When to worry about time between delivering kits

My mom has a rabbit that had 3 kits yesterday morning (or she found them in the morning, most likely born overnight). But she noticed that she still has at least one more inside her, as she can see it moving inside her belly. I recommended giving her a Tum, as I've read the calcium can help progress things. But at what point is it too long? She said yesterday evening she was grinding her teeth, so she's obviously in pain. I told her to check to see if one was stuck...haven't heard back from her yet this morning.

My mom had an interesting theory. The doe was bred once a day for three days. Delivered on day 32 from the first breeding. She wanted to know if she conceived at 3 different times, if they wouldn't all be ready to be born at the same time. I thought that was ridiculous. Even if they were conceived on 3 different days, wouldn't the first "set" trigger the rest to be born as well? Afterall, they'd all be in the same uterus.

[MaggieJ]

Actually, your Mom is close. A rabbit's uterus is not one chamber but rather two long horns, sort of like a double windsack. It is not uncommon for a doe to conceive in only one horn at a time. This can result in the kits being born at different times. Sometimes the first set being born will trigger the second set but sometimes not. Next time, it would be a good idea to breed the doe two or three times the same day or one evening and the next morning rather than spread it out quite so much.

Did she give the doe the TUMS? It should help. If the doe wouldn't take it she may have to grind it up and dissolve it in water or an electrolyte solution and syringe it into her. If the doe is grinding her teeth she is in pain... there could be a kit stuck. I have heard that a few buds of lavender will help expel what is in the uterus, but I have never had a doe with birth complications and have hever tried it. Your mother may have to act as midwife or call a vet if the situation does not resolve itself. I wish I knew more about this and I hope someone who has been through it will read this and help. You may want to start a new thread with a title like URGENT! How to assist a doe in labour? or something like that. I know there was a thread about this a long time ago... I'll see if I can find it for you.

Well, you learn something new everyday! We've always done once a day for 3 days...not to increase litter size, but as "back up" in case the first never took....maybe we should rethink our breeding policy. Always did it just once a day as morning is the only time their real interested w/o getting too hot (not even in the evening).

[MaggieJ]

Okay, I went through a few searches and read a lot of posts, but didn't find too much to help in this situation. A couple of people had to put does down because of extreme birthing problems. The only advice I found on helping reposition a stuck kit was this:

grease up your smallest finger and use it to help reposition the baby. Don't forget to cut the fingernail real short so as not to tear up the canal. Sometimes, a 'massage' can also help turn the baby into the correct direction-- even breach, there is a better chance. Rub one side towards Mommas head, and the other towards her bum-- helping Momma relax will help turn the baby, as well.

The "grease" would be vasoline or something like KY Jelly.

Rabbits do not often have birthing problems, but when they do it seems they are serious. Your mom may have to take the rabbit to a vet or put her down if it goes on too long. An infusion of lavender or sage may help increase the contractions. There is also a medication called oxytocin, but I don't know anything about how it is used.

So, I guess the mom was done at 3. I have a feeling my mom was just "seeing things" when she saw more babies moving in the doe's belly. I saw the kits at 3 days old yesterday, and they are much bigger and have more hair than my 4 day old kits! Very fat babies and mom is doing well. Guess just an overreaction!

[MaggieJ]

Glad it worked out okay. And thanks for posting the update. I hate to be left hanging and wondering...