Day 36

[ollitos]

Cuddles now at day 36. No more spotting. No more nest building. No more pulling fur.

They will come out, right? Will they be okay? Is there a great chance of stillborns the longer the pregnancy goes? I'm starting to get nervous that something is wrong.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Try giving her some Tums or some fresh lavender. The Tums will give her a calcium boost and the lavender will help expel the contents of the uterus.

 

[ollitos]

She ate the Tums and one sprig of lavender. I can't get her to eat anymore lavender. How soon should it start working?

 

[MaggieJ]

There's no way to tell when or if it will help. But... if these were things she was needing, then at least you have provided them.

You must be prepared for the possibility that she is not pregnant. She may have miscarried when she spotted or she may have reabsorbed the embryos if there was something wrong. Give her a few more days and then try rebreeding her, as long as all her parts look normal and she is in good condition.

 

[ollitos]

My daughter will be so upset if there's not a litter but I have a feeling there won't be. She's still huge though. I held her for a while today with my hand and arm against her belly and didn't feel any movement. When I did this with Rosebud a few days before she kindled, I did feel a movement after about 5 mins. Nothing with Cuddles today.

I did try checking Cuddles' vulva and she freaked out on me which she hasn't done before.

Who knows. I just want to make sure I keep her healthy.

 

[curlysue]

I havent had a doe have a live litter after that many days.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

Is there a chance you might have your date wrong.

 

[trinityoaks]

I've heard of does delivering live kits as late as 39 days, so don't give up hope yet.

 

[ollitos]

She was bred the same day as Rosebud and it was a good breeding. Rosebud already kindled.<br /><br />__________ Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:25 am __________<br /><br />Sigh. Two little spots of blood this morning. Day 38.

I had to explain to my 5 year old daughter that the chances of Cuddles having live kits is very slim. She is such a sensitive little soul to begin with so this is heartbreaking for her. We talked about how important it is that Cuddles be healthy and we take the best care of her possible. We shed a couple tears together and then talked about the positive things about Cuddles. I'm sad for the lesson my daughter is having to learn and I'm concerned about Cuddles' health.

 

[trinityoaks]

I've been wondering how things were going with Cuddles. Any more news yet?

 

[ollitos]

Nothing. She sits in her nesting box like a chicken laying an egg. Just two little spots of blood this morning.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

I would induce her .

 

[ollitos]

I would induce her .

How?

 

[SMR]

I hope she does alright and pulls through with out further issues. Be prepared for the worst though Some times they can retain kits and be OK as pets but no longer good for breeding. Smaller breeds seem to have this issue more then larger breeds. If going to a vet is an option, you might want to do that. A vet is the only way I know of to get a hold of the drugs needed to induce labor (providing she needs it). Can you palpate n feel any kids? At this point should be able to easily feel.

 

[trinityoaks]

Sometimes they just absorb the kits for whatever reason (often because of a sudden fright).

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

I would induce her .

How?

With oxytocin. You have to weight her first. YOu can only get this at the vets. IF you know for certain she is pregnant and she is over 3 days due. THen it is best in the doe to use it. Once you give it to her. SHe will have her kits in half hour. I think in this case to go ahead. I think there is a big one holding every one back. But dont expect them to be alive. Is she eating her same amount of food everyday. Does she look in distress. ?With her spotting like that is not normal.

 

[ollitos]

She's on day 39 now. She will not let me check her vulva which is odd for her. She's usually very compliant. I palpated and felt nothing. But she's huge. Much "fatter" than before she was bred. I gave her another Tums this morning and I dumped her nesting box. If she refills it and pulls hair, I'll call a vet. If not, she'll be rebred tomorrow.

 

[MaggieJ]

Lavender may help expel anything that is still in the uterus. I few sprigs of lavender buds, fresh or dried, can be given to a rabbit in this situation. It may help.

 

[ollitos]

I got her to eat a sprig the other day but she refused to eat any more. I plan on trying that again in a little bit when I check to see if she's rebuilding her nest or not.