What are the chances that my bunny is pregnant?

[Elkie]

Alright, so here’s the deal.

I own a beautiful, white, lionhead bunny. She is about 5-6 months old and has stopped growing about a month ago. She was never meant to come in contact with any rabbits who were male… About eleven days ago she came in contact with a male lop rabbit (this was news to me until she came home from her playdate) and apparently they “got together” three times. They were pulled apart after each time they mated, but had mated for at least 10 seconds each time. Recently, her eating has picked up, and the amount of food that typically takes her 2-3 days to eat is eaten in about 12 hours.

I’ve done as much research as I can on the topic, but have never had a (possibly) pregnant bunny before. I plan on taking her to the vet for a check in a week or so, but until then I can’t help but be terribly curious. I know what to do if she does have a litter, but what are the chances that she really is pregnant? Could it be a false pregnancy?

[Roberta]

Oh Dear… I’d say there is a 99.9% chance she is pregnant. Prepare for the pitter patter of little bunny feet. I have had two oops litters I would recommend getting your bun spayed once she has had and weened the babies to prevent future incidents. Obviously you allowed her to go on the play date with the belief she would not be exposed to an un neutered male rabbit and the people she was with should have forewarned you… Yes, she will start to eat more and will need unlimited everything, hay greens and pellets before and after until the bubs are weened. You will need somewhere cosy for her to make a nest and lots of extra paper and hay for her to shred and fill the nest with. If it was 11 days ago you’ve got between two to three weeks, the average gestation is 28 to 30 days. A few days before she will become very hyper and start pulling fur. First she will run round gathering things for the nest (hay and paper) which she will shred and form into a mound, then she will ine the middle of it with the hair she pulls. Does she have a sleeping box ? If not find a small squarish box, I used a box a set of cocktail glasses came in and it worked out fine. Your vet could spay her before hand and terminate the pregnancy if he feels she is not too far advanced.

[Sarita]

It’s impossible to truly know – even a vet would have a hard time telling. My best advice is to get her spayed as soon as possible which would prevent this litter and any future litters. It’s highly possible but no one can say for sure and why would you want to take a chance?

[Roberta]

If you look at my sig pics the second one along is Daddy Piglet (now neutered) checking out the impromptu kindle box for his wife Pepper. Piglet was actually Neutered the week before the first litter arrived, the second oops litter occurred because I was not aware that the little blighters can still have sperm and conceive up to a month after being fixed. So if she is going on any future play dates and they say the boy bun has been neutered check when this was done and ensure that it has been over a month before they are allowed to interact again.

[Elkie]

Agreed, the plan is to get her spayed after the possible litter so that she can have more playdates without the worry! I guess I should start preparing for little puffs running around the house!

[Elkie]

And thank you for your help and opinions! This is definitely a first for me.

[Roberta]

Sounds like you have decided to risk the litter keep in touch and I’ll give you what info I can, I’m no professional but do have the experience of the “OMG she’s having babies kind”. You’re going to have your hands full. Also a vet check would also be a good idea.

[Elkie]

My plan is to take her into the vet as soon as possible and see what they would recommend for her. I hope that we can get her spayed beforehand, but I do not know enough about rabbit pregnancy to know what is best and safest for her.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

That sounds like the best plan. An emergency spay would be great if the vet recommends-she’s certainly not far along.

Welcome btw! Out of curiosity -where does she go for playdates? Is she ‘dating’ at a shelter to find a bonded friend or is this a service by a company or at a friends house?

[Elkie]

Thanks for the welcome! She went to a friends house, I wasn’t aware that their bunny was a male. He had a very unisex name!

[Roberta]

I agree with an emergency spay too. As lovely as little bunnies are there are so many things to be considered.(Which is where I would have gone if I didn’t have to leave before to take my mother shopping) Your bunnies well being to begin with. In many cases a first litter will not survive especially if the father is a bigger breed. Then their is the extra expense for food and vets habitat etc then you have to find them homes.

[LoveChaCha]

I hope that you get this settled!

Just a warning: bunnies can’t really go on play dates unless you intend to bond them. If you intend to bond rabbits, both need to be fixed and housed together 24/7.

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