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Do bunnies actually die from old age?
- Thread starter dayle_x
- Start date
Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
Just noticed from seeing Rainbow Bridge that many die of illnesses and the like.
Can they die from old age?
Its sad that they are prone to so many things, and even sadder that a lot is very severe and kills them
Yes, they certainly can die from old age
parsnipbun
Wise Old Thumper
As with humans - as buns get elderly (8 or 9 or so) they become more prone to things like arthritis, pneumonia etc and also in some cases cancers. They may suffer strokes or heart attacks or finally succumb to a virus that they have carried since young (such as EC) or have degenerative problems.
Our Sweet Pea died of what I would say was just 'old age' (he was 10 or possibly 11) - but in fact we had to make the sad decision to have him PTS because a series if degenerative ailments following a small stroke meant that he no longer enjoyed life and he was nearing the end. he would have died within the next couple of weeks as his gut function had started to close down and he had degenerative mucscles in gut and limbs.
So I guess the answer is - yes they do die of 'old age' but usually in the form of an illness associated with old age. Unlike humans they can also be helped out of a long period of suffering at the end of life.
A happy book closed with a happy ending.
Our Sweet Pea died of what I would say was just 'old age' (he was 10 or possibly 11) - but in fact we had to make the sad decision to have him PTS because a series if degenerative ailments following a small stroke meant that he no longer enjoyed life and he was nearing the end. he would have died within the next couple of weeks as his gut function had started to close down and he had degenerative mucscles in gut and limbs.
So I guess the answer is - yes they do die of 'old age' but usually in the form of an illness associated with old age. Unlike humans they can also be helped out of a long period of suffering at the end of life.
A happy book closed with a happy ending.
the bunny girl
Warren Scout
yes they do just the same with people . I have an 11yr old girl here and i worry about how she will cope this winter and her cancer is back
parsnipbun
Wise Old Thumper
I brought Sweet Pea in for his 'final' winter and it made SUCH a difference for him. Do consider it if you can.
marie_kubiak
Alpha Buck
If you mean can buns live to an elderly age, then yes, I have a few teenagers that I see occasionally.
Unfortunately 'old age' can never be a true cause of them passing on, there has to be a disease process (often organ degeneration at advanced ages) to upset the balance. Old age is generally a vague catch-all term for undiagnosed problems. Sorry to be a pedant
Unfortunately 'old age' can never be a true cause of them passing on, there has to be a disease process (often organ degeneration at advanced ages) to upset the balance. Old age is generally a vague catch-all term for undiagnosed problems. Sorry to be a pedant
