I would try and spend more time than usual with Cream Puff.

[michelleann31]

I’m so sorry for your loss, you can’t blame yourself for what happened, and it certainly sounds like you did everything you could for him.

[Author]

Messages