Overdue Bunny

Question
QUESTION: I have a small breed holland lop that I bred on the 11/12th of Jan. She started to pull fur about 4 days ago and has made a nest. She is definalty pregnant as I could feel the babies when I handled her yesterday. However she is now 32/33 days into it and not showing any signs of labour. Im not sure whether to take her to vet or wait it out. What do you think? Any help greatly appreciated, Thanks Phil

ANSWER: Dear Phil,

If she doesn't begin labor within a day or two, I would take her to a good rabbit vet:

www.rabbit.org/vets

to see if it's necessary to induce labor with a shot of oxytocin.  Holland lops are wee, and if the babies grow too large, she could have difficulty delivering them.  It's better to be safe than sorry in a case like this.

Please also read:

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

I hope this helps.

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for reply, looks like I spoke too early, nipped home at dinnertime and there were three. Unfortunatly, two larger ones were dead but still warm and a smaller one still very alive. Its cold outside so ive kept the nestbox indoors over a luke warm heater. This morning, baby very strong. Ive turned mum on her back and put baby onto her to suckle but doesnt look like mum is producing any milk. Im going to try again tonight. I dont have the time to manualy feed the baby so if mum doesnt produce by tomorow I dont know what ill do. Any suggestions greatfully appreciated. Thanks Phil,  Lake District(UK)

Answer
Dear Phil,

Don't assume mama isn't making milk.  Rabbits are not at all like dogs in their nursing habits, and if you turn her over so the baby can nurse, you might be stressing her so that she won't let down her milk.

Please read this right away:

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

and if she really isn't able to feed the baby, this should give you all the information you need to successfully raise the wee one:

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

But don't assume she's not caring for him.  Mother rabbits feed only once or twice a day, then get far away from the nest.  It's an instinct that helps them avoid attracting predators to the nest.  She'll probably be quite secretive about her feedings.  The articles above tell you how to discern whether she's feeding the baby or not, and you can go from there.

Please also be sure to read:

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

Good luck!

Dana