Pet Information > ASK Experts > Exotic Pets > Rabbits > Nursing rabbit lump found

Nursing rabbit lump found

22 11:25:32

Question
We have 2 pet french angora rabbits. One of them gave birth 3 weeks ago.  When they were 8 days old, we found 2 dead in the nest box.  Then at 11 days we found 2 more dead, they were dragged out of the nest box, and one was partially eaten.On this day, I also opened up the nest box to find cold, wet bunnies, she had urinated all over the fur in her nest, and the bunnies, it was gross! We took them inside and cleaned them all up. Then we took her to the vet and they said she had pneumonia,and gave her antibiotics. We took the bunnies out of her cage and brought her to them 2 times a day to feed them. The last 2 days or so, I have felt a quarter sized lump about 2/3 of the way down her stomach (right in the middle) and she seems to be acting strangely now. Any ideas or info?

Answer
Dear Nancy,

Pneumonia in rabbits can be very serious, so please be sure to use the antibiotics as directed.  I hope the vet you're seeing is experienced with rabbit medicine, as there are some antibiotics (e.g., amoxycillin) commonly used for other species that are deadly to rabbits.

The fact that she has a lung infection makes it not too surprising that the infection could spread to another area of her body, such as a mammary gland.  Nursing mothers can get mastitis (infection of the mammary gland), and it's possible this is what your bunny is suffering.  Without seeing it, I can't know for sure, but it's worth taking her to the vet.

Please read:

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

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

I hope this helps get you started. Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana