URGENT: Doe having issues during kindling

[Desert Rose Rabbits]

Kitty started having her litter today (YAY!!! Got exactly what I want in this litter, too, pics coming soon). So far we're at 8 living, 1 DOA (mushy and more on the formed side than not). When I was out feeding this morning she looked to be doing ok, but I ended up having to set up a new cage as one of my growouts started attacking his brothers. So, as I'm bumbling around I notice that Kitty has started panting, her nose is tilted up a little, and it looked to be maybe having contractions. This went on for a good 30 minutes, twice she looked like she was setting up to expel something, but nothing happened.

Haven't been able to touch her, as she's turned into demon bunny (for good reason), and hubby is at an interview so I don't have anyone to help restrain her so I can palpate or assist if need be. I gave her a couple of Tums, and then headed out to track down some Lavender. All I could find in town was dried, so I got that.

Going to head out to see how she's doing since I just got home. If she's still straining, how much Lavender do I give her? Any suggestions on anything else to do, or let nature take it's course until my husband gets home to help me? She's interested in food, and gladly ate her grain as soon as I put it in there, and seems bright-eyed despite her discomfort.

 

[MaggieJ]

I think you have handled it very well... Just the things I would have done in the same situation, in any case. It sounds to me like she still has something in the uterus that needs to come out, so lavender is a good choice if she will eat it. If it is just the loose heads, I would start with about 1-2 tablespoons and see how it goes. If it is on stalks, give her several of them. It is not toxic to rabbits, but it will bring on contractions that should expel whatever is left in the uterus. I think you will find that she takes the amount she needs. That has been my experience with rabbits and medicinal herbs, in any case. I would probably offer another TUMS as well.

Good luck... and keep us informed. :good-luck:

If she won't eat the lavender, you can also try sage. It is not as strong but might be more palatable to her.

 

[Desert Rose Rabbits]

Okies... So, she hasn't touched the Lavendar. Just got back from the store for the thanksgiving shopping and picked up some fresh Sage while I was there. She didn't look to be in labor any longer, but I gave her some sage just in case. I think that the hard delivery flared up the pasteurella I have floating around in my herd and she's having issues breathing. I'm breeding for herd immunity at this point (since someone in my area is selling sick rabbits), so my goal is to keep her going long enough to get the litter stable, and then I'll cull her and finish raising the litter myself.

Hope I can do this!

 

[MaggieJ]

Kitty102, I may have given you some bad advice and I very sorry.

I didn't reread your original post before I added the part about the sage and I didn't think about sage being a possible milk suppressor. I suggest you remove any sage that she hasn't eaten at once. A bit of sage probably wouldn't make a difference, but too much could affect her milk supply.

I can't believe I did that. :sorry:

 

[Desert Rose Rabbits]

Kitty102, I may have given you some bad advice and I very sorry.

I didn't reread your original post before I added the part about the sage and I didn't think about sage being a possible milk suppressor. I suggest you remove any sage that she hasn't eaten at once. A bit of sage probably wouldn't make a difference, but too much could affect her milk supply.

I can't believe I did that. :sorry:

No worries!!! I read about it before offering it to her and figured it was worth the risk. She REALLY didn't look so good and if she died anyways, or had to be put down, the kits would't make it. So, what I ended up doing was offering her the sage (which I really feel made the difference... found some more blood in her cage the morning after I gave it to her so I figure that she finished what needed to be done), and then the next morning started pumping her full of dandelion (thank you Whole Foods!) and fennel. I don't think I really needed to worry about it since when I went to check on her the next morning all of the kits were stuffed to near bursting. Kitty has always been a huge milk producer.

Went to check on her this morning and simply touching her belly caused her milk to drop and she started leaking. So, no worries!!!!!

 

[MaggieJ]

Whew! So glad you checked it out before giving it to her. It's a tough call when a doe with living kits is in distress like that but I'd have done the same thing. I do feel bad though that I didn't think to warn you about the possibility she would lose her milk. I'm usually more careful when I post that kind of advice.

I'm very relieved that the sage helped her and did not harm her milk supply. We have to call that a happy ending to a worrisome situation!