8 weeks and pregnant

[Sugar1381]

I got an American Chinchilla rabbit on May 26th – she was born April 19th. Last Tuesday night I saw her stomach rolling, lumps moving back and forth. I put a “best box” in her cage, but she isn’t doing anything with it really. I’m scared to move her, disturb her – therefore I don’t want to take her to a vet…I’m also scared a vet will poke at her wrong and hurt the babies. I’ve read that a doe can die while in labor, or the babies don’t make it. I’m so worried. Any advice (

[RabbitPam]

I urge you to take her to a vet, an exotics vet that knows about rabbits. The vet will know how to handle her, and can evaluate her condition and advise you on what is going on. We don’t allow photos of babies or intentional breeding, but with an “oops” litter (one you didn’t plan and find yourself with) we have a few members who can give you advice as needed. But a vet is best, and if you bring her in a towel, gently, in a carrier, your vet will certainly handle her with care.

[Sarita]

She could not be pregnant at this age. I don’t know what you are seeing but I think if you are concerned you should take her to a vet to see what is wrong, but at 8 weeks pregnancy is not possible for a female.

[Sugar1381]

I definitely didn’t plan on having a pregnant rabbit. I have a vet appointment next Monday, but in case she goes into labor I am seeking advice. My fear is that she and the babies will die because she is too young.

[Sarita]

Like I said, she is not old enough to be pregnant at 8 weeks old and you got her when she was about 5.5 weeks when you got her.

[Sugar1381]

Apologies Sarita, I am on my phone and did not see your post until after I posted my response. So it makes me feel better that she can’t be pregnant, but the next question is any idea what I am seeing? She lays on he side and bumps (about the size of a quarter) move up and down, circle around, poke out etc etc. I looked up videos on YouTube of rabbit stomach moving and it’s pretty much the same thing.

[Sarita]

Most likely just food moving through her gut.

[Roberta]

I agree with Sarita, a vet visit is in order… To be this pregnant at 8 weeks she would have had to conceive at 4-6 weeks as gestation is 28 days…

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Sounds like something is going on-Your vet won’t harm the babies, they will know how to palpitate properly. Start phoning asap to find a rabbit vet (if you don’t have one yet) as not all vets see and know about rabbits. Then get in as soon as possible.

Often rabbits are sold as younger than they really are (though probably just as often they are too young!) -but definitely there is no way your bunny could be pregnant if she was born April 19, as that would mean she became sexually mature and exposed to a male within 5 weeks of birth. You could have been given the wrong birth date (intentionally or not) is what I’m saying If it’s the correct birth date, there is no mistaking she’s not pregnant.

However something is going on, and you’ll want to see a vet as soon as possible. If you see other symptoms please post here-and any updates-we’d love to hear so please keep us posted.

Is she eating/drinking/peeing/pooping and moving around ok?

[xBunnyKissesx]

Can you possibly contact her former owners to see if she was bred? Where did you get her from?

[Sugar1381]

She is eating/pooping/peeing and acting normal. She is a bit stand off-ish today is the first day she came to me and bumped my hand with her nose. The guy I got her from had the dad running loose in the backyard and the mom in a hutch and the babies in a separate cage. While I was at his house, one of the babies got out of the cage, he caught it and put it back in with the others. I didn’t think anything of it when I saw her stomach move, it looks like a pregnant cat when the kittens move inside – I know that rabbits aren’t mature until about 5 months, but what if she came in contact with the dad? I don’t know. I will try to contact him tomorrow to confirm the exact date. I was nervous about a vet because I read that pregnant does are fragile and not to pick them up because it could harm the kits.
I will keep this updated, as of now no symptoms other than the round moving tummy.

[Roberta]

My knowledge of pregnant and birthing rabbits was gained through two oops litters and rescue… I have never nor will I ever intentionally breed a rabbit or any animal (even my siamese fighting fish were an unexpected event) The youngest a bun can conceive is about 9 weeks, boys are fertile at that age but not usually girls but there are always exceptions, once they hit 12 weeks it is tempting fate to let them have contact. Getting pregnant at 9 weeks is very bad and usually proves fatal for all parties… I would still urge a vet visit to be sure of what is going on..

[MoveDiagonally]

If she’s really 8 weeks old it’s pretty impossible for her to get pregnant even if she had contact with an intact male. I think a vet visit is a great idea. It’s always a good idea to have a physical and fecal test done when you get a new rabbit. You can also discuss some of your concerns with them. I wouldn’t worry about harming the kits by taking her to the vet. If she’s under 12 weeks and pregnant then she needs a vet to have any real chance of surviving the pregnancy. If she’s not pregnant, again, it’s just a good thing to do.

Keep us posted.

[Sugar1381]

I just got back from the vet, not my normal vet – but I wanted to get her in ASAP.
Two Dr.’s checked and confirmed that she is pregnant. They said their guess on how old she is, is about 8 or 9 weeks, no more than 10 and the chances of survival are about 50/50. I think they were trying to stay on the bright side, the kept saying that she may ba able to handle it with no problems.

I’m so upset and heartbroken. They said just keep the nest box in her cage, plenty of water and food & hay.

[CooperLop]

Oh no, so sorry to hear this update, poor girl

[xBunnyKissesx]

Prayers for you and your bun. .

[Roberta]

So sorry to hear this… I guess there is always an exception to any rule…
Make sure she has unlimited food of all varieties, a box or somewhere secure she can build a nest and lots of paper hay etc to build with… Although being this young she may not nest…. Please PM me if you need any help or advice… You probably won’t have long to wait, I would suggest that at the slightest sign that she is having difficulty you get her to the vets or speak to them and see if it is an idea to bring her in when she goes into labour.
Keeping you and your little girl in my thoughts

[Beka27]

I’m really wondering if she may be 12 weeks old then, but maybe just a very small bunny.

Is this vet office open 24/7, or did they give you contact info for a local emergency vet?

[Sugar1381]

The vet was super nice and reassured me that they knew everything about rabbits (because I wouldn’t let them take her out unless they knew how to handle her- sounds silly, but I’m so scared for my baby). She (the Dr.) gave me her cell phone number and the number to the 24hr vet. If all goes well they said they’d work with me on cost of spaying and neutering. I should have asked if they could tell how many are in there…. I’m so scared.
Will keep you all posted, the vets said she will more than likely have them at night or early morning. I have her next to my bed so if I hear anything I can watch and be ready to assist.

[Roberta]

The best thing is to keep her in a dark quiet area so she is not stressed by noise or movement… In your bedroom is good as there won’t be any other people or pets about to disturb her. Has she made any attempt to nest ?

[Sugar1381]

Nothing even remotely resembling a nest yet, but she has been cleaning herself all day.

[Roberta]

If she is pulling fur then she is showing some signs of nest building If you have a square box that she can fit into and move around seal it up and cut a round hole in the front just big enough for her to get in, fill it with some soft hay and torn up paper and maybe some strips of polar fleece cut up… Make sure there are no loose threads or strings… My Pepper had her oops litter in a box that I got a set of giant martini glasses in.

[Roberta]

Sorry, reread the first post, you already have a box…

[LongEaredLions]

It’s not silly at all to be picky about vets!
(((((Vibes for a safe delivery)))))

[MoveDiagonally]

I’m so sorry you and your bunny are having to go through this. Vibes to you both! I hope everything works out the best that it can. 

You’ve received some good advice so far. Roberta is one of our most knowledgeable members when it come to situations like this. I’m going to lock this post and place the rule text/reason below. Please don’t take this as you having done something wrong or that you can’t be a member here (do stick around!). We just want to make sure you get the best information possible so you can help your bunny.  

Accidental Litters:  We do not have the experience to advise you. We do not allow ongoing threads on the matter because the information then goes out to google search results, inviting more of the same. Only a couple of members have some experience with this, but we are unable to make sure the advice given is reliable; we are not a site or forum that has a wealth of experience in this matter and it would be better for your bunnies to find reliable resources for pregnant/nursing does and their babies.  Please visit Resources and scroll to “Oops Surprise Litter”.  Other forums like Rabbitsonline.net, that cater to a broader range of experience, may also be of help. And of course, be sure to seek vet care and advice. Do not post pictures of the litters unless you plan on keeping them.(or whichever one or so you plan to keep).  Do not use the forum to give or sell bunnies as well.

Here are some good resources:
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/surpriselitter.html
http://www.rabbit.org/care/babies.html
http://myhouserabbit.com/new-to-rab…y-bunnies/

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