URGENT! Young kit VERY skinny and not nursing!

[Easy Ears]

My friend adopted a pregnant doe who might be a first timer. She had 8 kits a few days ago. The doe doesn't seem interested in the kits and isn't nursing them. (This is my friends first experience with kits.) She has been holding the mamma down for the 6 remaining kits left. (Two died from being out in the cold the first night) She just told me one kit in particular is not nursing, and turns it's head away from the teat when presented to it....how can you get the kit interested? The poor thing is very skinny. (Pic below)

 

[Miss M]

The doe could be exhibiting normal behavior toward the kits. Does do not pay attention to their nests much more than once or twice a day, at nursing time. Other than that, they will seemingly ignore the kits.

As long as she is seeing round bellies, they are being fed, even if she never sees it happen.

That one kit probably does not have much of a chance. Some of them never figure out nursing, for some reason. In my experience, the kits that turn away from the nipples or that mouth them but can't get anything out usually don't make it. If she wants to try to save it, she can try goat formula mixed double strength if she has it. If not, she can make formula for them like this: formula-feeding-baby-bunnies-pics-vids-t3691.html

If she can't get the canned goat's milk, cow's milk is not an acceptable substitution. It is not well-tolerated by rabbits, and will likely cause diarrhea.

If nothing else, egg yolk mixed with a little molasses may get him by until he figures out how to nurse. But I really don't give him much chance.

 

[FourRingCircus]

I had one like that and finally had to cull it... poor thing just wasn't eating for some reason

 

[ladysown]

advise her to humanely euthanize that kit.

If the kit isn't eating, forcing it to live is NOT in it's own best interest.

If they don't figure it out when they are little then something is "off" such as something physically wrong in the brain or the body, or the digestive track if off kilter, or they are simply too stupid to live.

 

[Easy Ears]

It passed away in the night....humanely euthanize? How would you suggest ladysown? :?

 

[the reluctant farmer]

Easy Ears, here's a link to a post where some folks including ladysown discuss how to humanely euthanize. Brace yourself-- it may be a tough read for some, but what they suggest are ways that are sure & quick for the kit, if not pleasant for the person.

post249355.html?hilit=euthanize%20kits#p249355