My baby rabbits aree dieing and idon'tt know what to do ?

Question

my rabbit had babies on the 28th july all have been fine till saturday one pasted away and one past away today i changed there cage on thursday to a bigger one and i run out of food from the pet shop so got some from the supermarket plez can anyone tell me why thay have start to die ive now took out the babies and put them on there own x*x

Answer 1

The babies should not be weaned until 5-6 weeks. Before that they should stay with their mother. Take them to the vet, with the mum, and ask for advice. Do not change the cage frequently as this can upset them, just remove dirty bedding as it comes, and add new stuff. always make sure there is some old bedding in there for them. Also, changing the food suddenly could affect them, and put them off eating.

Good luck!

xx

Answer 2

I suggest taking the rabbits to the vet. They might have a virus that is killing them.  

Answer 3

They could be dying for several reasons.  My first thoughts are that they need to be with their mother.  Not sure why you took them away.  Put them back.  They aren't even weaned yet.  I don't take them away from mom until they are 8 weeks old if they are healthy - 10 weeks if they are small.

The other problem I see as being likely is the food.  Grocery store and pet shop rabbit food is inferior to feed store rabbit pellets.  Buying from a feed store you can get quality, fresh feed that is free from all the "junk" extras that are common in the pet store product.  Proper nutrition is essential for a nursing doe and her kits.  

Your kits should never be without fresh water in a clean bowl and LOTS of quality hay.  Timothy, oat, or orchard hay is given freely during this critical age of weaning (4 - 6 weeks).  Weaning is very stressful on a baby rabbit's system.  Keep things simple: fresh pellets (green, smell sweet, not "dusty"), lots of hay, and fresh water.  NO GREENS/FRUITS.

A clean cage is essential, too.  Cleaning the cage while the rabbits wait in a box is no problem.  Clean cage twice a week.  If you use a drop pan, bonus.  It will be easier.  Wash their food/water bowls or bottles once a week.  Dump out any unused food and water each day and give fresh food/water.

Check bottoms.  Are they poopy?  That's a problem.  Clean them up - carefully comb out dried poops or clip it off the fur tips.  Otherwise, use baby wipes and dry them off.  Give Fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt with live cultures or store bought probiotics, uncooked old-fashioned oatmeal, fresh water available, NURSING from mom, and LOTS of good hay.  The poopy bum problem should clear up in 3 days.  

If they are too weak to drink try giving them gatorade/water (50/50) from a syringe.  They must be hydrated first and foremost.  You may also have to syringe feed them the yogurt.  

If they "slosh" when you gently shake them, take them to a vet immediately and tell them you think they have coccidia (sp?).

If your babies are not nursing or drinking (let them nurse!) or the mother is not given proper nutrition or a constant water supply she may loose her milk.  This may be a reason the kits are dying.  Check her for swollen mammary glands.  She could have mastitis.  In such case, contact your vet trained in rabbit medicine and EXPERIENCED in rabbits that reproduce.

Other than that, pray and be prepared to loose more.  Good luck.

Answer 4

maybe its to chilly out sounds for them?.. did u remove the mother to fast?are they getting the right food?,have u raised kittens (baby bunnies)before?