Could this be pregnancy related?

[fuzzy9]

One of my first time CA does (she's on day 30) is limping on her hind left leg. When she lays she holds it differently, and when she sits, she sits down more on her tail bone so she can stick that left foot out. No visible sores of any kind.

Now, I will mention that 2 weeks ago, we changed all our cage floors from 1/2" x 1/2" to 1/2" x 1", but I didn't notice this behavior until just yesterday, and none of my other rabbits are displaying this behavior either. I do keep close eye on everyone, so I would have noticed it sooner if it was there.

She's actually quite active, she jumps up and down from the top of the nestbox roof also. Her personality seems normal as far as everything else goes.

I do have a wood resting board in there for her also.

Could this be pregnancy related, or does it sound like an injury, or the other thing I'm thinking is she's sore from adjusting to the cage floor change, though there wasn't much sag when it was the 1/2x1/2.

Anything I can do for her at this point? She's due any day, so I'm not sure what to do. I have another one bred same day as her, also due any day, and I'm almost thinking if the litter sizes are workable, combining the litter, and culling that doe unless there's something that can be done for her, or it is pregnancy related from carrying a litter, and could possibly get better?

 

[MaggieJ]

It's only a guess... seeing as I am not on the spot... but perhaps the pressure of the kits is affecting a nerve and causing this. Unless she seems in distress I would let her be... and just keep a close eye on her for problems. Fingers crossed that all goes well. :clover: :clover: :clover:

 

[fuzzy9]

Thanks Maggie, she doesn't seem in distress, that's why I'm a bit baffled. :hmm: She's alert, eating, and active.

 

[MaggieJ]

Well... I can remember being very uncomfortable towards the end of my pregnancy with MidnightCoder when the weight of the little guy pressed on a nerve. No big deal... just a part of what females go through to produce the next generation.

 

[fuzzy9]

Cool, I didn't know you two were related!

We shall see what happens when she delivers then I guess. She seems fine for now, so we'll just wait it out. Shouldn't be long, I know she's definitely bred, so we'll just give it time.

ETA: Thanks Maggie, I at least feel better having asked. I hate it when one of the buns is not feeling well.

 

[Jessykah]

I agree with Maggie. Could be a pinched nerve. I have seen this many times in the dairy barn. Although, it has always been after the calf is delivered. The cow has pinched a nerve in a back leg, can't get up. We put sand under her for better grip and she is sometimes able to get up then. Sometimes a cow heals just fine and sometimes she dies.
Just monitor the doe after kindling, and if you are suspicious then foster to the other doe if you can before it's too late for fostering. Good luck

 

[Secuono]

Have you felt her whole leg from hip to toes? She could of pulled or twisted something.

 

[fuzzy9]

Thank you for the additional responses! Still keeping an eye on her, and I did notice a slight bit more discomfort today from her. She's still eating and drinking well though.

We did thoroughly check the leg and hip the other day, and nothing seemed swollen or broken. I'm hoping it's something that will rectify itself once she kindles. She is a very nice doe, and I'd hate to lose her.

 

[akane]

If animals keep resting on the same side they can sometimes develop temporary issues in the shoulder or hip. Pregnant animals tend to lay down and lay stretched out on their side more than they normally would.

 

[fuzzy9]

Thank you for the additional info. Heading out to check her now, and see how she is today.<br /><br />__________ Wed Nov 16, 2011 7:24 pm __________<br /><br />Question. When palpating at day 33, if she's bred, shouldn't I feel something in there? I have my doubts that she's bred after all. :hmm:

 

[akane]

Some of mine I feel nothing no matter when I palpate. Amako has a tendency to sneak a litter of 5-7 while feeling exactly the same width and smooth right on through her due date. That's pretty good litter sizes for a mini rex. My creme d'argent doe isn't real noticeable either and will have around 9 per litter. You can kind of feel she's a bit blockier but that's about it. Then I have a couple that look like they are about to explode when they've got another week to go only to pop out a moderate number of kits.

 

[fuzzy9]

Well, she looks wider, and when I feel her belly it feels tight. My other does who have skipped were really squishy. :lol: :lol: :lol: I guess the waiting continues.<br /><br />__________ Sun Nov 20, 2011 8:31 pm __________<br /><br />Day 36 has come, and gone, with no kits.........which is actually good. She had to have injured this somehow. She was looking almost lethargic, and uncomfortable the last couple days, but she perked up today, I think just because today was cull day for her. :lol: She's actually better, and putting more weight on it, as well as using it more, and she's much perkier. She seems happy, and is eating/drinking fine. So, because she's a sweet doe, and was a good mom with her first litter, we decided to send her for a little bit of physical therapy first before we cull. :lol: We're going to give her a couple days of roaming free around the rabbitry, it's enclosed so she'll be fine, let her stretch the leg, use it more, be more active, and see what happens from there. Maybe the activity will help her heal, rather than just sitting in the cage. Can't hurt to try I guess. So we'll revisit in a couple days, and make a decision from there.

 

[MaggieJ]

...but she perked up today, I think just because today was cull day for her. :lol:

Rabbits are sneaky llike that!

Good decsion to wait and see, since she seems perkier. Hope the physio helps!

:bunnyhop:

 

[fuzzy9]

It's not helping, she's still the same on the leg, and actually having one of her less perky days. So we're going to cull her this afternoon. These are the ones that are difficult for me, she's a sweetheart, but I am of firm belief that animals should not suffer.

 

[MaggieJ]

I'm sorry... but I'd probably make the same decision.

 

[fuzzy9]

Thank you, Maggie.