The death of a rabbit is a hard blow for anyone who has a good bond with their animals, however, it is necessary to understand that it is a natural process that all living beings experience. In animals, it can be difficult to determine if the symptoms they present are caused by some pathology or if they are a sign that they will soon die.
At we have drawn up a list with the 5 most frequent symptoms that a rabbit is going to die, so that you can determine if something is wrong and go to your exotic animal veterinarian as quickly as possible.
1. He does not eat or drink
How to know if a rabbit is about to die? One of the most obvious symptoms is that the animal shows no interest in food and water. Doesn’t your rabbit eat hay? You should know that the lack of appetite can be caused by different pathologist, such as scabies, dental malformations or the accumulation of hairballs in the stomach. However, rabbits need to consume hay on a very regular basis and drink water to hydrate themselves, if not, they will most likely die.
2. Be still
Other signs that tell us that a rabbit is about to die are inactivity and apathy, which are also frequent in pictures of stress in rabbits. In any case, when the behavior change is very radical and the rabbit is not able to get up, we must be aware that something is wrong. We will provide a comfortable and soft space, away from noise and heat, while we contact our trusted veterinarian.
3. Has altered vital signs
When a rabbit is close to death, the vital signs are much altered, being able to observe shortness of breath or a lower temperature than usual. But how do you know what are the vital signs of a rabbit? We must pay attention to the values of a healthy adult rabbit to be able to compare them with our own rabbit:
- Body temperature: the usual is that it is between 38 ºC and 40 o
- Heart rate: it ranges between 180 and 250 beats per minute.
- Respiratory rate: between 30 and 60 breaths per minute.
- Capillary filling time: consists of observing how many seconds it takes for a mucosa to recover normal color after being pressed. You can gently test the mucosa of the gums, which should not take more than 2 seconds to regain its normal color. Likewise, if we observe the mucous membranes of blue, yellow or white, it is that our rabbit is sick.
When one or more of these signs appear, it is best to go to the vet urgently.
4. Abnormal behavior
Any animal that is close to death shows obvious behavioral changes, whether caused by the pain of a pathology or by old age. We can observe highly variable behaviors, from fear to aggressiveness. In addition, a few minutes before dying, the rabbit usually releases its sphincters, urinating and defecating anywhere.
5. The moment of transit
At the time of death, the rabbit’s breathing is altered, thus initiating the last death rattles. The rabbit will begin to breathe in a shaky and perhaps ragged way, at the same time that its pulse is slower and slower. You may also get a stiff jaw and some shaking. It is important that at this moment you are with your rabbit, so that it can be calm by your side.
What to do if a rabbit is dying?
It is not easy to manage such a delicate moment, knowing that the rabbit is dying, however, it is important to remain calm, mainly to prevent the little lagomorph from being especially nervous or anxious at this very sensitive moment. Loud noises, stress, and excessive handling should be avoided.
The ideal is to act gently and tactfully, stroking the animal to try to relax it at all times. If we feel uncomfortable, scared or especially upset, the ideal is to ask a member of our family for help so that, in their last moments, they can feel accompanied.
How to know if a rabbit is dead?
It is difficult to accept that a pet dies , so many times there are doubts about whether it has really died, is immersed in a state of torpor and, even, if it is sleeping or very weak.
However, it is a matter of recognizing the signs to make sure if your pet has died or not. First of all, how have you behaved minutes before? If you notice that she has stopped moving and breathing, her sphincters have been released and there is no response in capillary refill time, then your rabbit is dead.
To be sure, check it gently for a heartbeat or some other vital sign. If you don’t feel convinced, see your vet immediately.
What to do with a dead rabbit?
The death of a rabbit is a very painful process, but you must understand that it is something natural. After death, it’s time to decide what to do with your little friend’s body. We must go to a veterinary clinic or hospital to have their body cremated, although you can also contact an animal funeral home directly by phone, a procedure that is usually slightly cheaper.
It is very important to point out that we should never throw the corpse in the trash, as it can cause the transmission of diseases and parasites to the environment. Finally, we could bury the animal in a special place, but the most advisable thing is to act responsibly and go to a vet or a funeral home.
Finally, we want to remember that when a pet dies it is normal to go through a period of mourning and mourning. Feel free to express your grief and give yourself time to get over the death of your pet.
