HElp dead mom- babies born yesterday

[DeniseT]

need help quickly, my momma bun has just hemmoraged to death. She had nine babies yesterday and seemed just fine until a few minutes ago. This is my very first babies

 

[Zass]

a foster mom would be best, do you have any other does who have recently kindled? or know any?

 

[Bad Habit]

In case you can't find a foster momma, you might want to look at these threads.

http://rabbittalk.com/formula-feeding-baby-bunnies-pics-vids-t3691.html
http://rabbittalk.com/tips-for-handraising-kits-t2486.html

Best of luck. Unfortunately I've heard that the prognosis is poor for kits orphaned that young, unless you're able to find a foster momma.

 

[AmysMacdog]

Oh no! I'm sorry this is such a bad first experience for you! And very, very sorry about your doe!
It is true its difficult to hand raise on formula from that age but it can keep them going temporarily until you can find a foster mother. I use fresh goats milk when I have it in case you know someone with goats. They seem to tolerate it well.
Prayers sent your way.

 

[DeniseT]

I have them temporarily with another mom who also had 9 kits yesterday. Nothing is open in this area at time of evening. I am new at this but I am hoping to be able to feed them a formula and let her take care of them half of the day. I don't want to over-tax her completely. Maybe if I feed her babies formula while she is feeding the fosters it will help? Will she then take care of toiletry problem for them.

 

[Miss M]

That is what I have done. I have not raised babies exclusively on formula, but I have supplemented babies who needed help.

With the two nice-sized litters, if the doe is making enough milk, you can give her one litter in the morning for feeding, and the other litter in the evening. If I'm not mistaken, some do this without supplementing. Just watch the tummies... perhaps only a couple of them will need formula, if any at all.

As for the toileting thing, we have a theory on here that rabbit moms don't actually stimulate this like cats do. We think that the wiggly action of the babies against each other stimulates this, so there should be no concern for this matter. Does are in with their babies entirely too little to be able to do this job.

I am so sorry your doe died like this, but it's so good you had another doe kindling at the same time, who could foster for you!

 

[Dood]

With the two nice-sized litters, if the doe is making enough milk, you can give her one litter in the morning for feeding, and the other litter in the evening.

:yeahthat:

Are any other rabbits due to give birth? You can spread out the feedings between 2 or more moms as well.

18 is a lot to feed. Depending on your doe she may be able to do it but it will be very trying in her so don't breeder her until she regains body condition or you might loose her too.

Supplementing might be best but I've no experience with it and if I was in your situation I would cull down to 12 kits and split the litter into two feedings.

 

[skysthelimit]

Make sure to give the doe extra calcium to help her with her milk production as well. I have not had much success with hand raising, but if you are willing to cull either litter down, you might be able to save some of each.

 

[Desert Rose Rabbits]

As for the toileting thing, we have a theory on here that rabbit moms don't actually stimulate this like cats do. We think that the wiggly action of the babies against each other stimulates this, so there should be no concern for this matter. Does are in with their babies entirely too little to be able to do this job.

I can second this notion!! I have a 'fresh' litter and on Day 2 I brought them in to supplement the runt (it's just the prettiest Harlie I've seen!) and discovered that they were all peeing on each other... watched it happen. Got everyone cleaned up, and the nest cleaned out and added some cotton balls to the nest so that I can just pluck out the dirty cotton and replace it. I potty them myself, anyways, since they get so full and it looks uncomfortable but I only do this if I've pulled the nest for any reason... I don't go about pottying rabbits in general! :lol:

 

[MacNobody]

following, good luck!

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I'm sorry to hear about your doe.

How are the kits doing today? Are you supplementing the litters?