How do I know if the doe is in trouble with labor?

[garden lady]

What do I look for to say it is time for a vet? A dog, I was an expert and I knew when to go get help. Zoup is just restless, not bad, kind of lays still and then is up. She bites her side or chews. Like real fast turns her head to her back leg or side. Kind of licks or does something with the dewlap. She started licking the board and her foot, so I put the salt lick back in since she quit drinking a lot of water. She has licked it a few times, but not like yesteray and water drinking is normal, pooping is normal. Is licking her foot or the board a sign of anything since she normally does not do this? Do they look like a dog or cat with labor, contractions?

 

[MaggieJ]

I don't think I've ever actually witnessed a rabbit in labour, so I can't help you with how normal this kind of behaviour may be.

Sometimes a calcium boost helps. A lot of people give their does a fruit-flavoured TUMS antacid tablet. It may help things along. Make sure it is a calcium based antacid, however... Some brands contain different ingredients.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I recently saw one of my does in labor. She wasn't doing anything, really, just looked uncomfortable and had an "inward look" if you know what I mean. Sure enough, within about an hour or two she had her litter.

I think your dog experience will help you. If she begins panting or seems to be straining for a long time I would start to worry.

 

[garden lady]

I don't think I've ever actually witnessed a rabbit in labour, so I can't help you with how normal this kind of behaviour may be.

Sometimes a calcium boost helps. A lot of people give their does a fruit-flavoured TUMS antacid tablet. It may help things along. Make sure it is a calcium based antacid, however... Some brands contain different ingredients.

Okay, getting ready to go to the grocery store, so will get this.

__________ Mon Sep 24, 2012 5:54 pm __________

I recently saw one of my does in labor. She wasn't doing anything, really, just looked uncomfortable and had an "inward look" if you know what I mean. Sure enough, within about an hour or two she had her litter.

I think your dog experience will help you. If she begins panting or seems to be straining for a long time I would start to worry.

Okay, makes sense. She is not panting or in agony type thing. I am not 100% positive she is pregnant.<br /><br />__________ Mon Sep 24, 2012 6:59 pm __________<br /><br />

I don't think I've ever actually witnessed a rabbit in labour, so I can't help you with how normal this kind of behaviour may be.

Sometimes a calcium boost helps. A lot of people give their does a fruit-flavoured TUMS antacid tablet. It may help things along. Make sure it is a calcium based antacid, however... Some brands contain different ingredients.

I gave it to her, but she will not eat it yet. She seems okay, eating food, so only time will tell I guess if she is pregnant. I think she will put them in the nest box if she does have them. She never used that for a litter box, so she has other ideas for it, maybe.

 

[MaggieJ]

Hope all is well with your doe this morning.

I'd just leave the TUMS tablet in with the rabbit. If she needs it, she will likely eat it.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

I usually break it up in four pieces and put it in their food dish. Has she been carrying hay around? Pulling fur? Anything like that? At this point in a pregnancy, you can gently press on the sides of her abdomen and should be able to feel the little body parts if there are kits.

 

[garden lady]

Hope all is well with your doe this morning.

I'd just leave the TUMS tablet in with the rabbit. If she needs it, she will likely eat it.

She did eat it and I gave Lulu one too. I checked on her before bed and watched her and I think she is playing. I am just not use to her moving around so much, but I saw her get in the nest box and she slides and pushes the hay. Then, she looked at the top of her nest box and just jumped up there like a cat. Sat up there washing her ears and looked HAPPY. I said what are you doing? Then, I made a noise like you kind of call your dog and said come here Zoup and she jumped down off there and right to the door and puts her head down to be petted. I swear she knows her name is Zoup. Today is day 38 since catching them. I never saw the same movement with Zoup and Sunshine as I did with Lulu, and I am declaring the pregnancy doe watch over!!! :dance7: I have 5 nice happy rabbits and 5 beautiful baby rabbits and we are having fun and the garden will be something else next year!<br /><br />__________ Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:18 am __________<br /><br />

I usually break it up in four pieces and put it in their food dish. Has she been carrying hay around? Pulling fur? Anything like that? At this point in a pregnancy, you can gently press on the sides of her abdomen and should be able to feel the little body parts if there are kits.

I broke it and let it fall and make a noise in her dish and she looked at it, but later both of them had ate it. I posted above, I think she is playing in that box. She is more active because she is feeling better. They had a rough summer and they are lucky to be alive. I remember when we first caught her that her poop stuck together with hair. She is shedding a lot. Maybe, licking the salt and drinking all that water broke something loose. The sticking together stopped after a few days. She had never had pellets or hay before, so that fixed, but after she drank all that water she was pooping a lot. Not loose, but big piles of perfect poop. Who knows, but thank you for helping.

 

[MaggieJ]

Glad Zoup is okay. And yes, some rabbits learn their names. They know more than we sometimes give them credit for.