Need help about rabbit kits

Question
My rabbit just gave birth today. I was shocked when I saw the kit. But the mother is ignoring the baby. I didn't know that she was pregnant. I found the baby under one of her toys struggling. The mother didn't make a nest and is completely ignoring the baby. She also mutilated the baby. When I saw the baby I saw that it had blood and one ear is already missing. What should I do?


Answer
Hi rt,

separate the baby.  Often moms do this because we start moving stuff around in the cage afterwards and they take it out on the baby.  When it's too crowded in the cage sometimes this happens as well.  They generally only reject the baby as a reaction to something, and it's either us messing around with their cage stuff right after the birth, or it's too cramped by the mom's standards.

Put some styptic powder or gel (that you have on hand for stopping nail bleeds) unless the ear has already stopped bleeding.  You may need to feed the baby and keep it separate.  this is a big undertaking.  Get some puppy milk replacement from a pet supply store immediately and you will have to start feeding the little one every couple hours.  

A site with more articles you should read and print out is the House Rabbit Society:  www.rabbit.org

and search on "newborn" and "babies" and you will find a lot of good related articles - it is easier and faster ot point you there instead of writing it out myself.

Good luck, I will pray for your little kit.

Lee