Oh no! I think little foot is pregnant!

[Ashley72]

So I did a previous post on here explaining the new mini rex I got (on saturday) that has the smaller foot, which seems like a birth defect. So today I was really watching her in the cage, and her belly seems bigish, and it's moving!!! She also lays on her side a lot, and that's how I can see her stomach moving! I'm thinking maybe she's pregnant and that's the kits moving around?! Oh gosh, this is horrible if she is. She eats and drinks a lot as well. Her poop is normal (round and lots of it) She also pees a lot. This would have happened in the petstore, as I just got her 3 days ago. They seperate the girls and boys, but I know petstores aren't always the greatest at sexing rabbits (my Barney turned out to be a girl, and I was told a boy). What do I do?!?! This happened to me before with a hamster I got from the store, it was the scariest thing!!!

 

[LindseyG]

How old is she?

 

[Ashley72]

maybe about 3 months

 

[LindseyG]

It's very rare and unlikely for a 3 month old to get pregnant. You could take her to a rabbit savvy vet though to confirm whether or not she is pregnant.

 

[MarisaAndToby]

It's actually very possible for a 3 month old to become pregnant, and not really uncommon. However, like Lindsey said, the only way to know for sure is to take her to a rabbit savvy vet. They would also be able to tell you how far along she is, and help you with what to do if/when the babies come.

 

[LindseyG]

I have heard of a 3 month old having babies, my rabbit's breeder bought a baby angora 3 1/2 months old who was pregnant. She lost her litter of course. She just didn't know how to take care of it. I didn't know it was so common.

 

[MiniLopHop]

It's not good for the mother or the babies at that age, but biology makes it possible, much like 12 or 13 year old girls having babies. It's very sad.

If you can see them moving it may be rather advanced. Hopefully the breeders here can help you with how to help her. Best of luck.

 

[Ashley72]

I posted pics of her in my other thread

 

[LakeCondo]

Oh dear.

 

[LindseyG]

Please find a rabbit savvy vet. They will probably only charge you a small exam fee and be able to tell you whether or not she is pregnant. From her picture she looks older than 3 months so thats a good thing especially if she is pregnant. Good luck with her.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

:yeahthat:ray:

 

[Ashley72]

Thanks everyone, will keep you guys updated! Just my luck!

 

[Bonnie Lee]

the poor girl I hope for the best for her! ray:

 

[Ashley72]

So just a little update: Little Foot is doing very well, I've had her for just over a week now. No babies yet, lots of movement, I have a feeling she is going to give birth this week, or early next week. I am very excited and have been researching like crazy to prepare myself. Have a nesting box ready to go, and bought lots of little blankets and what not to keep mom and babies comfy and warm. Just wondering, would one of those log ramps be ok as a nesting box, bent in an arch like a cave? Only one opening, or I have a box if that works better. Also, I can touch the babies right? I have read mixed reviews on this, and would like to be able to check them to make sure they are feeding. So far Little Foot is ok with me rubbing her belly and feeling for baby movement.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

ray:

 

[MiniLopHop]

I have never had baby rabbits, but from what I understand, you are better off with a box. The arch thing will not keep the babies confined. Unfortunately when the blind furless babies wander from the nest they can get too cold and die. The sides of a nesting box help keep them all together and warm.

Best of luck and post lots of pictures! ray:

 

[LakeCondo]

I understand, from reading the posts of breeders, that it's unusual to lose some of the babies but that sometimes if they look dead you can revive them with a little heat, like wrapping them in a cloth with something warm. I don't want to scare you, but I thought you might want to be prepared for this when there's no urgency.

But for more help, post a new topic in the breeding section

 

[CCWelch]

Hay or paper shreds are better than blankets for bedding material, a baby can get lost in the blanket and likely won't find its way back out.
Yes, you can touch the babies, I prefer to wait until they are about 24 hours old to really go through and look at them, before that I only peek and check for dead ones and remove them.