Disappointing mother rabbit. What should I do?

Estrella said:

So that’s what I originally asked though- how did you know the young kit that died had gas?? I thought kits only get gas’s when they transition from nursing to eating solid foods

Click to expand...

one thing I did add on my first reply is that rabbits can get gas from a lot of things and my rabbits start eat solid food the moment their eyes open

They have a very long digestive tract. It's needed to break down the plants they eat and then they eat the cecotropes to finish the process. Unfortunately all that length of intestine the food travels gives plenty of time for gas to build up.

anuttyfarm said:

I would like to know why rabbits get gas or bloat. I bought some rabbits from an auction, and all were doing good. Gaining weight and then they all stopped eating and looked like they were about to explode when they died. Is there a treatment for that? If so what?

Click to expand...

I'm so sorry you had to deal with bloat. It is really challenging and very hard to watch happen
Changing diets are possible, especially if carbohydrates are high in the feed. Feeding calf manna at more than a SMALL amount will give them bloat and most likely kill them. I've seen it happen. For an adult rabbit no more than a tablespoon... and that is for a 9 to 12 pound rabbit. Less for small or youngsters. Feeds with corn, dried carrots and treats added can be a problem too. Main thing is to limit carb's, it causes a critical imbalance in the gut flora. For treats use Black oil sunflower seeds, it is high in fiber oil and protein. A piece of carrot is ok now and then. They love the green leaves of it. Parsley is another treat although they may not eat it at first.
Very often coccidia is a culprit in bloat. If the rabbits were housed at the auction site where they were standing in their own poo they can get a concentration of oocysts (sorta like an egg of coccidia but not a true egg) in their gut. They proliferate and the rabbit gets boat symptoms. This is why cages with drop through floors are recommended when housing rabbits.

Treating new rabbits for coccidia with Toltrazuril if you can get it is the best option. Unfortunately it is a vet prescribed medication. Same as what is used for dogs. An alternate is sulfaquinoxaline administered in the drinking water for 30 days It has to be changed out every 24 hours and doesn't totally kill it off but reduces the problems. Coccidia is pretty much always with rabbits but their immune system usually keeps it in check. I treat once a year for it.

Supportive care of a rabbit with bloat that *may* help is Baby Gas drops. It is simethecone which makes the gas bubbles join and become smaller as a result. Administer it orally. I also give water in the dropper because they often stop eating and drinking. Going without water can kill fast so watch water intake is very important.
I have found the very best help I can give if I catch it in time is to stop all pellet feed, use the gas drops and provide FRESH grass in small quantities. The grass can balance gut flora and it provides water as well. If they start eating then free feed timothy hay for a period of time. Like a week or so until they are eatting it well, then start adding some pelleted feed.

Bloat is something you may go for a long time without seeing but usually it will come up eventually. Watching for depressed, not drinking or eating can help you catch it early... but honestly rabbits are hard to read. There is a learning curve.
Before you use any cage that held bloated rabbits scrub it manually and keep it wet with a solution of ammonia and water for 10 minutes. I use a wet rag and keep wetting it down. (yep its a total pain and stinks) Ammonia kills the oocysts.
Good luck with your rabbits, I'm very sorry you went through this. Tough stuff

Cosima said:

the only reason I’m giving her a other change is because this is her first alive litter with me.

Click to expand...

Before fostering make sure the doe having problems doesn't have mastitis. If it does the kits can spread it to the other doe. Hot, inflamed, blue color are indicators. It can be in only one or two breasts.

anuttyfarm said:

I would like to know why rabbits get gas or bloat. I bought some rabbits from an auction, and all were doing good. Gaining weight and then they all stopped eating and looked like they were about to explode when they died. Is there a treatment for that? If so what?

Click to expand...

Digestion is dependent on bacteria - the gut flora.
When rabbits have their diet changed suddenly, or are given a food they've never had before, they may not have the right bacteria - or enough of the right bacteria - to digest the new food. So instead of being digested, it ferments, producing gas. This is why it's so important to provide changeover food with rabbits sold, so the new owner can mix with what they feed and change it slowly, or to introduce new foods very slowly to allow the gut flora to adapt.

The gut flora develops when they're young, passed via the mother through the milk, or from eating her feces. Weaning enteritis can occur at about 3-4 weeks old, with symptoms of bloat, usually caused by an overgrowth of bad bacteria in the gut. This can be brought on by stress.

This is an excellent article written by a rabbit specialist veterinarian, which fully explains the intricacies of the rabbit's digestive system and how gas develops - Gas