I have a Californian doe (not sure how old she is; bought her from a backyard breeder as an adult). She just had a litter of 6 on the 22nd. About 3 weeks before that, however, I noticed a rather large lump underneath one of her nipples. My friend told me to give her peppermint sprigs to "dry her up" in an attempt to counteract possible mastitis. I did, and nothing changed. I quit feeding her peppermint about 4 days before her due date; she was due starting on the 19th.
Since she's given birth, that lump has grown, and it's changed color to a scabby blackish-reddish hue; it's very hard to the touch, and I can't find the nipple anymore. I've also lost 2 kits now, I'm assuming because it's so darn painful for her
I've tried doing "hot" compresses (not too hot of course!) to hopefully dispel some fluids, thinking it may be mastitis, but nothing's changed yet, and I work full time so I can't do it every hour or so; I do what I can where I can. I also clean it with hydrogen peroxide and cotton balls.
Some info on her: It's been averaging about 95-100 degrees where I am in Nevada. I give her a frozen water bottle to play with/snuggle up to because it's so hot. I've cleaned out her hutch using vinegar water. Nothing has changed with her food, and she's eating, drinking and eliminating normally. There is no discharge from the lump, not even pus or blood.
My main concern is, is this really mastitis or is it more like a tumor? I have no problem culling her if it's a tumor, even though it would break my heart to have to do so, she's such a great girl I just don't want her to suffer!! I've read somewhere about giving Penicillin G injections to kill any bacterial infection causing mastitis, but I don't know how much to give or how to administer (directly into the lump, into a thigh, into the scruff...?) She's about 12-13 pounds. Also, since she's not doing well nursing the kits, should I try to bottle feed them? If so, what should I use? My husband and I own a feed store (that's my full time job) so I have KMR on hand, as far as I know that's the only commercial supplement I've heard can be successful in nursing rabbits. (I have tried holding her upside down and latching the kits onto her, but they don't take very well and she just looks like she's in so much pain ) If I start bottle-raising the kits, can I start giving her peppermint sprigs to dry her up, or would it even help?
I've tried attaching a picture of the growth, hopefully it worked!!! Any info/advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!!
Since she's given birth, that lump has grown, and it's changed color to a scabby blackish-reddish hue; it's very hard to the touch, and I can't find the nipple anymore. I've also lost 2 kits now, I'm assuming because it's so darn painful for her
I've tried doing "hot" compresses (not too hot of course!) to hopefully dispel some fluids, thinking it may be mastitis, but nothing's changed yet, and I work full time so I can't do it every hour or so; I do what I can where I can. I also clean it with hydrogen peroxide and cotton balls.
Some info on her: It's been averaging about 95-100 degrees where I am in Nevada. I give her a frozen water bottle to play with/snuggle up to because it's so hot. I've cleaned out her hutch using vinegar water. Nothing has changed with her food, and she's eating, drinking and eliminating normally. There is no discharge from the lump, not even pus or blood.
My main concern is, is this really mastitis or is it more like a tumor? I have no problem culling her if it's a tumor, even though it would break my heart to have to do so, she's such a great girl I just don't want her to suffer!! I've read somewhere about giving Penicillin G injections to kill any bacterial infection causing mastitis, but I don't know how much to give or how to administer (directly into the lump, into a thigh, into the scruff...?) She's about 12-13 pounds. Also, since she's not doing well nursing the kits, should I try to bottle feed them? If so, what should I use? My husband and I own a feed store (that's my full time job) so I have KMR on hand, as far as I know that's the only commercial supplement I've heard can be successful in nursing rabbits. (I have tried holding her upside down and latching the kits onto her, but they don't take very well and she just looks like she's in so much pain ) If I start bottle-raising the kits, can I start giving her peppermint sprigs to dry her up, or would it even help?
I've tried attaching a picture of the growth, hopefully it worked!!! Any info/advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!!