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Is my rabbit sick or pregnant?

22 11:19:06

Question
a few weeks ago I bought a dwarf rabbit from our local pet shop. Lately her (not sure about the sex) stomach has been swelling up, Sometimes it feels like fluid and her uriune is white and milky. then again sometimes I can feel little bumps. Is she sick, Pregnant or both?
If shes pregnant, how do i look after them and make their mom as comfortable as possable. please reply ASAP! thanx

Answer
Hello Judy.  My, you do have a problem.  Sounds to me more sick than pragnant.

The urine problem is caused by to much calcium in her diet - rabbits excret excess calcium thru the kidneys.  You should give her apple cider vinegar - 3ml for every 500 ml of water in her water dish, not just for now but for the rest of her life.

The swishy watery sound intestinaly is not good - it is most likely caused by a bad diet and can be very serious.  Suspend all food but give her all the dry hay or grass she wants for at least three days with fresh water at all times.  ( this worries me )  If you have fresh papaya available I would give her a 1 inch square 2 times a day for three days also; to get rid of any intestinal blockage.

The little bumps are, most likely, excreta - kits are difficult to palpate - tho intestinal movement, to a novice, can look like babies moving.

Rabbits are very delicate as far as diet goes - the pellets that you buy in pet stores are not the best kind - they have to much "goodies" in them and then pet owners love to give more "goodies" - the bunnies look so cute eating out of your hand !  A good quality pellet for a pet rabbit should have about 14% protein, it should look dark green, be very hard and smell fresh. The main ingrediente should be alfalfa. You should always have available some dry grass or hay for her to nibble on.  Carrots are cartoon rabbit food - they have to much vit A and can cause problems.  You can give her a small ( 1/2" ) piece once a week.  My rule of thumb is one 1/2" piece of a "goodie" per day - be that a slice of bannana ( with peel ) or apple, pear, etc.  

To find out "her" sex -  turn her over and gently press above and below her privet area to expose her genitals, if you see a slit she is a she ; if you see a burrito she is a he.