Kit unthrifty.. now sits in waterbowl?

[ladysown]

so tell me what's up with the waterbowl.

it's been not doing well for a week, siblings starting to look the same. They are three weeks old. Mom dried up about three days ago - she's been okay for milking but starting week two she started produce less. Been doing the probiotics into them, but they simply aren't doing well.

I expect them (at least 2 of the four) not to do well ultimately...but I don't get the sitting in the waterbowl thing. Is that symptomatic of something.... I have something niggling in the back of my brain but can't recall what sitting in the water bowl is sign of.

In case you wonder what I've been doing to assist them.

1. oatmeal
2. hay
3. exercise to keep them moving - I've learned that bunnies that don't move are bunnies that die more quickly.
4. cleaning butts as they've been showing entropathic symptoms
5. reduced pellets but not completely as momma is a pig for food - can't remove her as I'm currently at a premium for space due to some short term rescues (staying until they prove whether they are preggers or not) then will be critter food.
6. given prickly lettuce as I find it's a good cure-all for bunnies with upset tummies.

 

[MaggieJ]

Plantain, shepherd's purse or the leaves of raspberry, strawberry or blackberry will all help with the poopy butt.

I don't know what the problem is for sure, but I would speculate that they are suffering from the abrupt, early weaning. The water dish has me puzzled... unless the kit is running a fever and if trying to cool himself. Seems unlikely though.

Sorry you're going through this. Bad enough when they are not doing well and you know what the problem is, but worse when you're not sure.

 

[ottersatin]

What you describe sounds like Mucoid Enteropathy.
This disease is a killer. Rabbits that do not have access
to adequate water are more susceptible to this disease.
Stop the pelleted feed and feed lots of fiber [grass-hay].
Ottersatin. ldtimer:

 

[moonkitten]

I second the mucoid enteropathy, although clearly it's not from lack of water

I've seen this a few times in my rabbitry and ALWAYS the weanlings sit with their front feet in the water. Never had it in kits so young that the whole rabbit fit in the water dish, but when it would pass through this area it usually struck 8-14 week olds and they would all sit in the water as much as they could.

Sounds like you're doing as much as you can. Hope it goes well.

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

Sitting n water? take their temps!!! Most wild animal seek out damp places in an effort to lower body temps.

 

[ladysown]

well.. the one I thought would be dead this morning isn't. and it's looking a bit perkier...but a stronger sibling is looking like it's on death's door. But one I thought would be looking horrid today was actually willingly hopping around and looking bright-eyed. hopefully I won't lose the whole litter. Been a solid year since I've dealt with this...but never with kits sitting in a water crock.

 

[fuzzy9]

Hope everyone gets better soon ladysown!

 

[ladysown]

current standing... have lost two of the four. Probably will lose one more of them.

 

[MaggieJ]

Aw, that is sad, Ladysown. But I know you did all you could for them.

 

[ladysown]

the one I thought for sure I was going to save, it was just starting to come around...and then today.. a cold chill day and it was gone when I got back from our day out. Ach well.....

 

[Brody]

I'm sorry - I am wondering if they were a little dehydrated and therefore thirsty - so hanging in the water - I've seen dehydrated kittens sleeping half (or more) in water dished ..

hang in there