Pregnant rabbit- need advice

[werecatrising]

Some of you may have seen the post in the rescue me section about the rescue who I am treating for rodenticide ingestion. Well, it turns out she is pregnant. I am really not sure what to do at this point. I have her in a 7x11x6 chain link kennel. It is covered and secure, but I really don't like having her outside. Everytime I bring her inside she freaks out, starts stomping, digging, biting the bars, etc. I really don't want her having her babies out there, but I don't want to stress her out by trying to make her a house bun too quickly. (she has been out on her own for months)

I would be stressed with a normal rabbit pregnancy, but this has so many other factors. The major concern being the rat poison. I bought one of those covered cat boxes and filled it with hay for a nesting box. I put that in a large dog house. Is this ok? I have never had a mama bun before. I want to do the best I can for her.

 

[TinysMom]

Hi! It sounds like you're trying to do the best thing for the bunny - here are a few questions because I haven't had time to check out the other thread...

• How big is your rabbit? You want the nestbox to be slightly bigger than the rabbit so she can turn around in it - but not so big that she gets comfortable in it and wants to use it like a bed.
• When is she due? You want to give her the nestbox on about day 28 of her pregnancy - most does deliver on day 31... (If you don't know when she's due and she's carrying hay around or pulling fur - then give her the box).
• Is there a room in the house or basement she could have to herself? If not - then I guess leave her outside - my fear is she might attack the babies to "protect" them if a predator comes nearby.

Peg

 

[Pipp]

If it was me, I'd move a cot into the run. (But I'm hopelessly addicted).

Has sheshown any ill effects from the rat poison? Poor girl. She may end up reabsorbing the litter or having dead kits.

She looks likeadwarfcross, is shesmall?If she's been loose for awhile, probably not her first, so that's in her favor.

Good luck with it all. Please keep us up to date!



sas:bunnydance:

 

[werecatrising]

She's a Californian, I think she weighed 7 pounds. She is showing no signs of toxicity from the rat bait, we were able to start treatment right away. I'm not sure when she is due. I knew when I got her there was a chance she was pregnant. She was part of a group who had been loose (the man was unable to catch the others, so I assume they died) I just thought she would re-absorb the litter. When I brought her inside she was in a room by herself. I don't think she likes the confinement.

 

[Pipp]

I wonder if she's ever been a house bunny. Probably not.

You had her in a room free-run? Or a cage in a room? Maybe see how she reacts to something likea closet enclosed by an NIC panel pen, or something that may seem less confining to her.(I always give mine hidey boxes with an entrance and exit cut out of it).

The covered cat pan is a good nest box. You don't want to give it to her until she starts pulling hair, if shegetsit too early,she may use it as a bedroom or litter box instead. In case she's a quick-pull-and-birth type, have to watch for that.

Good luck!



sas :goodluck

 

[werecatrising]

I had her in an x pen in a room. The closet is a good idea. I'll have to try that.

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

Everone else is right...but I don't think I saw this...did you say how old she was?

Emily

Good luck and I hope the best for her, you and the litter. ray:

 

[werecatrising]

I'm really not sure of her age. I'd guess between 6 and 7 months.

Thanks for the kind words, everyone.

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

Oh.....well if she's had a litter before, and she's that age, then she should be ok. And even if she hasn't she should be ok, because that's the usual age for breeding rabbits.
As for the kits, I have no idea if they could be born dead, etc. I mean, of course there's a possibility of that with all litters, so.....

Anyways, Good luck with her and the litter, impending.

Emily

 

[werecatrising]

Ahhh!!! I can feel them moving. Does that mean she is really close?

 

[aurora369]

Feeling the babies move means she's into her last week or so.

I would start providing her with a nest box and lots of hay seeing as the due date is unknow. It's better to be prepared then to wake up to cold dead babies all over the cage...

If she's had a litter before she's probably a bit older than 6-7 months. Larger rabbits take a bit longer to mature, so her first pregnancy was probably around 6-7 months.

Have you ever had babies before? Do you know what to do when they are born? What to do if you find cold babies?

Let us know what you know, and we'll help make sure you are as prepared as possible.

Have a read through this section:
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=12047&forum_id=17
It should give you a start, and you can ask lots of questions about anything that isn't clear.

--Dawn

 

[TreasuredFriend]

I hope she'll adjust well, and lots of good vibes for all you're doing.

 

[Orchid]

You must be so excited and yet stressed!!
I wish you well that everything turns out good!


:biggrin2:

Em

 

[TinysMom]

werecatrising wrote:

I had her in an x pen in a room. The closet is a good idea. I'll have to try that.

Its a long story - but Miss Bea had her babies in the closet in our bedroom one time. We allowed her to do so. She kicked Tiny out of the closet and stole his favorite corner.

It worked really well. Well - except for the fact that Tiny didn't get the memo that bucks don't act fatherly towards babies. He was their jungle gym as they climbed all over him and other than nursing - they hung out more with him than with Miss Bea.

I think the closet is a great idea.

Peg

 

[Pipp]

aurora369 wrote:

Feeling the babies move means she's into her last week or so.

I'm kinda curious about this. I remember reading somewhere that the best time for palpating is the 14th day? (There's some big change on the 13th or 14th days, anyway).

And I know that several members on the board definitely felt kits in around the mid-way point, but then nothing the last week, including twolitters that were reabsorbed and one thatwasborn a day after the vet said the rabbit WASN'T pregnant.

So is there usually more activity mid-term than end of term, or did I misread something?

TinysMom wrote:

I think the closet is a great idea.

Yeah,Tom Cruise can bunny sit!

(South Park joke).



sas

 

[BlueGiants]

Most breeds can be palpated around 12 days after breeding, but you really don't feel motion. They feel more like little grapes in a row (not to be confused with little cecals in a row!). (Palpating is something that needs to be approached with caution, if you don't know what you are doing, you can do damage to the litter or doe. It's best to get someone experienced to teach you.)

Sometimes, the last few days before kindling, the doe will stretch out and lay with her belly to one side (trying to get comfortable) and you may see movement that doesn't co-inside with her breathing. It tends to be more pronouncedin doescarrying bigger litters. And I think it's easier to see in the larger breeds (carrying larger litters).

I'd prefer to see her kindle where she is most comfortable. I think she can do just fine outside if it is set up properly and if she makes a proper nest. If you do bring her in, I'd do it ASAP and leave her in to give her time to adjust.