Really Worried

[aswain6]

Our bun Clover has a litter of 3 last Sunday. Since then she has been on a diet of alfalfa hay and her regular timothy pellets. She has a lot of cecotropes and hard poos as well. I figure it’s probably because of the high protein diet? The thing that has me really really worried is I noticed today that she is breathing really rapidly. I feel like it’s a lot faster than normal and it almost seems as if it’s more noticeable when she’s lying on her side. Could this be because of the diet change? If not, should I be worried?! I’m really freaking out!

[BanditCamp]

Check the temperature of the room. Bunnies are comfortable around 55-75 and since she’s making milk her body might be overheating. Offer frozen two liters to lean against or a Chattanooga black large cooling pad in a pillowcase to lay on (bandit loves these to lounge on)

[Bam]

The change of diet would not cause her to breathe more rapidly, but the poop irregularities are probably a result of the change. She does need extra food though, so it’s not a good time to start cutting back on food. She should still have access to normal grass hay as well as the alfalfa.

I’m sorry I can’t be of much help. Most of us here have very limited experience with new bun mamas and kits. The forum Rabbitsoline has a section called the Rabbitry and Showroom where such matters are discussed. Here’s a link to that forum: http://www.rabbitsonline.net/forumdisplay.php?s=e176a35e5e51d6bea4b4d5406e0f3514&f=20

[aswain6]

Thank you both! My fiance put ice cubes in her water and he said that helped a little. I didn’t even think that she may be over heated trying to make milk! I figured the poos were a result in the change it diet. The amount of poos is literally crazy! I think if we notice it again today then we will call the vet and see what he thinks. I’m just super worried and paranoid because we found her outside so we have no idea of her history other than what’s happened with her since we’ve had her.

[BanditCamp]

My rabbit breaths fast if he’s hot. I use a pad and a bottle and he immidately lays on it and falls asleep

[aswain6]

What kind of pad?

[BanditCamp]

You can get them on Amazon I use this pad as it’s the ones that the army uses for medical injuries to the chest or back. The difference between the blue and black is the black is more rugged and can take a few hits (digging or nips) and I also put it in a thin pillow case so it gets cold but not sharp cold that could cause irritated skin. I have two of them and on a warm day I switch them out as they last for about an hour

Chatonooga colpac 12×18 black (largest)

https://www.amazon.com/Chattanooga-Therapy-Polyurethane-X-Large-Oversized/dp/B000QFZRNE

As for the bottle it’s a 2 liter bottle frozen and I just leave it along a wall or flooring spot he flops on and he’ll lean on it

[aswain6]

Thank you!! I’ll definitely be investing in one of these!

[Author]

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