OMG! OMG! She had babies!!!!

[birdlover]

Funny you should ask! I just got off the phone with an exotic pet vet to find out how I can give one of them supplemental formula as she is NOT thriving and I don't think putting mom over her is doing any good. Mom hates it when I hold her and is probably not letting down her milk and, this a.m., the little one just looks so malnourished and is half the size of the other 3 (who are doing very well). The pipsqueak is the prettiest one, of course! Looks like mom who looks like a cinnamon. The other 3 are shades of black like their daddy. I'll let you know how it goes with the feeding a bit later. Thanks for asking and I WILL get pics here eventually.

 

[BlueGiants]

At this age, any abnormality or problem will become most apparent.

It is possible that the littlest one has some physical issues that will prevent it from thriving. Because of the way they are arranged in the Uterine Horn at conception, they don't all develop at exactly the same rate. Some are born incapable of surviving. There are digestive issues that prevent them from getting nourishment from the milk, central nervous system problems, developmental abnormalities... that can not be seen.

See what the exotic vet can offer... I know you are at "crunch time" with the wedding...

 

[birdlover]

Thank you, BG. That's not what I wanted to hear but...we'll see. I did go get KMR formula and a bottle and have just finished trying to feed her. The bottle didn't work well so I used a syringe. I don't think I got even 2 ml. in her but I wanted to check with you to ask if I'm doing it right. She didn't ever try to suckle it but, if I put little drops on her lips, she got some down. I was terrified I was going to shoot some up her nose! :cry2 It took me about 20 minutes just to get the little bit in her I did. Is this because it's strange to her and she hasn't learned it's food yet or is this how it is every time? The vet said to give between 5 and 7 ml. at 1 - 2 wks. of age but, as I said, I barely got in 2 ml. If she doesn't do well in the next 24 hours, I should assume she's doomed?? Do you ever euthanize them or just let them die a slow death? I've had to euthanize some baby chicks and I don't think I could do a bunny. It was horrible. They were obviously suffering and I couldn't bring myself to break their necks (they were only 2 days old and had been traumatized while being sent through the mail) so I wrapped them in a soft cloth, put them in a plastic bag and ran over them with my car. I know it sounds horrible but, for them it was instantaneous and I just couldn't bring myself to use my hands. I hope this little bun doesn't have serious issues and has just been shoved aside by her bigger siblings. But I'll prepare myself for the worst. Yes, having this on top of the wedding sucks.

 

[BlueGiants]

Some are not born with the instinct to suckle. The best you can do is use the syringe and see if hand feeding will help him catch up.

With the syringe, insert the syringe feeding tip behind the two front teeth. There is a space just behind them on both sides. Gently drip in a drop at a time, and see that he swallows it. As you said, if it backs up in the mouth, he can aspirate (inhale) it into the lungs. That will cause pneumonia and will be fatal.

2 cc's is more than he would have gotten from Anabel. So anything you get in him is good. You can step up the feedings to 3-4 small feedings a day for now. If he starts taking more (like the 5-7 the vet recommends), you can cut back. If he's taking the feedings, there is always hope. (Farnam makes a kitten replacement formula with Colostrum, called First Born. Kitten milk is not the best for rabbits, but easily available.)

Hand raising a baby rabbit is very, very difficult. Even with the best intentions and skills, it is hard. Have patience and enjoy Anabel and the babies.

 

[birdlover]

No, she has the suckling instinct because, when I put her up to Annabel, I can hear her slurping but, as I said, I don't think she was getting any milk. Hopefully, she'll learn syringe=food and start to catch on. Thank you for all you wonderful help. I'll let you know how she's doing tomorrow. (I call her "she" because her mother and her look alike. LOL)

 

[birdlover]

:clapping: Just fed her again and she seemed to catch on this time. I got about 2 1/2 ml. in her and will feed again in 4 hours and, then, before I go to bed. I can tell I am falling in love with this sweet little life. I hope she makes it. Here is something I want to give you BG - :kiss:

 

[jcl_24]

Aw I he hope all the babies make it. Your love and desire to do the best for them shines through your posts here.

Good luck to you :bunnyhug:

Love to the babies :big kiss:


Jo xx

 

[BlueGiants]

How did she do through the night? Are you leaving her with the litter between feedings? I'd definitely give her the opportunity to get some (even a tiny bit of) milk from Anabel...

 

[birdlover]

She did good, I think. Seemed more energetic this a.m. Annabel was feeding them when I came in the room so I left and came back about 10 minutes later. Yes, she stays in the nest except for handfeeding times. It didn't even occur to me not to!! The 3 big ones looked full and content. "Tinkerbell" didn't so I gave her some formula but she kept falling asleep after a ml. or so so I decided to try later to get more in her. Am about to do that now.

 

[BlueGiants]

Sounds like you are doing everything just perfect! I do hope "Tink" starts catching up to her siblings.

 

[anneq]

Hope your little one survives - I know it can be so hard when they don't survive - but I know you're doing everything you can to help her.

 

[BlueGiants]

If I may be so proud as to present the photo's of the litter and the proud Momma! (And resident macho protector, Mr. Shredder!)

Mr Shredder:

Anabel, the Momma:

Anabel, nursing the babies on her belly:

The wee lil babies:

 

[birdlover]

Thanks so much for posting those, Cathy!! By the way, Mr. Shredder is not the daddy. Daddy is a black rabbit out at the farm where I got Annabel. Mr. Shredder only WISHES he could be a daddy - or, at least, go through the motions! LOL


I tried to edit the title of my post to indicate there are pictures now here but it won't let me. Do you mods have a way to override that?

 

[SweetSassy]

Mr. Shredder is a handsome Bunny :biggrin2:



Omg! Anabel is gorgeous!!! I love the pic with the baby on her belly!!



Thanks for pic's.....April

 

[BlueGiants]

:blushan: My apologies to Mr Shredder and Anabel for the misunderstanding! :shock:

 

[tonyshuman]

Continued talk on this subject: moved to Infirmary
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=49225&forum_id=16&jump_to=665995#p665995

 

[BlueGiants]

Annabel, the proud Momma:

Curious babies:

 

[anneq]

Wow they grow up so fast, don't they?!
Such cutie-pies

 

[BlueGiants]

Little Boy Blue:

Annabel and Twinkle Toes:

Uncle Hooby and Little Boy Blue:

You gonna share that hay?:

Just a nibble Mom... please?:

 

[BlueGiants]

I didn't make that mess Mom! Not ME!!!