Pregnant doe that is too skinny

[shenanigans]

I just acquired a NZ doe that may be pregnant. She is very thin though. I can feel her spine, ribs, and hips quite well. I've given her oats with her pellets, but feel like I should give her something else to help her. I'm new to this and my other rabbits were healthy when I got them, so I'm really not sure what I should give her. She could possibly kindle in 2 weeks and I know I can't completely fatten her up by then, but I would like to do what I can.

 

[Tegan]

I'm sure someone else with more knowledge will be along soon, but you might try BOSS (Black oil sunflower seeds, you can get them where bird seed is sold). They are very fatty and a little bit should go a long way to putting some groceries on her.

 

[Miss M]

BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds) can help with that. I just recently had a doe get skinny while pregnant, and it really helped her get back to normal. A tablespoon a day or so should help.

You can also coat her oats very lightly with blackstrap molasses. Blackstrap is very nutritious, but obviously as molasses it has a lot of sugar, so you don't want to use too much. It would help get some more nutrients into her. <br /><br />__________ Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:02 am __________<br /><br />Haha, I see Tegan beat me to the submit button!

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I would up her normal ration of pellets slowly as well as providing free choice hay. Maybe giver her 1/4 portion more at first and see if she cleans it up. I haven't ever heard of rabbits having problems from eating too many oats, so you could give her free access to those. A pinch of flax seed may also help.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

One tablespoon of boss is to much to start with. SHe will get the runny poops.. Start off with 5 or so boss then a teaspoon. Depending on your weather there. Boss is a hot food. So be careful .. But it will put on weight.. She shouldnt of been breed until she was in condition.

 

[shenanigans]

Yesterday I noticed she was sneezing. I had her quarantined in a pet carrier (only extra "cage" I have to quarantine her) in my bathroom so I could keep a close eye on her. Anyway, she was sneezing occasionally. I thought it might be the straw in the carrier or something, I didn't notice any white snot and her front legs/paws looked clean. I wanted to get her out of the carrier so she could have more room, so I cleaned out an old wood/wire pen I had built and put her in that, away from my other rabbits. I was watching her from a distance to see how she did in it when I noticed her sneezing a lot and her nose looked white. I checked her out and it's white snot and her front legs are matted.

I'm pretty upset about it. If it is snuffles (I shouldn't say IF, isn't white snot a sure sign?), what are the odds that the previous owner was selling her knowing that she had it? I was going to email the guy to let him know, just in case he didn't. Should I just cull her now and get it over with? She is possibly pregnant, could I wait a couple weeks to see if she has any, and would they end up getting it from her? Or would she be suffering too much? I'm really, really new to rabbits so any advice would be helpful.

*Edited to add, when I went to pick her up, she had no snot and her front legs looked perfectly clean, and no sneezing. That was just 2 days ago. Could the stress of moving to a new place have brought this on?*

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I wouldn't take the chance with her. The thinness, and now white snot... is it possible to take her back to the breeder?

what are the odds that the previous owner was selling her knowing that she had it? I was going to email the guy to let him know, just in case he didn't.

I would give him the benefit of the doubt. Do email him. I always ask buyers to let me know of any health issues so I will know what may be "hiding" in my herd. So far no reported illness, thankfully.

That was just 2 days ago. Could the stress of moving to a new place have brought this on?

Yes.

 

[shenanigans]

Thank you, I'm still trying to figure out what to say to him without sounding like I am accusing him of selling me a sick rabbit lol. I'm not sure if he would take her back, it was just someone from craigslist and she only cost $10. Which doesn't sound like much, but it is to me I really wish I could afford nicer rabbits from good breeders, but there is no extra money being a single mom on a very limited income

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I'm still trying to figure out what to say to him without sounding like I am accusing him of selling me a sick rabbit

How about something like this "I just wanted to let you know that you may have a dormant Pasteurella infection in your herd. The rabbit I bought from you is sneezing and has white snot which is a sure sign she has it. I have her in quarantine, and believe it was the stress of the move that brought it out. Many Vets believe all rabbits carry it or have been exposed, so I am not trying to blame you in any way, but wanted you to know."

 

[ZRabbits]

MamaSheepDog gave a nice way of getting the point across about your sick rabbit. When Neville came down with Wry Neck, I also contacted the breeder. She didn't take it as me blaming her for this, but I just wanted her to know that this happened. I think any problems with a rabbit should be told to the breeder. A good breeder would want to know. And being a good consumer, I think its my job to inform if anything should occur.

Karen