Sudden Death of Rabbit with all Vaccs up to date

Unfortunately I found my beuatiful british giant buck dead this morning. I can't understand what I could have done wrong. He's only just past 1 year old, he has all his Myxo & VHD injections up to date, neutered at the earliest opportunity, feed only the right things with a constant supply of the best hay (dust-free). He was bonded with his sister and another neutered Netherland Dwarf male (who both seem to be fine after a thorough check).

I don't want to give too much detail, but I did notice that his 3rd eyelid was swollen & red when I found him this morning. I'm struggling to find anything that suggests what this is.

Does anyone have any ideas what may have caused him to pass on? I intend to have the other two checked by a vet, but I don't think this has been any form of disease as such.

It's just odd that he seemed otherwise healthy until I found him today.

We run a rescue service, and it's really disheartening to know the neglect other rabbits suffer before they come our way, and yet survive. And here I am giving the best possible care to a much loved bunny and I lose such a wonderful family pet without warning. I know it's awful to think that way, but.....

Anyway, any ideas/suggestions? I just want to make sure I'm not doing anything wrong

I dont have any advice, but im really sorry you lost your bun it sounds like he had a very lucky life, although it was cut short. x

I'm so sorry you lost your bun so suddenly, what a shock. It's very hard to offer any advice on this because there's so many things it could be. Re: the red eye, was he in optimum health at he time of his Myxo vaccination?

I asked a specialist about sudden death recently, and he said it's very difficult to diagnose without a post mortem. A lot of sudden deaths are attributed to VHD, but this often not the case, and Gut stasis or toxin formation are more common.

Had the bun had any trauma recently (fox alert, that kinda thing?)

I know this may be hard to hear, and I apologise for saying it at such a sensitive time, but as you run a rescue, a post mortem would perhaps (not always) answer your question, and let you know if there's something that you need to be alert with your other bunnies too. In cases where cause of death is unclear, in a colony of buns, that could save other rabbits lives.

re:

fairlybeloved wrote:We run a rescue service, and it's really disheartening to know the neglect other rabbits suffer before they come our way, and yet survive. And here I am giving the best possible care to a much loved bunny and I lose such a wonderful family pet without warning. I know it's awful to think that way, but.....

You sound very caring about your animals, only this week another rescue on here was saying something similar, don't be disheartened, they are fragile animals, and sometimes there is no logic to the pattern.

Hope yo're ok.

I am so so sorry. This is just devastating. Thinking of you x

Hi,

We run a rescue service, but don't actually have other rabbits on site: we are completely reliant on a foster care network. So (thankfully) we only have our own pet rabbits to think of here. My other two rabbits are still a concern obviously.

I've decided to press on with the PM. I've never bothered to do this when my rabbits have passed on before, but I've invested so much time & money on these big guys that I think it would be worth finding out.

Meant to also say I'm not aware of any trauma, but without watching them 100% of the time, you can never rule it out. There is a fox that patrols the area and whilst the hut & run setup are fully secure, there's a possibility they were spooked by Mr Fox at some point.

I'm sorry for your loss, I don't really have any advice either but I'm sure a PM will clear things up.

Im so sorry for your loss. What a horrible horrible shock.

Im sorry I cant help, but I hope the PM gives you the answers you need.

They are so fragile, these beautiful creatures, and every day is a gift.

Sending you hugs

Sleep tight little man x x x x

Vet not comfortable doing any checks or post-mortem on Phantom - basically said it would be inconclusive!

The other two are booked in for later for a check over. They are still LOOKING and behaving perfectly ok.

That's a bit odd I was always under the impression that vets relish the opportunity, as they learn what they can't see when the rabbit is alive.

You know, it could be something as simple as the fox being around. Giants have hearts that are too small to support their body size, so it maybe (and i don't know this to be true) that a fright or trauma could have more serious consequences for a giant.

I'm so sorry you lost him, it's horrible

Oh dear, love and healing vibes on their way.

Jo xx

No advice,sorry but just wanted to say I am very sorry for your loss.

I'm really sorry to hearabout your sudden loss I don't have any advice but just wanted to send you a