I can't stand the suspense!!

[OneAcreFarm]

Thanks!!

__________ Thu Jul 18, 2013 3:33 pm __________

Oh NO, I just read that permanently retained kits usual cause infertility... NO!!!! Now I'm really really hoping that Ink Blot did not retain her kits... I hope it was just a false pregnancy. If Dood had a Day 30 nest build with a false pregnancy, I can have a Day 34 nest build with a false pregnancy, right???

IF you palpated her and there is nothing in her abdomen, then there are not likely going to be any retained kits. Take a deep breath.....it will be ok. More than likely she just missed, but was having a false pregnancy.

 

[WildWolf]

Thanks OneAcre...
you can feel retained kits? That's kinda creepy

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Thanks OneAcre...
you can feel retained kits? That's kinda creepy

Yes, just like you can feel live ones just before they are born. You sit with the rabbit on your lap, reach under from the front and "cup" the belly with your hand. Bring your fingers and thumb together like you are trying to "touch" them to each other through the belly...you should be able to feel anything that is in the abdomen, especially retained kits, since they are usually fairly large.

 

[WildWolf]

Thanks! I'm going to try that tomorrow morning (with gloves on...)

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Thanks! I'm going to try that tomorrow morning (with gloves on...)

You will need your finger tips to feel with. I use a long sleeved denim shirt and gloves that I cut the tips off the fingers.

 

[WildWolf]

Oh, thanks for that tip. I'll use my fingerless gloves, and maybe a jacket to protect my arms.

__________ Fri Jul 19, 2013 10:46 am __________

I palpated her. Turns out, I didn't need the gloves- I just blocked off the other sections of her hutch, which she kinda freaked out at, and she kept running away whenever I slid my hand underneath her. Well, pretty soon she wore herself out and gave up, especially since it's hot. She lay down on her side, and I slid my hand completely under and around her. I palpated for a while, but couldn't feel anything but tiny little poop balls.

So, I guess she reabsorbed her kits (maybe due to the 4th of July fireworks?) and then later had a false pregnancy (she built a beautiful nest on the 12th), or she was never pregnant and (is this possible?) her hormones went crazy, and caused her belly to swell out as if she was pregnant, and make a nest very late.<br /><br />__________ Fri Jul 19, 2013 10:49 am __________<br /><br />Oh, and I also figured out that I can breed her in September, because I have a week long break in October. Then, if she doesn't take again, or I want more kits , then I can re-breed her in November.

 

[Sinnfox]

or she was never pregnant and (is this possible?) her hormones went crazy, and caused her belly to swell out as if she was pregnant, and make a nest very late.

My gracy did..with her pretend litter she got a bit fatter (on same food rations) and even produced milk. this was the time I mentioned when she wasn't with a buck at all. so it is possible...just probably not very common. Gracy ended up being a super mom so i'd say its a good sign?

 

[WildWolf]

Thanks, Sinnfox! I hope she turns out to be a good mom. She's just so sweet and pretty.