PLEASE help me! What happened?

[Jenny]

I recently adopted a rabbit that was 7. I gave him a good life. I went in today and he wasn’t very responsive. I assumed it was because of pain because he was recovering from a broken knee. He heart rate was up slightly, but it is often. However, it was not rapid. He gets worn out easily. I gave him his daily pain medication. 30 mins later I heard him squeal and run under his bed. Then he thrashed around in the cage violently. Less than 5 mins later he was screaming like crazy and lying on his side. He acted like he was trying to get up (not sure he was mentally there to be honest), however, he couldn’t. He acting like he was trying to run. He squealed, jerked, and his chest wouldn’t appear to have one large pump randomly. He had a respiratory infection he was also getting over, however he should have been much better at this point. I know he was old, but I feel like this was somehow my fault. I feel awful. I keep the house a little warmer, and it crept to around 80 today, please tell me that is not why….. I was on my way to the vet when he died….  He did seem a little off the other day. Just not as excited to see me. When I got him he had the infection and broken knee. He was not bloated, and he was fine this morning. Ate breakfast.

He was also not fixed. He mounted everything. It seemed to be the only thing on his mind. I was debating getting him fixed because of his age. When I got him he was in a small cage with nothing in it, and I put him in a cage that was large and had a bed and such. He mounted his bed a lot throughout the day. Could the stress of wanting to mate suddenly, have caused a lot of stress on him? 

[anilec]

I am so sorry for your loss. If you really want to know the cause your best option is to get the body checked by the vet, but i’m sure that it wasn’t your fault. Fly high little bun!

[DanaNM]

I am so sorry for your loss  

It sounds like you were doing the very best for him, and it sounds like something very serious happened (cancer, heart attack, collapsed lung, seizure….). I don’t think was anything that you could have done, and it doesn’t sound like it was your fault in anyway. 

As you said, he had eaten his breakfast, and he had been to the vet recently for his other issues, and was on pain meds, so it sounds like you were doing everything right by him. 

I’m sorry you had such a short time with him. As you said, you gave him a good life.

[[ Binky free little one }}

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Luna]

I’m sorry about the loss of your bun. I agree with DanaNM; it sounds like he experienced some sort of heart attack/seizure. Generally, heart attack/seizures are sudden and unpreventable.

[Jenny]

Thanks guys… when I adopted him I knew that I may not have much time. However, I felt as though I could provide a nice home for him because of my experience with another rabbit that I had until her late senior years. Even though I know he had a great life with me, probably the best month of his life…. It made me feel bad as though I had messed up. It breaks my heart, but he was greatly loved and cared for…..

[DanaNM]

He probably did have the best month of his life! Especially with that bed  !

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[jerseygirl]

Im sorry for your loss.
Rabbits can have a seizure and even scream as part of the dying process. Other animals too.. Certainly not a nice thing to witness. They may not be “mentally there” by that point, as you suspected. And that would be a blessing.

I agree that perhaps it was his heart. There can heart conditions that bring on respiratory conditions. In those cases, it does come down to pallative care.

Even though I know he had a great life with me, probably the best month of his life…. It made me feel bad as though I had messed up. It breaks my heart, but he was greatly loved and cared for…..

That’s what is important, so thank you for giving him that!

[sarahthegemini]

Poor little sweetheart, binky on little one xxx

Thank you for giving him a loving home for his last days.

[Sr. Melangell]

My condolences.

You did everything you could possibly do to help this little guy, sadly these things happen and we think ‘What did I do wrong?’ Or ‘Why did it happen?’ Its all normal, but you did everything for him, he is in your heart, once they get in your heart they never leave, caring for a sick animal is never easy, I’m pretty sure if there is a God, he will be telling him you did everything for him, I’m trying to say this in a nice way, but if he was not mentally there, he probably didn’t know it was happening, don’t blame yourself because he wouldn’t like that if he knew, maybe in time you will decide to get another bunny.

Take care Jade and Olly xx

[Jenny]

Thanks everyone… You guys have really helped me

[Author]

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