Rabbit Web Discussion Board

We purchased a rabbit two days ago from the RSPCA. She is a polish dwarf rabbit and since getting her we have kept her inside with the intentions of putting her outside and introducing her to our other small rabbit once she has settled down.
However when we got her she was with her two babies and since she has been home she has had 3 still-born rabbits and have found two placentas (or maybe one but in two bits?) over the last 24hrs. She gave birth one at time and did not seem to be in continous labour. We feel that they were probably born too early and the stress of moving her from the RSPCA to our home may have caused these babies to die. Could this have been the case?
We are worried there may be more and are not sure what to do to protect her health. We have never had a rabbit give birth before and so were wondering whther any checks on her needed to be carried out?
BTW she is eating well although sometimes makes grunts and can be unhappy when handling her. Please can you give some advice and how many babies does the average dwarf rabbit have? Thanks, any help is much appreciated.

Just another note: The rabbit atm does seem happy and quite lively although is not particulary keen on being touched. Plus some of her poos are quite sticky and wet.

5 kits is a good size litter for a Netherland. My guess is she won\'t have anymore. Did the 2 kits she had with her survive? Chances are, this was a term litter. The move may or may not have complicated things. I think it just boils down to a case where the doe was bred and no one knew it.

Netherland Dwarf rabbits are very prone to complications when kindling due to the disproportionate size of the head to the body. Stillborn kits are not uncommon.

Since the doe is eating, it sounds like she is OK. The growling is normal. Actually, that doe is probably interested in finding a buck right about now. Keep her chaste. Does are very receptive to the buck almost immediately following kindling. Make sure her diet is not too rich. This will cause the \"sticky poop\" syndrome. You may notice soft, grape-like clusters of feces in her cage. These are cecotropes and are normally consumed by the rabbit directly from the anus. This is also normal rabbit behavior. It is a way of recycling the food to get more B vitamins, etc. - kinda like a cow chewing its cud.

Good luck.

Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com

Thanks a lot that was great.
We left her babies at the RSPCA as they were weaned off her and about 9wks old. Both babies were doing fine, altough I don\'t know whether there were any still borns in that lkitter as the RSPCA were only given them when the babies were about 5 wks.
I was just wondering when I should put her outside and when I should introduce her to my male (but neutered) rabbit (who is also outside). They have had a play inside and get on great, plus she has settled down now and seems very friendly.
Thanks again