How long is it safe to keep my bunnies together?

[MamaSheepdog]

Bob Bennet mentions in his book that he keeps his bucks lean because they are more eager to breed, but I would be concerned about underlying health issues if your buck is on the thin side and you didn't purposely make him that way.

 

[cowgirl9768]

Bob Bennet mentions in his book that he keeps his bucks lean because they are more eager to breed, but I would be concerned about underlying health issues if your buck is on the thin side and you didn't purposely make him that way.

I mean he's not like realy skinny. Like conpared to other show standard lions he is normal. If I took him to a show he'd look about the same as all the other bucks. You can feel his vertebrae but there not sharp and ruff. I'd say he is healthy with a leaning a little toward the lean side. But today when I was out feeding I noticed something very odd. He started getting stiff, his eyes roled back into his head the he started kinda spazzing out, then he fell over layed down for a second then stood up and was fine. I called the vet and I guess it's commen for BEW lionheads to have a genetic issues that passes on none lethal seazures. It doesn't cause brain damage or physical effects so many breeders keep the rabbits in the program even after relishing this. but if the rabbits is not housed in a completely safe envirment he could hurt him self. For this reason I have chosen not to breed this buck. So I'm gonna try one of my other bucks. Fingures crossed!

 

[ZRabbits]

Bob Bennet mentions in his book that he keeps his bucks lean because they are more eager to breed, but I would be concerned about underlying health issues if your buck is on the thin side and you didn't purposely make him that way.

I mean he's not like realy skinny. Like conpared to other show standard lions he is normal. If I took him to a show he'd look about the same as all the other bucks. You can feel his vertebrae but there not sharp and ruff. I'd say he is healthy with a leaning a little toward the lean side. But today when I was out feeding I noticed something very odd. He started getting stiff, his eyes roled back into his head the he started kinda spazzing out, then he fell over layed down for a second then stood up and was fine. I called the vet and I guess it's commen for BEW lionheads to have a genetic issues that passes on none lethal seazures. It doesn't cause brain damage or physical effects so many breeders keep the rabbits in the program even after relishing this. but if the rabbits is not housed in a completely safe envirment he could hurt him self. For this reason I have chosen not to breed this buck. So I'm gonna try one of my other bucks. Fingures crossed!

Sorry to hear about the non-lethal seizures. I've read that BEW's can have that problem. Must have been awful to watch and disheartening when the Vet explained what was going on. I'd do the same thing and not breed. Geez, and I'm worried about Neville passing on Wry neck to his offspring.

Fingers crossed with the breeding of the other buck.

Karen

 

[MamaSheepdog]

it's commen for BEW lionheads to have a genetic issues that passes on none lethal seazures.

I just heard about this after accidentally acquiring a blue Beveren doe. She is from Barbi Brown, and I noticed that BEW's appeared in her pedigree, which another breeder had mentioned should be avoided because you will get VM blues. I asked Barbi about this via email, and this was her response:

The problem with BEW in any breed is that extreme close line breeding increases the possibility of seizure disorders. I make a point now of trying to avoid the same ancestor in 3 generations appearing more than twice. Outcrossing strengthens the gene pool.

 

[ZRabbits]

it's commen for BEW lionheads to have a genetic issues that passes on none lethal seazures.

I just heard about this after accidentally acquiring a blue Beveren doe. She is from Barbi Brown, and I noticed that BEW's appeared in her pedigree, which another breeder had mentioned should be avoided because you will get VM blues. I asked Barbi about this via email, and this was her response:

The problem with BEW in any breed is that extreme close line breeding increases the possibility of seizure disorders. I make a point now of trying to avoid the same ancestor in 3 generations appearing more than twice. Outcrossing strengthens the gene pool.

Cool! Definitely something to really look into when getting BEW's. But would it help Cowgirl now? I'd be afraid to breed a rabbit that I saw have seizures?

Karen

 

[MamaSheepdog]

But would it help Cowgirl now? I'd be afraid to breed a rabbit that I saw have seizures?

No- I think only animals that don't show seizure symptoms should be used, no matter how outstanding they are otherwise. I am sure some are bred accidentally simply because the seizures are not seen until after the fact, if ever.

 

[Bad Habit]

it's commen for BEW lionheads to have a genetic issues that passes on none lethal seazures.

I just heard about this after accidentally acquiring a blue Beveren doe. She is from Barbi Brown, and I noticed that BEW's appeared in her pedigree, which another breeder had mentioned should be avoided because you will get VM blues. I asked Barbi about this via email, and this was her response:

The problem with BEW in any breed is that extreme close line breeding increases the possibility of seizure disorders. I make a point now of trying to avoid the same ancestor in 3 generations appearing more than twice. Outcrossing strengthens the gene pool.

Good to know. I'll have to remember this, and keep it in mind when breeding, as well as when selling BEWs. I'll have to let purchasers know that it is a possibility.

 

[ZRabbits]

But would it help Cowgirl now? I'd be afraid to breed a rabbit that I saw have seizures?

No- I think only animals that don't show seizure symptoms should be used, no matter how outstanding they are otherwise. I am sure some are bred accidentally simply because the seizures are not seen until after the fact, if ever.

Just curious, does Barbi state when seizures are likely to show in a rabbit? And the 3 generations, is it for all the litter mate of each generation, or just following that one rabbit's lineage?

Karen

 

[skysthelimit]

That is a good question Karen. In dogs they can show anywhere between 6 mos to 3 years, and sometimes don't happen until after a female has a litter. Wonder if it's the same with rabbits, like stress brings out the seizures.

 

[cowgirl9768]

I've owned my BEW buck for 2 and a half years now and this is the first time I've seen him seizure. He used to even live in my room because he is litter box trained so I was around him a lot. I don't think I just missed the fact he seized all this time. He's former owner bred him 5 times to. I bred him once.... I'm just glad it's not lethal! Going to have to be much more careful breeding my BEWs now! I read that cold weather can cause more frequent onset of seizure activity in some animals. This is the first yr. I housed my buns outside in the winter months. Wonder id thats why they just now showed up.....Looks like someone is gonna come with me to vet school and get neutered so he can just be a little house pet.<br /><br />__________ Mon Dec 03, 2012 12:22 am __________<br /><br />

Just curious, does Barbi state when seizures are likely to show in a rabbit? And the 3 generations, is it for all the litter mate of each generation, or just following that one rabbit's lineage?

Karen

The vet told me the seizures occur almost like a receive gene. When bred to a rabbit with no activity the kits won't typically have a problem. It's only when two rabbits with seizure activity or who carry the gene that causes the activity are bred. So breeding to siblings or parents causes the gene to show up more commenly. The vet told me to look at it as almost like i would look at a dilution color gene I wanted to avoid. She also suggested to breed none BEW stock into my BEWs as often as possible and the avoid breeding a BWE to a BWE cause it raises the chances of getting two sets of the gene. I have always only bred Vienna and solid rabbits to my BWEs any ways but I thought I'd share the info I got.

 

[ZRabbits]

Thanks Cowgirl for sharing that info. Not that I have BEW's, there are others out there who do want to raise and breed this lovely rabbit.

Maybe it was the change to outside living that brought it on. Glad to hear about the "trip" to the Vet and someone becoming a House Rabbit. Hope all goes well with the surgery. My Dobby and Kreacher went through the neutering surgery and both had no problem with it. Thanks to my Rabbit Savy Vet and his staff.

Karen