Bleeding during kindling

[wsmoak]

Hmmm... my Californian doe was due today and has been pulling fur, etc. She has had one kit so far, but now is bleeding.

Is there anything I should do at this point, or just wait and let her work it out?

If a kit is stuck, is there really anything you _can_ do?

-Wendy

 

[MaggieJ]

She would likely pull a stuck kit herself. I have heard of people intervening, lubricating fingers and helping out. But I really don't know more than that. Not something I've ever had to do.

As far as bleeding goes, a certain amount is pretty normal. If it seems excessive, you could give her Shepherd's Purse. It is a good rabbit plant and was used for humans by midwives.
http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/weedguid/shepherd.htm
http://www.sandmountainherbs.com/articl ... efits.html

If labour goes on too long without being productive, you can give lavender sprigs to move things along.

Sometimes a calcium boost is helpful. TUMS antacid tablets are a popular way of administering it.

 

[wsmoak]

I'm leaning towards "leave her alone, it's normal" as she doesn't seem to be in distress (was *very* interested in the dinner I just served!)

I bet I caught her just after a kit being born -- 20 minutes later she had cleaned up most of what I saw on her feet and the cage.

Can they delay labor like horses can? I bet she'll finish up as things quiet down for the evening.

And hopefully I haven't disturbed her so much that she decides the nest is not safe.

-Wendy

 

[skysthelimit]

I've pulled out kits dealing with these hollands. It's an awful things.
I wouldn't let her go past a few hours before I'd check to see if any kits are in the birth canal. I know people have does give birth the next day, but any time my does have stopped having kits and there were clearly more inside, they were not born live.

Go for the tums and lavender like Maggie suggested. This is not a usual problem for larger does like NZ, but I had a Rex last month get stuck, lost 6 of 12 kits.

 

[wsmoak]

Still only two in the nest box this morning and I was beginning to think that's all there were, (while looking suspiciously at how fat she still is...) but just now we got six more! One was stillborn (or didn't make it long after birth) but the other five look okay.

Next time I promise to leave her alone for the *entire* day she is due to kindle.

-Wendy

 

[MaggieJ]

Seven is a nice-sized litter. Glad she finally finished.

I think most does appreciate a bit of privacy and quiet when they are kindling.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I think most does appreciate a bit of privacy and quiet when they are kindling.

I must have some unhappy bunnies then- it seems I am always catching them kindling when I do my morning feed! :lol:<br /><br />__________ Fri Sep 14, 2012 10:37 am __________<br /><br />Congratulations on the healthy litter! Have fun with the popples.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Still only two in the nest box this morning and I was beginning to think that's all there were, (while looking suspiciously at how fat she still is...) but just now we got six more! One was stillborn (or didn't make it long after birth) but the other five look okay.

Next time I promise to leave her alone for the *entire* day she is due to kindle.

-Wendy

It does not really bother them to check on them, unless you are opening the cage and messing with them...Sounds like that one stillborn may have been kind of stuck and that it why it took so long to get the rest of the litter out.

 

[skysthelimit]

Still only two in the nest box this morning and I was beginning to think that's all there were, (while looking suspiciously at how fat she still is...) but just now we got six more! One was stillborn (or didn't make it long after birth) but the other five look okay.

Next time I promise to leave her alone for the *entire* day she is due to kindle.

-Wendy

I'm glad it turned out well for you. As OAF said, if you are around your rabbit enough, being in there doesn't really bother them. I was standing there feeding rabbits, when I looked back at the cage I was just at, and within minutes, the holland had kindled 5. I just think if I had left mine alone, the doe that sucessfully kindled this time would have died last time. And the one I did leave alone, she died. Guess it depends on knowing your group and judging the situation. No wrong or right way.

 

[MaggieJ]

You know your own rabbits best. The way I see it, rabbits are prey animals and may feel particularly vulnerable when kindling. But if they are accustomed to you popping in and out several times a day, it likely does not bother them if you check more often.

 

[skysthelimit]

I hover over my rabbits and the reactions I get are hilarious, ranging from "did you bring ay food for us" and "why are you looking at me?" I have several that run to the front of the cage everytime I walk in, and a few that won't move unless I touch them. I seriously hit the cage because I thought one was dead, because she didn't move when I touched her.