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About Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
Expertise
I've lived with companion rabbits for more than 35 years, and consider them members of my family. I can answer any questions about the biology and health of rabbits, from the commonplace to the unusual. But please note:
RULE #1:
THE INTERNET IS NOT THE PLACE TO SEEK HELP IN AN EMERGENCY.
- If your rabbits is LETHARGIC
- If your rabbit is NOT EATING
- If your rabbit is PHYSICALLY INJURED (including broken bones)
- If your baby rabbit has DIARRHEA
...it is an EMERGENCY.
Find a rabbit-savvy veterinarian at www.rabbit.org/vets for immediate help, and don't risk your bunny's life by spending time asking questions online!
RULE #2:
Help me help you! Please make your subject line informative if you have an urgent question.
- If you already have been to the vet and still need help
- if you can't find an available vet with the resources above
then LET ME KNOW IN THE SUBJECT LINE so I can give your question highest priority over non-urgent questions. If you don't do this, then I can't guarantee timely assistance!
For all the best, most accurate rabbit health, care and behavior information, visit The House Rabbit Society.
Experience
Publications
Exotic DVM
Warren Peace (Journal of the House Rabbit Society of Miami)
Various newsletters of the House Rabbit Society, nationwide
Education/Credentials
Ph.D - Biology
B.S. - Biology
B.A. - English
Awards and Honors
Lightspan Academic Excellence Award for web site on rabbit health and biology
(http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare)
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You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Veterinary Medicine > Rabbits > possible runt?
Rabbits - possible runt?
Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 11/6/2009
Question
My rabbit (1 yr old lionhead) had a surprise litter. My roommate has a dwarf hotot (1 yr couple months) who is the father.
this is her first litter and had 5 babies. they all looked super good/healthy first couple of days, then i noticed one of them started looking a bit skinnier, and as of today day 10 this one looks a lot smaller and skinnier.
Should I try giving it a bit of formula? and what kind would be best?
I also believe that while at my parents house (where my rabbit had the babies) my rabbit got ear mites from the cats and passed it on to the babies.
is there a safe product or alternative to use on the mom and babies?
thank you!
Answer
Dear Aimee,
Oops. I hope the father hasn't been near the mother since the birth, or she is pregnant again, and you will have a big problem when the new babies arrive four weeks after the first ones. The first litter will not yet be ready to wean. Please read:
www.bio.miami.edu/hare/surpriselitter.html
and this one for supplemental feeding instructions for the little runty one:
www.bio.miami.edu/hare/orphan.html
It might not hurt to try and feed him, but do this with caution. If he's growing at all, and doesn't look sick, then maybe let him have "first crack" at mama, by letting him eat first, and then when he's full, let the other babies have their turn. He needs that mama's milk to stay healthy, so any supplemental feeding you do should be just that.
For mites, Revolution (selamectin) is safe for mama and babies. You must get it from your vet, and--under the vet's supervision--apply only a tiny drop to each baby. Mama can get 0.1cc of the cat solution per kg of body weight, applied to the back of the neck. Your vet will give you the proper dose and information for your bunny.
Apply the Revolution to the babies only when mama isn't around, so she won't immediately groom it off them.
You can find a good rabbit vet here:
www.rabbit.org/vets
Hope this helps.
Dana
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