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dead baby rabbits

22 10:32:02

Question
My Californian/New Zeland doe recently had a 6 kit litter Monday. She made a nice nest in her box with the hay I put in her cage and pulled plenty of hair. The babies were healthy and pink looking and doing fine as was the mom. I went to feed and check on my rabbits Saturday morning and noticed 2 of her kits not moving and found all 6 dead. They were healthy looking, plenty fat and their fur was coming on nicely. Only thing I noticed was dark brown/black "crud" or something in their nostrils. I live in Oklahoma, the weathers been 40-60 degrees and spring rains. The doe has raised nice litters before and two other litters in my rabbit shed are doing fine. One litter born before and one after the litter in question. Any ideas? Thanks.

Answer
Dear Bret,

I am sorry for the loss of your babies.

It sounds as if the babies might have had respiratory infections, but if the crust on the noses was brown, it almost sounds as if it might have been dried blood, suggesting hemorrhage.  Only a necropsy on the babies would reveal the cause of death, and you can find a rabbit vet here who might be able to help:

www.rabbit.org/vets

I don't think Viral Hemorrhagic Disease has been reported in your area, but this is one thing that could take out a litter so suddenly, and with little outward sign except bleeding from the orifices.  The only weird thing is that VHD should not affect babies younger than 6 weeks, who apparently acquire immunity when exposed to this deadly virus.  But since VHD isn't known in your area, I doubt this was it.

Is there a possibility that anyone sprayed pesticides nearby, or that the babies came in contact with any other sort of toxin?  This really is very strange, but unfortunately only a necropsy including tissue samples sent off for histopathology and toxicology testing might help solve this mystery.

I am sorry.

Please also see:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/breeding.html


Dana