my rabbit gave birth to 5 little bunnies 2 weeks ago...they were all alive but today 2 of the bunnies died,,,i dont know why?please help me so that the remaining three are ok..
2007-02-11 01:36:50 · 7 answers · asked by bharat2good2002 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
my rabbit gave birth to 5 little bunnies 2 weeks ago...they were all alive but today 2 of the bunnies died,,,i dont know why?please help me so that the remaining three are ok..
Its her first litter and separated from the male ie the mother and the litter is in 1 place.
The rabbit had given birth in a towel so i had replaced it with a small basket....i removed the basket three days ago as the babies had started hopping out.
The babies were handled by me from day 1 and there were no problems since today.....also can it be because of removing the basket.
The babies that dies were the weak ones..
2007-02-11 02:15:51 · update #1
Sometimes it happens that the weaker ones don't make it. It's natures way of "survival of the fittest". Sometimes they are born with problems we can't see. Poorly formed digestive tracts, weak immune system, etc. or they could have been injured by the other babies or mom (mom hopping in and out of the box, babies jousling for space to nurse, etc.) (There are even congenital defects that certain breeds carry, that cause some young to die early... "Double Dwarfing gene, etc.) At this age, I would not take them out of the house, to a vet, or anywhere else. They are still too young for antibiotics or any medications. There isn't much a vet can do for them, and you will be exposing them and Momma to stress and outside diseases. Let Momma raise them the best she can.
2007-02-12 09:00:12 · answer #1 · answered by Blue Giants 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gosh so many questions.
1. Do you know if this is her first litter?
if it is, I would say, she has no idea how to care for them, and in some cases new mothers will ignore their off-spring, leaving them to die.
2. Has anyone handled the babies?
If so, she will not care for them, as they have a different smell now
3. Is the Dad still around?
If so separate him out.
Very bad for the babies, male rabbits have been know to kill their off-spring.
A warm, dry, semi-dark place should be provided to the mommy so she can do what is necessary for her remaining babies
4. Have you removed the dead babies?
If not, please so right away.
Good Luck
If all else fails, please call your Vet
2007-02-11 01:50:20 · answer #2 · answered by Aunt Henny Penny 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are many reasons for the death of young bunnies including the mother may have sensed that something was wrong with them and killed them herself. i would take mom and babies to the vet as soon as possible. google house rabbit society. there is so much health info for rabbits there, also any other question you would need answered.good luck to you and your rabbits.
2007-02-11 01:58:17 · answer #3 · answered by punkbun03 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it sometimes happen that the rabbits die because they are to weak or the mother can't care for all of them just check on them allot , make sure they are warm and that the mother is not kicking them out
2007-02-11 01:43:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
were they getting enough food or were the other bunnies hogging the milk of the mother.
this is what happened to my gineau pigs and we had to give some away so there would be enough milk
2007-02-11 01:42:52 · answer #5 · answered by glamour_bebe9423 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this happens occasionally in rabbits, somtimes for no apparent reason.....just make sure everyone is in the nest at all times so they don't miss feeeding.
2007-02-11 02:03:58 · answer #6 · answered by Olivia W 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the mom probably killed them because you touched them.
2007-02-14 12:57:35 · answer #7 · answered by dalisay29 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋