Does dying

[Joan]

Wondering if anyone can give me some idea of what may be killing my does. They appear to be in perfect health, time for breeding so we get that done. A few days later they stop eating and drinking, and are dead in a few days. Any ideas? It doesn't seem to be affecting any bucks or young rabbits, just the does that have been bred. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[arachyd]

Have you opened up any of them to see if there is a problem with their internal organs? A necropsy can tell you a lot about a rabbit that you'd never see while the rabbit is alive. Especially look at lungs, liver, heart and intestines - those areas are easiest to spot a problem. Also look at the inner side of the skin for bruising.

[secuono]

Same buck used for all dead does? If so, he could be infecting them.
But yea, open them up. You'll know more that way.

[arnie]

i'll agree pay close attention to the liver if it has white spots when you check them .they could have liver flukes ( a parasite ).carrying a "worm load " they can appear fine till the added demands of being pregnant

[CurtisWilliams]

You said that they are not drinking. Are you using bottle type waterers? After losing three otherwise healthy kits, for no apparent reason, I discovered today that my waterbottles were 'vacuum locking' and not dispensing water. I had some mighty thirsty bunnies, and might have saved one who was dehydrated and lethargic.

I filled the bottle, held it upright and tapped the ball repeatedly. After ten taps, the flow slowed, and at twenty, nothing was coming out. Not good.

[Joan]

Thanks for the suggestions. We checked their bottles and they're working fine. The last 2 does that were sick seem to be on the mend. We gave them some Pedialyte and that seemed to pep her up and she started eating and drinking. So far, so good. IF we have any more deaths we will be sure to open them up and see what they look like.

[arnie]

i'm still conserned i'd worm em . if they have been on the ground eating grass it is a good bet they need it .

[Joan]

Arnie---what do I use to worm them and where can I pick it up? Would Fleet Farm have something? We put them in pens on the ground in the summer so they can forage a bit and have never had this problem. Could hoards of mosquitoes be causing any problems? Can they pick up any diseases from mosquitoes? Thanks!

[arnie]

I have used pour on wormer for cattle about a half teaspoon between the sholders .some use safe guard horse wormer; a small pea sized drop on a pop cicile stick stuk in there mouth and smeared on the toung for a med sized 9-11 pound meat type rabbit . sorry I have no experience with moskitos . most farm stores carry these it may be hard to find the cattle wormer in small amounts but a tube of horse wormer will go a long way .