Sudden Liver and Kidney Failure

[Tracey]

My friend a Dutch Lop-Ear Bunny just passed this Thursday. I noticed two days prior she was depressed looking and did not greet me like she normally would but still was eating drinking and going to bathroom like normal. The next day I was visiting with family when I was told she stopped eating and hadn’t went to the bathroom. I came home that night and tried to keep her warm. Her ears and body were cold. She wouldn’t eat but wanted water. I took her to the vet the next morning and insisted in a full body X-ray. The vet found that she had an intestinal blockage and the only way to treat it was surgery I was recommended to a specialty clinic three hours away near Seattle. By the time I got there her temp was at 106. I was told later that her bloodwork found that her liver and kidneys were looking like they were failing. A few hours later she went into a seizure and went into cardiac arrest. She never made it to surgery. After a very traumatizing event and $1400 later, I still haven’t had any explanation from either vets as to why her organs were in such bad shape.
My rabbit was on a very limited intake of pellets. Lots of hay and greens. Had an indoor and outdoor space. No previous illnesses.
Overall I thought she was well taken care of and happy.
Could anyone please weigh in on how a sudden organ failure could happen?

[jerseygirl]

Hi Tracey

I’m so very sorry to hear your rabbit passed so suddenly. They are such endearing animals and it is so very hard to lose them. My condolences to you.

I do wonder if perhaps she contracted calici virus? There was an outbreak of rabbit haemorrhagic virus (RVHD2) in B.C. and Vancouver Island during the year. There was some concern it could make its way to the States.

There has been reports now of the other strain, RVHD1, in OH & PA but I believe these are mostly isolated incidents.

Could you ask the vet to find out if other vets in the area have seen similar presentation of illness like they saw with your rabbit?

[FlemishDad]

So sorry for your loss.

It is really hard to diagnose from a distance. Intestinal problems can lead to sepsis and that can cause multiple organ failure very quickly. Or it could be a contagious virus, or it could have been an ongoing problem with no symptoms. It doesn’t sound like there was anything wrong with your care. Sometimes rabbits get sick and they are relatively fragile.

[meridiian]

Hi Tracey

I’m really sorry your lost your friend. This is so sad, you did everything you could to save her! I hope some answers are forthcoming,

Jerseygirl’s suggestion is a good one. Has any other bunny fallen under similar circumstances in your area?

xx

[Author]

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