Help! Found dead baby bunny!

[sagealbright]

This morning I went out to my bunnies and found out my girl Ramona had made a nest. I went in to retrieve materials which would keep the nest warmer only to find when I went back out that she had already had one kit tucked in the nest, and it was no longer alive. We were unaware that Ramona could have babies since the people we got her from told us she was fixed. She was not housed with my male but they are put in a pen together on occasions to play.

As for the kit, I'm not sure how long it was in there. Probably since early this morning. It was cold to the touch even though I keep it around 74 degrees where they are housed. I tried rubbing the kit to bring it back and warming it up, nothing. It's definitely gone.

My question is, will she have more? She doesn't seem to be in "labor" she's hopping around eating and acting normal. Could she have eaten her other babies? I'm not sure what to do at this point. I'm a little freaked out by finding a dead kit in the cage when I didn't even know she was pregnant until today. This is her first litter that I know of. I'm worried maybe there's other kits stuck in there.

 

[sagealbright]

Bumping a thread is against the rules.

 

[Happy Camper]

Ok... from this point on many things can happen. If she has been "playing" occasionally with your male there is the possibility she has kits at different developmental stages still inside. Let me make a long story short. She has two uteruses or a dual uterus. If exposed occasionally (meaning not a one shot deal) she will get pregnant in both uteruses with two different due dates.

Usually one, some or all kits die. However, I have seen the first litter die and the second survive. They may be kindled some days apart or even a couple weeks apart... so, don't discard her nest yet.

Another possibility is that she was interrupted or startled while in labor and she has just stopped it. She should resume when conditions are favorable within the next 12 to 24 hours. If she's a new mom I'd leave the dead kit in the nest for her to know where to kindle the rest... then remove any dead kits.

I am yet to see a rabbit kindle a singleton... but it might be your case. Please keep us posted.

 

[Happy Camper]

Oh... and also I am yet to see a rabbit eat a kit (and vanish it or them). I have had meat and pet rabbits for 4 years now. Even when less experienced friends call me to check on problem litters I have just seen bitten kits by freaked out moms or moms that kindle with males by their side. In those cases one does not know who injured the babies... but (in my experience) cannibalism I am yet to see. I have read that from people though...

 

[Godsgrl]

I have seen cannibalism in rabbits. In my youth, I was lucky enough to witness my doe kindle. One of the kits was stillborn, and before I could do anything, the doe consumed it. Unfathomable to us, but animals have to keep the nest clean. There was nothing left of the kit, at the end of things, either.

 

[Happy Camper]

Wow! I also read they have an instinct to do this since in the wild any dead kits would attract either predators or disease.... go figure.

What happened with your bunny Sagealbright?

 

[sagealbright]

Wow! I also read they have an instinct to do this since in the wild any dead kits would attract either predators or disease.... go figure.

What happened with your bunny Sagealbright?

Sorry I have been MIA. I have been very busy. Ramona did not have any more babies. She's still continuing to make a nest every day but I think it may be because she does not realize her only kit is no longer in there. No other signs she will have anymore. I felt her stomach and there doesn't seem to be anymore in there.

 

[Happy Camper]

I'd just give her some additional days with her nest. If she soils the nest put a clean one with some hay. My neighbor had this happen some months ago and doe was able to kindle with a nest. If she keeps soiling it then she will not use it. At least you know she's fertile. Regarding palpating her it will also depend (if she is still pregnant) on the developmental stage kits are and the amount. Even with normal kiddings I have missed palpating some very pregnant does.... I have learned the hard way to always put a nesting box even when they play unpreggo to me. Right now I have a doe who was due yesterday with an empty nesting box... I have not been able to feel kits. However, I will only remove the nesting box in five more days, if there is no hair or if she soils the nesting box everyday for at least 3 days...

Your's is probably done... but better safe than sorry. I would not be surprised at all if she pops out some kits in the following days.