What Happened? Snowy Suddenly had Spasms and Died

[flemishwhite]

Snowy, our 3 1/2 old Flemish Giant rabbit, Snowy, seemed perfectly fine today.  She was eating normally and it was only a couple of hours ago she hopped up to me for a pet and massage.  

She was laying on the floor in one of her favorite resting places ……..and then she jumped up, ran a a few steps, turned and ran to us and collapsed in spasms.  She went limp and we shaked her trying to revive her.  I gave her mouth to mouth resuscitation.  Through out this she was crying.  Even though she was limp, she would wimper after each breath I gave her, but then eventually  there was no sound. 

My wife said that when Snowy first jumped up and ran, she slammed into the leg of our coffee table.  She thinks Snowy damaged herself by hitting the coffee table leg.  I think that whatever prompted Snowy to jump and and try to run was basically what internally was happening that was going to kill her.

Snowy was so closely bonded with her sisters, Cheyenne.  I don’t think Cheyenne knows what happened but she acted distressed by Snowy’s crying.  They slept side by side and often groomed each other.  

Thanks for any insight about what may have happened to Snowy.

[Sr. Melangell]

What a shame, only a vet maybe able to tell you what caused Snowy’s sad death, rest in peace little one, my condolences to you and your family.

[jerseygirl]

Oh, I am so sorry, flemishwhite. So distressing for you and your wife.

Unfortunately, rabbits can have a seizure and even scream or make other vocalisations when they die. Even when euthanised.

This can occur with other animals and people also.

With people, the laboured breath and odd sounds (agonal respiration) is often associated with heart attack or stroke. It’s thought to be a brain stem reflex.

To truly know what caused her death, you’d need a necropsy done, I’m afraid.

It sounds as if there was little you could do for your girl at that point except love on her. I know how heartbreaking it is. One of my own passed suddenly when she was seemingly fine all day. I was in them with cleaning and she suddenly darted across the room and started fitting. It was all so sudden and fast.

I’m touched by the fact Snowy sought you and your wife out in her last moments. She must have trusted you both very much.

***Binky Free, Snowy***

Sending some gentle (((hugs))) for Cheyenne.

[flemishwhite]

I wrote my original post only minutes after Snowy died. I hadn’t fully got the story from my wife who saw the entire thing happen. Our rabbits are house rabbits and are free ranging. They do have a pen in the living room near a coffee table. The pen’s door is always open. Both rabbits were in the pen, probably sleeping. Snowy is known to bite Cheyenne and pull out a tuft of hair and then a great game of chase ensues. My wife saw Cheyenne bolt out of the pen, followed by Snowy. As Snowy jumped out of the pen doorway, her hindleg caught the side of the door and Snowy hit the coffee table leg with her head. She made a turn heading back to my wife as she collapsed in spasms. So spinal cord damage is now a suspect.

Of the two rabbits Snowy was the most affectionate. Last night, unable to sleep, I sat down to read the internet news. Snowy hopped and sat down beside me. xIt was comforting to have her peacefully laying down beside me. I never expected she’d be gone.

[Q8bunny]

My heart aches for your loss… ? Binky free, Snowy.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so very sorry for your loss. It’s always hard but especially when it’s so sudden.

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

[Author]

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