Help!!!!! Surprise baby bunnies!!!

[Reneé Jordan]

Help oh my gosh please please help! I don’t know what to do! I just got back from a work dinner and to my surprise my femal bunny gave birth to 3 baby bunnies! I didn’t even know she was pregnant!!! But she pulled out some hair but not a lot. I put them on a towel and put them inside of a bunny giddy house that’s plastic to give them some “shelter”. Velvet (mom) can easily get in and out of it. However, my baby bunnies are grey… not pink. She’s just stepping on them. They’re feeezing. How to I warm them up, how do I know she’s feeding them… what do I do!!!

[Wick & Fable]

Unfortunately not many users have a lot of knowledge on baby bunnies. You’ll need to do some research, potentially on online rabbit forums targeted to… Breeding. They may have sections about baby bunny care.

Calling your vet or a rabbit rescue near you may offer some more advice as well!

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Mikey]

To be honest, if theyve gone grey and cold, theyre likely already dead. The first litter often dies due to neglect (no proper nest, no feeding). If theyre breathing, youll need to rush them to an emergency vet right now if you want any chance of them living. For transport, keep the car warm and set them up in a box with a lot of warm towels.

[Bam]

I agree with Mikey, if they’re cold and gray they’re most likely dead. If they’re not, try warming them up and get them to a vet.

It’s very common for a bun’s first litter to not make it. The babies must be wrapped up in their mother’s fur so as not to freeze, because mama bun doesn’t lie with her kits like cat- and dog mamas do. The mama bun should make a nest for her kits before kindling, but a first time mum often doesnt have a clue about what’s going on, and so the kits die.

[Reneé Jordan]

Update**
The kits are now two days old and are warmer then ever, moving, and wrapped in nesting box. I trimmed some of velvets hair (not a lot just little snips) so that way they have her sent. They have full bellies and I can see their stomachs. The vet said to just leave her be, that she knows what she’s doing. I bought her alfalfa hay and she has unlimited food and water.
As far as the kits, none of them have died. She kinda covered them up with some towels and made a little nook for them so I think she may be nursing them. If she not I will go and pick up some “Rabbit Formula” and hand feed them…. but I won’t take any actions until at least a few more days.

[Bam]

That’s just wonderful news! If their bellies are nicely rounded they’re eating like they should, mama buns only feed their babies 1-2 times per day. The milk is very fat = high energy.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Great news!!! Stay warm and full little buns!!!

[Reneé Jordan]

New update*

Today the bunnies were cold to the touch. Still moving and very alert. I upped my thermostat in hopes they’ll warm up. I’m thinking about putting cotton balls in as a supplement fur because Velvet hasn’t pulled any fur still… any thoughts?

[Bam]

if they’re cold it could be that she’s not feeding them properly. I don’t know about cotton balls, most recommend towels. Here’s info on how to care for orphaned babies, scroll down to the paragraph that starts “The Bunny is DOMESTIC (i.e., pet rabbit, NOT wild) and Really Orphaned – How do I care for a domestic baby?”

http://rabbit.org/faq-orphaned-baby-bunnies/

[Mikey]

Soft clean towels are better than cotton balls. Cotton balls can be pulled apart and the babies can get stuck in them or even buried if you use too many. They also dont really hold heat like towels and blankets. If you dont want to use towels, clean fleece blankets are fine too. If possible, you can add a safe heater nearby them too, just make sure they (and mama bun) cant touch it or get to the wires.

[Deleted User]

I have absolutely no experience caring for newborn bunnies but I read through this and thought of something. Maybe tossing the towels in the dryer for a few minutes could be beneficial in helping get them up to temp? Obviously you don’t want them hot…but maybe if you are home with them, you could circulate warmed towels every so often to try and keep a regular, warm temperature threshold ? just a suggestion as I really don’t have the first clue about this stuff! Maybe someone else could tell you if it’s a bogus idea!

[Deleted User]

How are the babies doing?

[Reneé Jordan]

Update***
I lost the babies… Velvet wasn’t feeding them. I even tried to lay her on her back and hold the babies to her nipples. She wasn’t lactating. Thank you for all the tips on keeping them warm. Not sure if they passed because of me but if Velvet has anymore litters I will take all this advice!
Thank you,
-R.

[jerseygirl]

Oh that is very sad, Im sorry. It did sound as if you brought them back from near-death initially.

Im glad some of the BB members were able to give some guidance to you when you first discovered Velvet had had babies. That link bam posted is very helpful as is much of the information at rabbit.org It’s a good one to bookmark.
As you have mentioned the possibility of future litters, just be aware of the forum rule about the subject of intentional breeding.

Again, Im sorry for your loss.

[Bam]

I’m very sorry you lost the babies.

I’m locking this thread now.

[Author]

Messages