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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

Questioner's Rating

Rating(1-10)	Knowledgeability = 10	Clarity of Response = 10	Politeness = 10
Comment	thank you so much! and haha no the dad isnt with her. we'd let them play together under close supervision.. apparently this time it wasnt close enough lol and thank you for the advice on the meds! i called probably 5+ vets in our area and they all told me they'd either get back to me or to call petco....

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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 vet at www.rabbit.org/vets for immediate help, and don't risk your bunny's life by spending time asking questions online! If you can't get in touch with your vet, read these Emergency Sick Bunny Instructions.

If you have found a wild baby rabbit, please read these EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS FOR WILD BABY RABBITS and then use this link to FIND A LOCAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR who can give you the right advice.

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

I have been rescuing domestic and wild rabbits for more than 25 years. I have written articles for many rabbit rescue publications, as well as for the veterinary journal, Exotic DVM. I own EtherBun, the internet's largest listserve dedicated to health, care, and behavior of domestic rabbits.

Organizations
Houserabbit Adoption, Rescue, and Education, Inc. (H.A.R.E., Inc.) president National House Rabbit Society (Board member)

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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