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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Potentially Pregnant

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    • Bunnisox
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        I would first off like to say that I feel absolutely horrible, and incredibly irresponsible for letting my 2 bonded rabbits go un-fixed; but please try to understand the ONLY reason I did not have them fixed was because I was so terrified of any issues that could result from the medical procedure; I have a bad habit of reading up on things too much (ie: what can go wrong during a spay). That, combinded with the fact that my female rabbit is incredibly dominant and won’t even let the male get anywhere even NEAR her backside – it just seemed impossible for her to get pregnant, to me. So I decided it wasn’t worth the risk of a complicated surgery/recovery process. That being said, I made the wrong choice, and I regret letting fear get the best of me. I won’t ever make this mistake again.

        About 4-5 days ago, she started acting more “aggresive” or irritated with everyone in the household. Normally, when she is up on our bed, digging @ our sheets, I can go over and pet her and kiss her and scratch her butt, and she doesn’t mind; but about 4 days ago, she was not having any of it. Lunging at me when I tried to pet her, and she nipped me. I thought it was just hormones, and had let it go… until last night. I put her away into her bunny condo last night and gave her dinner and fresh water and hay, like any other night, but when I went to check on them before bed, she had completely DESTROYED her condo! Hay was everwhere, she was digging maniacally in one of her hidey boxes, and then, she started grabbing huge mouthfulls of hay and bringing them into her hidey box. *sigh* As soon as I seen this behavior, my heart sank, and I got knots in my stomach.

        Today, she is pretty lethargic. She has been eating a lot more hay than usual, but doesn’t seem to have much interest in anything else. She isn’t running around like usual. I’ve spent about 5 hours straight this morning laying with her out in our livingroom, petting and kissing her and she’s flopped a few times from contentment. She seems happy enough.. but the lethargy concerns me.

        I’ve also separated her from her bonded male mate, for now.

        I called my vet this morning, and the receptionist said she would return my call sometime today – but I haven’t heard back from her yet.

        I attempted to feel her belly today for any signs of something out of the usual – but everything felt normal. I typically give my buns belly massage when they’re gassy, so I know what their bellies feel like, and this time it felt the same as it always has. I was a little relieved — until I realized, I’m probably not feeling in the right area. The babies are probably in the lower quarters, no? I’ve done a ton of online research today and have seen videos and tutorials of how to palpate a bunny – but they all look like they’re making the rabbit so uncomfortable, and I would rather not do that to my rabbit. So I sat her down in front of me like I normally do for belly massage, and when I tried to feel lower than normal, almost near her backside / between her hind legs, I felt a very large green-grape sized hard lump on the right side. I couldn’t get a good feel on it to be sure of anything, and I couldn’t feel for the other side, because as soon as I touched that area, she was up and gone and gave me the look like “Dont you ever do that again to me!”

        I don’t know what I felt. Maybe it was a normal piece of her insides? It was right up against her right back leg almost.

        I know there are such things as false or phantom pregnancies, and I am SINCERELY hoping that this is the case. I’ve made a promise to myself that after this ordeal is over, she’s going in to be spayed, no matter what. I’ve also promised myself that because I’m responsible for this situation, if she is pregnant, and the babies survive, I will keep them and take care of them as family (and will be sure to spay/neuter them!).

        My concern is: she is a 4 year old Netherland Dwarf who has never been pregnant before. I know there are complications with the birthing process of this breed already, but for her to be that age, as well – I’m terrified that I will lose her in this process. Someone in one of my rabbit groups online mentioned the possibility of taking her in to the vet for a spay / abortion. While the thought of this process and what it means, is upsetting, I am more concerned with the safety of my rabbit and what I can do to make sure she is going to be okay.

        I’m looking for any suggestions, ideas, tips, or other information that anyone might have about this situation. Of course, I’m going to take into serious consideration what my vet advises me to do – but I know people that have had rabbits for a very long time, sometimes know better than some vets do – and I was hoping to get as wide of a range of information/suggestions as possible before I make my decision.

        Thank you, in advance, for any help you may provide for me and my bunny.


      • Wick & Fable
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          The vet will be able to better gauge, but something to consider is aggressive reactions due to being in pain. Considering her age, an unspayed female has a very high chance of developing cancer around 4-5 years old. But I agree that the nesting behavior is more so indicative of a pregnancy or false one.

          It takes a lot to admit your mistakes, and doing it on a forum is definitely commendable. Your quick jump to action (contacting the vet) and laying out all the information is also a sign of a caring owner, not one out to neglect or mistreat.

          For now, making sure she’s comfortable and collecting other information may be helpful. Look at her poops, pees, and how her activity fluctuates until you can see the vet.

          Since hormones seem to be surging, it may be best separate the two for a while, though I’d prefer someone with bonded rabbits give you that suggestion since Wick is a solo rabbit, thus I have no experience.

          Stay strong, monitor, and try not to best yourself up too much. Be present on what’s happening now so you can be extra attentive and loving to her in this stressful time!

          Best wishes!

          The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.


        • DanaNM
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            My understanding is that if rabbits have not given birth before the age or 1, their hips fuse and they will die giving birth.

            If that is correct, an emergency spay is really your only option if she is pregnant (and will protect her against future cancer).

            . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  


          • DanaNM
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              Also, PLEASE stop trying to palpate and feel for the babies. You risk seriously hurting her. Get her to the vet asap.

              . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  


            • Boing
              Participant
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                Hi Bunnisox,

                Sorry to hear that this may have happened. I would go with what the vet recommends, if I were you. I know nothing about rabbit litters, but wanted to write an encouraging message. I agree with Wick – it takes courage to write what you have just written, especially on a forum with the focus of this one. Good luck!


              • Bunnisox
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                  Thank you all for your words – whether kind and encouraging, or stern and truthful.

                  I’ve heard back from my vet and I’m taking her in for an emergency visit tonight in about an hour. They have offered to do either ultrasound or xray to determine if she is pregnant, then we will proceed from there depending on the results. I am unsure why they are offering me the option of either, I would imagine they would know what is best in this type of situation; and I don’t know if I am able to make the right choice. I’m also very scared of stressing her out now, because of the long car ride and the actual vet visit. I am hoping everything goes well.


                • Bunnisox
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                    Just got back from the vet, and great news – she’s not pregnant! She got fully checked out teeth to tail and she is 100% healthy! *whew*

                    I made an appointment to get her spayed @ the end of the month, as well.

                    I’m so thankful. It feels like the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders and I can breathe again!


                  • DanaNM
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                      Excellent!

                      . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  


                    • sarahthegemini
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                        I have to say I am incredibly surprised that she isn’t or hasn’t been pregnant in all the time she’s been with her mate. That is quite a shocker! Please get them both spayed and neutered though, it really would be for the best


                      • Bam
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                          Yay! Great news =)


                        • tobyluv
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                            That’s very good news! A pregnancy can occur if unaltered rabbits are together for just a few seconds, and any mating may not be noticed by owners. That’s why it’s important that rabbits cannot be together for any length of time, once they have reached or neared the age of puberty. You also don’t want any fighting, which is very likely to occur, and can result in severe injuries.


                          • Deleted User
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                              Great news that she isn’t pregnant. Do get both neutered though!
                              Normally a doe will tell you if she is pregnant by grunting at the buck if he is near her cage.


                            • Bunnisox
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                                They’ve been together since birth for 4.5 years now, they’re brother and sister. They’ve never fought (except she does chase him around a bit sometimes), he’s never shown any interest in mounting her, either. The only mounting we’ve ever seen is sometimes when he refuses to groom her face, she will mount his face, lol (this is when the chasing ensues for a few seconds). These circumstances are strange indeed, then, considering everything you guys have been saying.

                                Regardless, we will for sure be getting her spayed soon, even though it terrifies me to no end.

                                Serious question, though.. why the necessity to get the male neutered, if my female already is? I know there are health benefits for the female being fixed, but I’ve never heard of any for the male?

                                Thank you!


                              • Deleted User
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                                  They would both need neutering. If you don’t neuter the male he will spray urine and constantly mount and harrass her. If you don’t spay the doe she will become aggressive towards both the buck and you. Not to mention the cancer risks. The fact that she has shown some aggressive might indicate she is feeling cheesed off, and the fact that they are brother and sister may delay fights and aggression, but sooner or later they just become two rabbits of opposite sex.


                                • Sleepy
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                                    It helps with the hormones. It helps prevent males from getting frustrated and helps lessen effect of spring time rush of hormones.

                                    Plus, if you’re getting your female spayed, she’s going to have a lower sex drive. If you want to rebond them, the difference in sex drive may cause conflict between them because he’ll be more likely to harass her for it, if not cause the frustration to rub off on her.


                                  • LittlePuffyTail
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                                      Glad to hear she is not pregnant and you’ve scheduled a spay.


                                    • jerseygirl
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                                        I hope your vet is right and it is just a false pregnancy.
                                         

                                        Rabbits are called induced ovulators so they only release an egg after they have been bred. It’s possible her mounting your other rabbits head was enough to bring this on.. She’s also getting older and the risk of uterine cancer increases with age. Even some changes already occuring in uterine tissue may bring about a false pregnancy. So, despite the scare you have had, maybe this happening was all for the best so you can get her checked out? 

                                        During a real or phantom pregnancy, there is an increase blood supply to the uterus, so it is safer to wait until a few weeks after a false pregnancy has resolved before a spay.(This is just info by a rabbit vet that I read one time. You might like to chat to your own vet to verify).

                                        Like Sarah, Im really surprised there hasn’t been babies already if this pair has been together for over 4 years. Are you certain the male is a male???? It’s not impossible that the male has just not been hormonally driven, but just seems very unlikely.


                                      • Rain
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                                          Phew! I’m really glad that she isn’t pregnant! That was some quick action you took there. You are a great and caring owner.
                                          If you do get both fixed, (which is for the best because of what was said above) then make sure to still seperate them for a while. I’d get the female fixed first, because males have viable sperm for a while still after a neuter.
                                          Your other rabbit could possibly be a female. My dwarf rabbit is not identified yet. I was told Rain is a he but…nothing down there. Unfortunately pet stores often don’t have rabbit experts who tell the gender right. Although, my friend who bought a bunny from there did get a male as they told her. Have you checked to see if there are testicles hanging from down below the male? Your vet could tell you. Sometimes there are some crazy cases with genders. Usually, rabbits mate right away. Especially within years.

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                                      Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Potentially Pregnant