The death of a rabbit is a hard blow for anyone who has a good relationship with their animals, however, it is necessary to understand that it is a natural processexperienced by all living things. 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 die soon.
On our site we have compiled a list of the most frequent 5 symptoms that a rabbit is going to die, so you can determine if something goes wrong and go to your vet of exotic animals as quickly as possible.
1. 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. Does your rabbit not eat hay? You should know that lack of appetite can be caused by different pathologies, such as scabies, dental malformations or the accumulation of hairballs in the stomach. However, rabbits need to eat hay on a very regular basis and drink water to stay hydrated, otherwise they will most likely die.
two. Stay still
Other signs that indicate that a rabbit is about to die are inactivity and apathy, also frequent in stress situations 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 you with a comfortable and soft space, away from noise and heat, while we contact our trusted veterinarian.
3. You have abnormal vital signs
When a rabbit is near death, the vital signs are very altered, which may include shortness of breath or a temperature lower than the usual But how do you know what the vital signs of a rabbit are? We must pay attention to the values of a he althy adult rabbit in order to compare them with our own rabbit:
- Body temperature: Typically between 38°C and 40°C o C.
- Heart Rate: Ranges between 180 and 250 beats per minute.
- Respiratory Rate: Between 30 and 60 breaths per minute.
- Capillary refill time: consists of observing how many seconds it takes for a mucosa to recover its normal color after being pressed. You can gently test the mucosa of the gums, which should not take more than 2 seconds to return to its normal color. Likewise, if we observe blue, yellow or white mucous membranes, 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 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 beginning the last rattles. The rabbit will begin to breathe in a rapid and perhaps ragged way, while its pulse slows down. You may also get stiff jaw and experience some tremors It is important that in At this time 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 stay calm, mainly to prevent the little lagomorph from being particularly nervous or anxious at this sensitive time. Loud noises, stress and excessive handling should be avoided.
The ideal is to act with softness and touch, caressing 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 there are often doubts as to whether it has really died, is immersed in a state drowsy and even if you are sleeping or very weak.
However, it's a matter of recognizing the signs to know if your pet has died or not. In the first place, how has he behaved minutes before? If you notice that it has stopped moving and breathing, its sphincters have been released and there is no response in the capillary refill time, then your rabbit is dead.
To be sure, check it gently for a heartbeat or other vital signs. If you are not 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 the body of your little friend. We must go to a clinic u veterinary hospital to have his body cremated, although you can also contact a funeral home directly by phone. animals, a procedure that is usually slightly cheaper.
It is very important to point out that we must never throw the carcass 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 veterinarian or a funeral home.
To finish, we want to remind you 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 the time you need to get over your pet's death. On the other hand, do not forget that children must also be aware of what happened, therefore, on our site we have the help of our psychologist, who teaches you how to explain the death of her pet to a child.
