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how long does a dwarf rabbit live? Because I only had my rabbit for two years and it died. Is it old? Also what happen to the died body if I didnt bury it?

Submitted: 1207 days and 15 hours ago.
Category: Pet
Value: $8
Status: CLOSED
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Age: 2; Male; Breed: Dwarf rabbit

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Posted by Danielle 1207 days and 14 hours ago.

Answer

Dwarf rabbits have a lifespan of 8-10 years, but can live as long as 14. If yours died at 2 years old, then he definitely had an illness. As far as the body goes, if you didn't bury it, it's hard to determine what happened to it without knowing where you placed it.

Here is a wonderful website with information on raising rabbits, and how to spot common illnesses:

www.rabbit.org

Hope this helps!

1207 days and 14 hours ago.

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Reply to Danielle's Post: the day before my rabbit died, he had watery eyes and that it seem to me that he was breathing harder. He didnt eat or drink couple hours before i found him dead.But the day before that, he seem very normal, he was eating and drinking fine. Do you know what might be the reason for his death? I put him in a box with no lid in 2 plastic bags and put him in a garbage, do you know whats going to happen to the body? i had no place to bury him thats why.

Posted by Danielle 1207 days and 13 hours ago.

Answer

Watery eyes, trouble breathing, and lack of appetite usually point to an upper respiratory infection. These are very common in rabbits, unfortunately. They are also very deadly, because some rabbits will mask their symptoms until it's almost too late to treat them. If you ever get another rabbit, symptoms to keep an eye on are lack of appetite, watery eyes, sneezing, congestion, trouble breathing, and weakness. These are all signs of illness, and watery eyes, sneezing, and lethargy are signs of an upper respiratory infection. If you ever notice these symptoms in any future rabbits, definitely seek veterinary attention immediately.

If you placed him in the garbage, then he most likely ended up at the local dump. I'm so sorry to put it that way, I was trying to find the easiest way to explain that. Unfortunately, anything dumped in local dumpsters, in garbage cans, or in the trash, usually end up at local dump yards after being picked up by the garbage men.

I'm so sorry for your loss, if you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Hope this helps!

1207 days and 13 hours ago.

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Reply to Danielle's Post: sorry I'm asking too much question, is there reason why he would get watery eyes? is it something because something wrong inside his body? is there a reason why he was breathing hard before he died?so you think it got to do with anything how he died with heat?

Posted by Danielle 1207 days and 13 hours ago.

Answer

You are definitely not asking too many questions! This was a beloved pet, so ask whatever questions you have on your mind about him. :)

If it was an upper respiratory infection, the watery eyes and trouble breathing were due to the infection. A URI in a rabbit is like the flu in a human. When a person has the flu, or a bad cold, they get congested, watery eyes, runny nose, ect. However, rabbits are unable to fight off the infection like a human can, making the average cold a deadly situation in a rabbit.

If he was housed outside, the heat could've played a factor in it, and it brings up the possibility that it could've been a heat stroke or heat exhaustion. The heavy breathing and watery eyes, as well as lack of appetite, could have definitely been a result of over-heating. The way the heat has been lately across the nation, the possibility of a heat related death in your rabbit is very possible.

1207 days and 12 hours ago.

Reply

Reply to Danielle's Post: I wanted to click on accept already but i just have a few things i wanted to say before I click on accept. First thing is I guess it was because of the heat related because its been so hot that he died. Also i was just so sad he died pretty young. The third thing i wanted to say was..THANK YOU so much for answering my questions. Its been very helpful. After you message back to me..ill click on accept. I just wanted to say thank you first before i click on it now cause if i did then you wouldnt know i wanted to say thank you.

Accepted Answer

You're very welcome! I'm so fond of rabbits, I have two myself that are my babies. I am so incredibly sorry that he died at such a young age, however it was not your fault at all. The heat has been so brutal all over lately, with heat waves hitting everywhere. Anyone can tell that you were a wonderful owner, who cared very much for him. Take care!

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Expert: Danielle
Pos. Feedback: 97.8 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 8/3/2006

Animal Care Expert

10+ years experience with rodents and rabbits, 7+ years experience with freshwater fish and reptiles

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