Should I be worried about this?

[Bluebird]

I have a NZW doe who kindled for the first time on September 3rd. The litter is happy and healthy, but two nights ago at feeding time I noticed that the doe was not eating and looked "languid." She was stretched out on her side and her belly was abnormally large and squishy. I thought maybe it was a hairball. I didn't have any pineapple, so I gave her some mineral oil. I picked up a pineapple yesterday, but by the time I got out to check her, she was up and eating and looking fine, except that there was some blood in the cage. She has a slightly bloody vent and still seems a little doughy to me, but is still acting normal today. Do you think she's okay?<br /><br />__________ Sun Sep 23, 2012 3:26 pm __________<br /><br />

 

[ladysown]

I'd remain on alert with her.

 

[MaggieJ]

I agree. It certainly does not sound normal. Is there any odour? I'm concerned that she may have retained a kit or the placenta when she kindled... although it seems a long time afterwards for problems to show up.

 

[Rustina]

Isn't there a plant she could feed that would help her doe "clean out" ( thats what we call it for cows) I thought I read something bout that here? maybe?

 

[MaggieJ]

A few sprigs of lavender buds may help... either fresh or dried.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Bluebird, is there any chance she could have been bred again after kindling? She may have miscarried.

I think that if she had retained a kit or placenta for 3 weeks she would have a raging infection and the discharge would reek.

 

[MaggieJ]

How is the doe today, Bluebird?

After this amount of time, there would be a very bad odour to any discharge if something had been retained, as MSD says.

I am really hesitant to make any further suggestions without more information and an update. In fact, I'd suggest holding off on the lavender. Although it won't harm the doe, it could make her abort if she is pregnant.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

her belly was abnormally large and squishy. I thought maybe it was a hairball.

I found this description of a rabbit with a hairball and copied it from this site:

http://www.exoticpetvet.net/smanimal/rabbit.html

Rabbits, like horses, cannot vomit. Rabbits can ingest too much hair when grooming, and since they cannot expel a hairball (as a cat can), this can result in development of trichobezoars (hairballs) in the stomach under certain circumstances. Hairballs, in themselves, usually will not pose a problem to a rabbit that is healthy, well hydrated and on a proper diet. To prevent hairball problems, it is best to groom your pet rabbit regularly to remove loose hair. Rabbits with gastrointestinal problems related to a hairball may lose their appetite and water consumption may be decreased. Weight loss may be apparent. The number of fecal pellets may be significantly reduced. Abdominal palpation may reveal a doughy mass in the abdomen, which may be painful. It should be noted that rabbits can and do ingest hair, and usually it will pass without problems. However, if a rabbit is suffering from GI tract problems, and becomes dehydrated, the hairball can cause a partial obstruction and exacerbate other GI problems.

 

[Bluebird]

Thanks all, sorry to be slow in posting an update. The doe seems to be entirely back to normal. No, there was never any odor that I noticed. I really do not think there's any possibility that she could have been bred again--my rabbits are all in separate cages, and none of them have escaped or anything. She is next door to a buck, but there are two layers of wire between them.
I haven't seen any more discharge, she's eating well and active. Stomach seems to be a normal size again. So I guess it will remain a mystery!
I had wondered if maybe she passed something big that made her bleed on its way out. I didn't see anything in the cage or on the floor nearby though.

 

[MaggieJ]

As long as she is okay, that's the main thing. Glad to hear it!

 

[Bluebird]

Yep, I'll just keep an eye out for any further abnormalities.
Thanks again.