HELP! Found my doe had 2 babies, in need of advice!

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 6sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 6 months ago by LittlePuffyTail.

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- 09/02/2018 at 3:32 PM
  Liv44
  Participant
  4 posts
  Hello!
  
  I am in urgent need for some advice on how to handle the two babies my doe (5 months old) had unexpectedly! Of course it is a Sunday, and tomorrow is Labor day so I can’t get in contact with any local vets or humane societies. I figure these hours are the most crucial for survival.
  
  Unfortunately, it appears that she began to eat the legs off of one of the kits, but the other has no signs like that. I found them laying on the ground outside of the cage, with my doe inside her cage (She has an open cage with room to romp around in the basement). She was just sitting like nothing was going on and hopped down and out of her cage to see me like normal. Then I turned and saw the babies. I immediately put together a little nesting box and put the babies inside with bedding, a blanket and a warm water bottle underneath.
  
  I am afraid for her to try to eat the other baby, and I’m afraid that her seeming to ignore them so soon after birth is a bad sign. I want to do anything I can for their survival, at least the one that appears to be okay, I assume the one with no legs will not make it
  
  Thanks in advanced!!
- 09/02/2018 at 4:56 PM
  olliebun
  Participant
  57 posts
  sorry to hear that . some bunnies have trouble with their first litter so its not uncommon for some to not know what to do. I read that you can use kitten milk replacement or goat milk ( could be wrong)if the babies are not nursing. make sure to keep the male away and have her spayed when the babies are weaned and she’s ready so this doesn’t happen again. I hope more experienced people will pitch in soon. best of luck
- 09/02/2018 at 6:29 PM
  Liv44
  Participant
  4 posts
  I ended up calling the nearest veterinary hospital which gave me a number for a local volunteer through another shelter. I told her the situation and I couldn’t believe her response. I was just looking for advice over the phone, but she offered to drive a 30 minutes to meet me half way from where she was, at the drop of a hat. She offered for her shelter to take them and nurse them to health, I would just have to adopt them back but with no other charge. She currently has them under her care and I am awaiting an update. Last she said though was that they weren’t in great shape. I’m just so thankful someone out there was willing to go so far for a stranger. There are still good people out there.
- 09/02/2018 at 7:30 PM
  Asriel and Bombur
  Participant
  1104 posts
  Along with keeping your girl separate from your boy at all times, make sure they can’t touch through any bars either. Bunnies can oddly enough mate through bars and boys have a long spraying range. So just keep that in mind. Really monitor mom over the next few days. 5 months is way too young to be enduring pregnancy, so you’ll really want to keep an eye on her, as most young does do not survive pregnancy or the days after.
  
  I hope it works out
- 09/03/2018 at 5:55 AM
  Azerane
  Moderator
  4691 posts
  Liv that is a great response. I hope you get a positive update about the kits.
- 09/04/2018 at 5:25 PM
  Liv44
  Participant
  4 posts
  Well, the kits did not make it through the night. While it is of course sad I’ve read how common it is for them to not make it for the moms first litter, plus her being so young.
  
  Asriel and Bombur, I was concerned about her young age for her own sake. She has been eating and drinking fine, and shes no more skiddish than she has always been. I noticed the day after she kept making an odd movement almost like she was constipated or trying to poop. I haven’t noticed it today. Is there really a chance she could die in the next few days? I’m worried about her
  
  Thanks to all for any advice!
- 09/04/2018 at 6:09 PM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  I’m so sorry and sad to hear that.
  
  I think I would bring Mama in for a wellness check, for sure. Better safe than sorry. And talk to them about spaying her as well.
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