Signs of a Rabbit's Labor: What to Look Out For

One: Signs of a Doe's Labor

Before giving birth, it's quite evident that most does exhibit several distinct signs. Typically, a few days prior to labor, their breasts swell significantly, and milk can be expressed upon gentle squeezing. As the time of delivery approaches, the doe's appetite diminishes, and she may eat less or even stop eating altogether. Some does may start to pull fur to create a nest one or two days before giving birth. It's crucial for the owner to prepare a nest for the doe to use for nesting purposes.

Two: The Doe's Delivery Process

During labor, the doe may become restless, showing signs such as digging at the ground with her paws, stamping her feet, arching her back, and expelling amniotic fluid. She will soon adopt a doglike lying position, allowing the kits, along with the placenta, to be delivered sequentially. While in labor, the doe will bite off the umbilical cords of the kits and consume the placentas, as well as lick away any blood and mucus from the kits. After delivery, the doe will jump out of the nesting box to drink water, so it's essential for the owner to provide warm water with a small amount of sugar to prevent her from eating the kits due to thirst. Once wellfed and hydrated, the doe with strong maternal instincts will return to the nesting box to nurse her kits.

Although rabbits are a polyovulatory species, their delivery time is relatively short. Generally, a doe can complete the delivery within 20 to 30 minutes. If the kits are intended for breeding purposes, the owner should weigh them before the doe starts nursing to record their weight as part of the doe's reproductive performance and breeding records.

During labor, it's important for the owner to maintain a quiet environment around the rabbit hutch to avoid startling the doe. This is crucial to prevent the doe from jumping out of the nesting box, which can lead to dystocia or stillbirth. It can also cause the lactating doe to refuse to nurse, potentially leading to the death of the newborn kits from not receiving colostrum, and it can complicate later management.

Most does deliver naturally without the need for assistance. In cases of abnormal pregnancy, appropriate measures should be taken. If a doe has not given birth after 31 days of pregnancy or if she is unable to deliver due to insufficient strength, artificial induction of labor or hormonal induction may be necessary. A dose of 3 to 4 units of human oxytocin injection can be administered intramuscularly, which typically triggers delivery within about 10 minutes. However, if dystocia is due to an incorrect fetal position, hormonal induction should not be used. Instead, the fetal position should be corrected first before proceeding with hormonal treatment.

That concludes Dr. Oxygen Pet's overview of the signs leading up to a doe's labor and the delivery process. We hope this information is helpful, assisting does in a smooth delivery and welcoming kits into the world in good health!