Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We got home from Easter dinner yesterday to find out dwarf bunny with what appeared to be a serious eye infection. His one eye was sealed shut and the area around it was puffy and pink. After speaking with the after hours vet, we gently opened the eye after cleaning it with w warm, damp cloth. We intended to take him to the vet today, but when we woke up he was lying in his cage, dead. I didn't think an eye infection could get so dangerous so quickly, as he was fine 2 days ago. By the time we went to bed he seemed to be feeling better, and was starting to lick and play a little. I'm starting to wonder whether it might have been a spider bite or something, although we saw no wound. Does anyone have any idea what might have happened? I know they have weak hearts and any sort of shock can be fatal, is it possible that he was just uncomfortable enough that he gave up? Thanks in advance...

Thats very sad about your bunny! But sounds like it could have been a respiratory or "bacterial infection".

I'm certainly not a vet, but have had many bunnies over the years, and have had that happen. Always sad, no matter what the cause.

Hope you feel happier soon, take care,
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PHEve / Eve

I am so sorry about your bunny. I tend to agree with PHEve, probably a respiratory or bacterial infection. A few months ago I lost a bunny unexpectedly. She was fine when I went to bed and the next morning she was dead, lying on her bed. Looked like she died in her sleep.

The unfortunate thing about rabbits is that they hide signs of illness and weakness so well. No matter how vigialant you are, you may loose them to unknown causes.

Thanks for the good wishes, everyone. It's hard, as I'm sure you know, I didn't realize how attached to him I became in the 3 months we had him. The only consolation is that we were good to him and I know he was happy. It was difficult to see the cats wandering around the apartment, obviously wondering where he was. The ground is still a little to hard to dig properly, so we took him down to the river yesterday and let him go. Here's the best pic I have of him.

What a doll! That picture makes me want to hug him all up.

Well, we're still missing Rascal, but we decided we wanted another rabbit running around, so we went and picked another one out. His name is Floyd, and he's a reddish-brown mini rex. I'll post pics as soon as I get some good ones. His colours don't seem to photograph as well as Rascal's did. He's still getting used to his new place, but he seems a little more laid back, not quite as hyper. I'm told that's a rex thing...

I am so glad you got a new bunny! I am anxious to see a photo. I have a reddish brown mini rex. She is the calmest bunny I've ever had.

ahhhhhhhhh thats NICE glad ya decided to get a new furry lil bunny wabbit

Yes, we need some pics of Floyd

Rascals pic is adorable , hes having a hip hoppity time , and never will be sick again,
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PHEve / Eve

Maybe Electrical shock? Just a thought. I noticed cords in the pic of the bunny. If he bit one of these, his eyes would buldge like that from shock. And he might have died later from it?
Again, just a thought.
Check around your cords to see if any have bite marks.
I lost a rabbit last year to that. HIs eyes buldged and were red. he died about 12 hours later.
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Zoooooooooooooooocrazy lady

It's certainly possible. He did have a tendancy to chew on cords, but I thought we had broken him of it. We've also found out that cedar substrate can cause respiratory problems, I'm thinking that could be it as well. Thanks.