Alice has mastitis and/or an abscess.
The swelling is on her left side just above the first teat. It is about the size of a large walnut and looks like it may break open. There is also some lesser swelling around the teat itself. The teat is not hard or darkened. The area around the swelling is red but not as dark a red as one might expect. The area is not hot to the touch and Alice does not seem bothered by it. Her appetite and activity level are both good, normal in fact, and the other teats appear to be fine.
We believe the infection to have started as a result of Alice's habit of resting that side against the cement blocks that hold the water crock in place. These have been removed and the whole pen cleaned out. We put down a layer of pine shavings to absorb any moisture. Nothing like closing the barn door after the horse has been stolen.
Alice's five kits were three weeks old yesterday. She typically would wean them over the next week or so, since she is in a colony and tends to rebreed happily. This last pregnancy was an OOPS (dratted Sex Change Fairy) and Alice was supposed to be resting for a few weeks then. We found and removed the buck responsible immediately upon discovering the kits, but it may have been too late. So she may be pregnant again (although she doesn't look it) and could kindle again in just over a week.
In addition to her regular hay and greens, we have been feeding Alice an enriched mix with wheat, oatmeal, sunflower seeds and a touch of blackstrap molasses. She has also been getting frequent treats of cooked potato, of which she is very fond. We felt she needed the calories since she has been a bit thin and nursed down. Having this OOPS litter only made things worse. In spite of her excellent appetite, she has been having trouble putting weight back on. I pulled this enriched mixture this morning, thinking that perhaps it contributed to the problem. I am giving her grass hay, gathered greens and kitchen oatmeal for the moment. I normally feed a natural diet of alfalfa and grass hay, gathered greens and whole grain, usually wheat. I'd like to hear what others think about whether a lighter diet may help dry her up or whether it is better to continue with the rich diet in hopes of building her up.
Sorry for the long post. I have tried to include the information that seems relevant. I need advice about how to treat this problem. I would also welcome opinions on whether to try drying her up by giving her herbs like mint, sage and yarrow - all of which she likes but that I normally withhold when a doe is pregnant or nursing.
My rabbits have been so healthy and trouble-free in the six years I've had them. We had two sudden deaths but sudden death gives no experience with treating problems. I feel like a newbie... and a pretty clueless one at that. Please help if you have experience with this. I don't know whether to apply hot compresses or to give her an ice bottle to lie against to reduce swelling. Should I treat it like an abscess and lance the swelling? Should I try to dry her up or let the kits keep nursing. I don't think they can use the affected teat and with only five there is no reason for them to try.
The swelling is on her left side just above the first teat. It is about the size of a large walnut and looks like it may break open. There is also some lesser swelling around the teat itself. The teat is not hard or darkened. The area around the swelling is red but not as dark a red as one might expect. The area is not hot to the touch and Alice does not seem bothered by it. Her appetite and activity level are both good, normal in fact, and the other teats appear to be fine.
We believe the infection to have started as a result of Alice's habit of resting that side against the cement blocks that hold the water crock in place. These have been removed and the whole pen cleaned out. We put down a layer of pine shavings to absorb any moisture. Nothing like closing the barn door after the horse has been stolen.
Alice's five kits were three weeks old yesterday. She typically would wean them over the next week or so, since she is in a colony and tends to rebreed happily. This last pregnancy was an OOPS (dratted Sex Change Fairy) and Alice was supposed to be resting for a few weeks then. We found and removed the buck responsible immediately upon discovering the kits, but it may have been too late. So she may be pregnant again (although she doesn't look it) and could kindle again in just over a week.
In addition to her regular hay and greens, we have been feeding Alice an enriched mix with wheat, oatmeal, sunflower seeds and a touch of blackstrap molasses. She has also been getting frequent treats of cooked potato, of which she is very fond. We felt she needed the calories since she has been a bit thin and nursed down. Having this OOPS litter only made things worse. In spite of her excellent appetite, she has been having trouble putting weight back on. I pulled this enriched mixture this morning, thinking that perhaps it contributed to the problem. I am giving her grass hay, gathered greens and kitchen oatmeal for the moment. I normally feed a natural diet of alfalfa and grass hay, gathered greens and whole grain, usually wheat. I'd like to hear what others think about whether a lighter diet may help dry her up or whether it is better to continue with the rich diet in hopes of building her up.
Sorry for the long post. I have tried to include the information that seems relevant. I need advice about how to treat this problem. I would also welcome opinions on whether to try drying her up by giving her herbs like mint, sage and yarrow - all of which she likes but that I normally withhold when a doe is pregnant or nursing.
My rabbits have been so healthy and trouble-free in the six years I've had them. We had two sudden deaths but sudden death gives no experience with treating problems. I feel like a newbie... and a pretty clueless one at that. Please help if you have experience with this. I don't know whether to apply hot compresses or to give her an ice bottle to lie against to reduce swelling. Should I treat it like an abscess and lance the swelling? Should I try to dry her up or let the kits keep nursing. I don't think they can use the affected teat and with only five there is no reason for them to try.
