Help please!

[coffeenutdesigns]

will give the whole story later, but right now I have some potentially REALLY stressed out rabbits, including 3 does that were bred last week. What is the best course of action to help with stress. They are settled in their cages now, but I am not sure if they will all make it until morning. What steps should I take?

 

[AmysMacdog]

Is anybody "in shock" or are they calming down now on their own? If any are going into shock, bring them into a very quiet warm place and give alittle molasses or honey to give them a boost. Just a little at a time.

 

[Marinea]

Not sure I would move them if they are stressed. Cover their cages to make it dark and calm. Maybe give them some molasses, but then leave them alone.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I would give them electrolytes. You can give Gatorade or make your own solution. I like the suggestions in part two of this recipe:

http://www.ehow.com/how_5875270_make-el ... ution.html

If it is cold there, additional heat may be a good idea. A 2 liter soda bottle filled with hot water and placed in the cage may help. Give them a box with bedding such as shavings, hay, or straw so they can conserve their body heat by being off of the wire.

Draping the cage with an old sheet or blanket will minimize visual stress and will help contain their body heat within the cage.

Good luck! I hope they will be okay.

 

[Miss M]

I was going to suggest the same things. Covering the cages, and Gatorade or Pedialyte. Probably give them rolled oats and hay for a few days, maybe coating the oats with a light layer of blackstrap molasses (lower in sugar, high in nutrients).

Good luck! :clover:

 

[coffeenutdesigns]

They are in our storage building in the dark....gave them a little gatorade in their water. I don't have molasses, but I will give them a little honey. Most "seem" okay now, but one doe is panting and acting weird and another one is grumpy and growly. I have the A/C on fan just to add a little white noise and drown out any outside noise. It's not cold, it's actually pretty nice. Thank you for the advice. Just going to leave them alone to relax and hope they make it through the night.

__________ Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:15 pm __________

I have some rolled oats, so I will give them some of that in the morning.<br /><br />__________ Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:16 pm __________<br /><br />Thank you all so much

 

[Dood]

Horse sweet feed has molasses if you have it around.