Questions about pregnant doe...

[MsBinky]

I have been reading various threads on pregnancy and I have a few questions...

1) I know that diet changes should be avoided during the gestation period. However, I believe the poor thing will be on pretty crappy food and I found a good one (wooo!) so would it be better to switch?

2) I heard that babies can be born days apart. I am guessing that a doe that is straining is in trouble. But if she doesn't strain is there a possibility of trouble or is it always obvious?

3) And can someone recommend a list of things that I should have on hand please?

Any other things I should know about?

 

[BlueGiants]

MsBinky wrote:

I have been reading various threads on pregnancy and I have a few questions...

1) I know that diet changes should be avoided during the gestation period. However, I believe the poor thing will be on pretty crappy food and I found a good one (wooo!) so would it be better to switch?

I wouldn't hesitate weaning her over to a better feed even if she is pregnant. It can't hurt the babies and better nutrition will help her as well as the babies.

2) I heard that babies can be born days apart. I am guessing that a doe that is straining is in trouble. But if she doesn't strain is there a possibility of trouble or is it always obvious?

It's very unusual for babies to be born days apart... one of the reasons it was discussed here. Most does have the entire litter in about 15-20 minutes with no difficulties. Most of the time, you won't even know they are kindling (except that she is in the nestbox.)

Most problems will be obvious (but not all...). Straining will indicate a problem, as will excessive bleeding (I mean blood dripping/oozing out of the vulva). In either case, a vet will need to intervene. Most kindles are perfectly normal and the does handle it just fine. You will have to check the nestbox when she is done (after she leaves the nest, cleans herself and is relaxed). You can give the doe a little treat to distract her. Make sure all the babies are in the nest, warm and moving. (Remove any that are not...).

3) And can someone recommend a list of things that I should have on hand please?

I prefer to give the does a nestbox to kindle in (some people just give a nest of hay and straw). I keep a heating pad and towels in a shoe box, incase the babies need to be warmed or kept seperate. There is very little you can do for a newborn. Either they make it or they don't. The best thing you can do is make sure they are warm and quiet and the doe is comfortable.

Any other things I should know about?

Relax and let her do what comes naturally. The less you intervene the better for her. Move slowly around her and talk quietly, especially if she isn't used to you. Have patience, her hormones will be fluctuating for a couple of days. She may be protective and aggressive... give her time. She may not feed them for a full day after they are born. They have fat reserves that will hold them over. It may take 8-12 hours for the milk to drop, have patience.

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

BlueGiants covered most of it. Another thing to have on hand is the emergency vet's number so if anything does go wrong, you won't have to look up a vet.

Checking to make sure there isn't a stuck kit is essential. You will see it half sticking out of the vulva. This does not happen often but it is a possibility. I wouldn't recommend pulling it out as you could cause a hemorrage if you pull too fast or not with the doe's contractions. Best to take her to a vet.

Also, paying attention to the doe's attitude near the day she is due is ideal. Spend a couple of minutes now and then to just sit back and watch her. Check to be sure that she is acting normal and is not in labor. If the doe is in labor too long, she needs a trip to the vet.

Sharon

 

[MsBinky]

Thanks everyone for the advice The problem is no one has any idea when she could be due :?

 

[BlueGiants]

:yeahthat:
Thanks Sharon!

Keep an eye on her and watch her. You will see her run around with a mouth full of hay. (Pretty funny to watch!) Then you'll know she is getting ready. Some does will start that behavior the day before she kindles. Some will do it 10 minutes before the kindle! She'll jump in and out of the box and dig a hole in the nesting material. You may also notice she goes off feed for a few hours, she may get quiet and want to sit by the nest box. It's tough when you don't know her due date! Please let us know!!!

 

[TinysMom]

Not all breeders do this - but I do give Tums a day or two before the day the doe is due....for the calcium in it.

I especially do this with first time mamas....many breeders don't do this - I just choose to do it because many of the lionhead breeders I know have recommended it to me.

Peg

 

[MsBinky]

Thank you everyone. I have changed the feed and mixed in alfalfa with the Timothy though tomorrow I will put more.

I'm so nervous but making sure to stay focussed so I don't stress her more.

*Crosses fingers and everything elseI can cross*

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

When is she due?

 

[BlueGiants]

Don't be nervous! She'll pick up on it and not know why your stressed... and she'll get stressed! Stay calm... I know your worried about her, but she will handle it...

Keep the number of the vet handy, and be patient.

 

[FusedBrain]

In normal circumstances and on average, does will kindle 31 days after mating. Would there be any grace periods if the doe does not kindle exactly on the 31st day? How long should it be before it becomes an emergency?

 

[BlueGiants]

Some of my giants have gone 33-34 days with no complications. The longest my Mini Rex have gone is 32 days. Generally, if they don't kindle by then, they were not pregnant.

If you are sure she was pregnant and nothing is delivered, by the 33rd day,you cantake her to the vet for an evaluation.

 

[FusedBrain]

Alright....thanks a lot for the pointers....

 

[polly]

Hi Sophie new foster??

don't worry you will be fine i have a doe that will wait till day 35 before kindling.

My advice would be don't mess with the nest much or at all if you can.

i also give raspberry leaves for a few days before kindling as well as it is meant to help the uterus.

Good luck and keep us posted

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

If you give her spinach or raspberry leaves (about 2 or 3 leaves a day) for about 5 days leading up to the birth, these will actually strengthen her uterus for when she's in labor. It will help her to be able to have them faster, without the possibility of straining to push them out. Of course, she'll still have to strain a little to push, but the uterus will be much stronger and all. hope this helps!

Emily

Edited to Add: Polly mentioned raspberry leaves as well. ^^^

 

[Pipp]

While Polly is a very trusted member here, I wouldn't personally be taking breedingadvice from BlueSkyAcresRabbitry. :shock:

 

[TinysMom]

I have never used raspberry leaves as I can not get them here and if you do choose to use them - you will want to make sure that they have not been someplace where folks spray pesticides.

There are websites that recommend this though and here are links to some of them:

http://www.adorablerabbits.co.uk/vegweedsherbs.htm

http://homepage.sunrise.ch/homepage/pglaus/apothekee.htm

http://www.ccia.com/public/foxaway/health.html

I have not had time to read all of those sites - they came up when I googled for information.

Perhaps Polly or another reputable breeder who has used these will be back on tomorrow and can give dosage amounts. I wish I could help you more with that.

Peg

 

[Bramblerose]

I do feed fresh raspberry leaves and soft growth to all of my rabbits in the growing season, they like it, and I feel that it does help the does. I can't really give doses as the stuff is fresh, I do feed in moderation, they really like the soft shoots that are just coming up.

 

[polly]

Hi i actually have to buy dried raspberry leaves as the freshare so seasonable here. and i get them from www.bunnybasics.net (i know thats not much use in the USA sorry but might help any UK breeders out there)

Mine come crushed and i give about a tablespoon full or slightly more a day for around 3 days before kindling. Bear in mind its netherlands i breed so they are relatively small so you might want to give a afew more if the bun is larger

I also do the same as Peg and give tums (or our equivalent which is Rennies) for a couple of days before kindling

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

Pipp wrote:

While Polly is a very trusted member here, I wouldn't personally be taking breedingadvice from BlueSkyAcresRabbitry. :shock:

I'm sorry Pipp but that's just plain rude. I gave the advice on raspberry leaves that everyone else is giving, so thanks for making that clear -not.