Please Help! - 2 Rabbits Suddenly Died, Very Concerned for Others

[BadWolf]

Within the week, we've had 2 rabbits basically drop dead.
Without warning, they went off their food and water and were dead in under a day.

The first was a Netherland Dwarf that I recently purchased, so recent that I thought maybe the person I got her from had lied to me about her health, or age or something, as that does happen.

The second was an unrelated 5 week old Dutch mix kit who was in a cage with all of his littermates, having just been weaned.

None of the littermates are showing any signs of unusual behavior or illness.
The 2 that died had no contact, not even in adjacent cages.

What could be killing my bunnies, and how do I protect the others?

 

[JBun]

I would suspect coccidiosis, enterotoxaemia, or e. cuniculi. Could be something else, but these are the most common contagions that cause sudden death in rabbits, even without showing any indication of illness. May be a good idea to get a fecal sample tested from one of the siblings of the bunny that died to check for cocci or pathogenic bacteria.

Another possibility is contaminated feed from mycotoxins, especially if you just opened a new bag of feed or bale of hay.

 

[ladysown]

I'd be thinking bad feed....or an entropathic illness of some sort.

 

[majorv]

It's also possible the two aren't related. Kits of weaning age can be more susceptible to enteritis. Did you notice any mucous in the kit's stool? You said you just got the Dwarf...I know they tend to stress out easier when transporting or transitioning between owners. You should mention what happened to the person you got her from.

 

[woahlookitsme]

I agree with the above comments and think that the next rabbit that dies (hopefully there wont be a next one) should get a necropsy. It might put your mind at ease

 

[BadWolf]

Thank you all.
I'll research all of your suggestions.
Hopefully there won't be another, but in case there is, I'll find out from the vet about the necropsy.
We've already put these two to rest.