Doe in Labor-possible complications

[Amy]

My doe is in labor (2nd litter) she has had a few already this morning, over an hour ago.
She is grunting a lot and I know she has more in her tummy as I can feel them move. I'm expecting a large litter from her as she is huge and her 1st litter she had 11 kits.
I gave her a little lavender, chamomile, and raspberry leaves.
Anything else I can do to help or should I wait longer?
She did have a stuck kit that she had to eat out last time, could she possibly have a stuck kit this time?
Any help is appreciated!

 

[MaggieJ]

Try giving her a calcium boost. TUMS antacid tablets work well and rabbits seem to like the fruity ones. She will take it if she needs it.

If she has a stuck kit you may need to assist her. I've never had to do this, but as I understand it, you cut your nails short, lubricate your fingers with mineral oil (I imagine you could also use vegetable oil or something like KY jelly) and gently insert the fingers into the birth canal and ease the kit out. Expect it to be dead.

It is not uncommon for a rabbit to take hours or even into the next day to deliver all her kits. Unless she is very distressed or is having breathing problems, I'd just give her the TUMS and keep an eye on her. Please post updates so we can try to help.

 

[Amy]

Well, for the time being she's acting normal. 10 healthy kits in the nestbox.
Her belly doesn't seem as big as it did when she was grunting, so not sure what that was all about.

 

[MaggieJ]

Wow! Ten is a great litter... No wonder she was grunting! Glad she is acting normal and hope all will go smoothly from here.

:congratulations: