Overdue doe, using herbs (blue cohosh) to aid smooth delivey

[Tiny Buns]

I've researched and found other topics about using herbs to help an overdue doe. Not something to be taken lightly or too early. I'm thinking it might be useful for my pinched hip doe who I rebred on the advice of the breeder I got her from BEFORE I realised pinched hips were the likely cause of her two litters of stretched kits. Unfortunately, I can't un-breed her so I'm looking for something to make her final time a little smoother with the intention of just keeping her on as a pet after, and never breeding her again. She's my son's favourite so I guess she's staying. (Culling or culling/eating her is not an option for us).

So, it seems that the consensus is lavender, red raspberry leaf, fenugreek and blue cohosh. I've read that some make a combination of all 4 and feed 1 tbsp per doe starting on the first overdue day. I've also read daily parsley and fruit flavoured tums from day 28.

What I can't find is quantities? Blue cohosh is a strong emmenagogue and a pretty intense abortifacient. I would use with caution but honestly what's the correct dose for a bunny, especially a tiny one of the Netherland Dwarf variety? Human dosages for the purpose of emptying the uterus seem to be 1 tsp every 4 hrs but that's just the blue cohosh.

Does anyone make this concoction and in what quantities?

For people.....blue cohosh in the wrong quantity can be toxic, as well as causing liver and kidney issues.

 

[macksmom98]

Following........I have no advice but I see how certain situations could benefit from this. Especially if it means smaller, unstretched, live kits.

 

[Tiny Buns]

Following........I have no advice but I see how certain situations could benefit from this. Especially if it means smaller, unstretched, live kits.

I realize this isn't a go to delivery method but yes, that was my thought. My doe with the pinched hips only had 2 but waited until day 32. She's a wee thing and that extra day(s) was not helpful. Kits grow exponentially in the first week and a day 28 kit would be a much more reasonable size than one at day 32.

Or maybe it's not my place to interfere with Mother Nature. Sigh.

 

[the reluctant farmer]

Blue cohosh is an herb that.can be extremely potent (and deadly) so I've avoided it. It can be difficult to tell the potency of herbs because concentration of essential oiks can vary from plant to plant, depending on weather, water levels, growing conditions, etc. With that said, I'm attaching two discussins here on RT:
post265273.html?hilit=blue%20cohosh#p265273
Advice is not to use it but alternatives are discussed.

post247684.html?hilit=blue%20cohosh#p247684
One former member used it and gives rough amounts. Key advice I took away was she put out the three herbs separately and let the doe choose which she needed.

Hope this helps.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I think I would try offering her mild emmenagogues and steer clear of the blue cohosh. Here is a link to a list:

herbs-that-cause-contractions-t14843.html

Most of my rabbits kindle on day 30 to 32. I think day 28 is early, even though the kits will be viable at that age, and it is in the normal gestation window.

Personally, I would offer her the herbs starting on day 29. Better to get the kits out when they are a bit smaller.

Key advice I took away was she put out the three herbs separately and let the doe choose which she needed.

Agreed. Let the doe decide.

Somehow they know what they need. I saw this firsthand when a doe was in the beginning stages of mastitis. I offered her mint and catnip (which none of the rabbits would ever even look at, let alone eat) and she SNATCHED the catnip out of my hands and wolfed it down.

 

[macksmom98]

I would think it's always best (unless you have proven long pregnancies in one doe or a situation like the one with pinched hips) to let nature take it's course on it's own. I think I would only entertain the use of herbs in special circumstances and I love the idea of letting the doe choose